Note: At the time this study was published, Cylinder was known as Vivante Health.
Vivante Health rebranded to Cylinder in 2024.
CHICAGO, October 26, 2023 – Nearly nine in 10 ethnically and socially diverse participants with chronic digestive ailments reported major symptom improvements within three months of using a digital digestive chronic care program, according to a Cylinder (formerly Vivante Health) study presented at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 2023 conference in Vancouver. Reductions in digestive symptoms were consistent for all participants regardless of ethnicity and other demographic factors, providing strong preliminary evidence of a successful strategy for advancing health equity.
The study included 659 participants enrolled in Cylinder’s digital digestive health program, which includes longitudinal app-based symptom tracking, personalized medical nutrition therapy, one-on-one health coaching, and online educational resources targeting specific user needs. Participants had access to the Cylinder platform through their employment benefits.
“Multiple studies have shown the ability of the Cylinder platform to relieve symptoms associated with digestive conditions, but this is the first study we have conducted that measures outcomes across racial and social groups,” said Dr. Hau Liu, Chief Medical Officer, Cylinder, and the lead study author. “The fact that symptom improvement is virtually identical for all demographics is an encouraging sign that digital digestive health programs can promote health equity at a time when healthcare providers are looking for strategies to overcome disparities in healthcare delivery.”
At enrollment, each study participant provided health history and symptom information via the Cylinder platform,, including ranking the severity of each of nine symptoms (abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, reflux, gas, nausea, vomiting, and loss of bowel control) on a scale of 0-5. Participants then logged their symptoms at baseline and during the course of their care via the app to track clinical progress and guide interventions.
Participants were 36% non-white and 78% female with an average age of 43.2 and an average BMI of 28, indicating that 63.5% were overweight or obese. At month 3:
89% of participants reported symptom improvement compared to baseline, with an average 64% decrease in total symptom score. 91% of participants who had scheduled consultations with the program’s dietitians or health coaches reported symptom improvement compared to 78% for those who did not. Symptom improvement was equivalent for all participants regardless of racial/ethnic group, age, gender and BMI.
“Nearly one in four Americans struggles with a digestive condition that affects his or her physical well-being, mental health, social life and work productivity. We clearly need better solutions that improve quality of life while also reducing medical expenses,” said Bill Snyder, CEO of Cylinder.“This latest study highlights the ability of a digital platform with a dedicated care team to address these issues while also meeting the needs of diverse populations.”
The new study follows the release of a smaller analysis of Cylinder’s digital digestive health program earlier this month at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Food & Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE) in Denver. In that study, which did not consider ethnicity or other demographic factors, 98% of participants who received video or phone counseling from the program’s registered dietitians reported improvements in their symptoms and quality of life and 88% were able to identify a new food, lifestyle or emotional trigger for their digestive issues.
A larger study is currently underway to more fully delineate how digestive symptoms and conditions vary by race, ethnicity and other social factors and the extent to which interventions like Cylinder are effective in treating them.
Additional information on the ACG study, Improvements in Digestive Symptoms after Participation in a Digital Digestive Chronic Care Program, can be found here. Additional information on the FNCE study, Deployment and Evaluation of an Integrated Digital Digestive Solution Deploying App-Base Telenutrition Services, can be found here.
About Cylinder
Founded in 2021 and offered as an employer benefit, Cylinder (formerly Vivante Health) delivers personalized, clinician-backed care to those suffering from digestive issues through its virtual health platform. Cylinder’s tech-forward, human-first program connects members to the right level of support at the right time through an easy interface – decreasing costs, reducing absenteeism, and improving their quality of life, at scale. Cylinder’s vision is to create a world where people receive convenient, personalized, and affordable access to the quality digestive healthcare they need to improve their overall health. Learn more at cylinderhealth.com.
