Irritable Bowel Syndrome Improves with Cognitive Behavior Therapy
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A recent study indicates that Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) has a direct effect on overall improvement of gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), independent of its effects on distress. Improvement in IBS symptoms is linked to improvements in the quality of life, which may lower distress.
While multiple clinical trials support the value of psychological treatments for reducing IBS symptoms, researchers are still unclear of the mechanisms responsible for the reported improvements.
Studies found that a non-drug, behavioral self-management program (CBT) significantly improved primary symptoms of IBS, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, and/or constipation. Surprisingly, these improvements did not occur because patients became less distressed. Rather, their distress reduction was a result of their actual improvement in physical symptoms. These findings are impressive because they were found in some of the most challenging, and complex IBS cases.
These results suggest that patients who fail to respond to simple lifestyle changes like eliminating foods or medications should not grow hopeless but have confidence their condition is treatable, says Dr. Jeffrey M. Lackner. Patients can learn skills to take control and reduce their symptoms.
Source: Gastroenterology, August 2007
