A Six-month Study to Compare Outcome Differences and Visceral Response ... Irritable Bowel Syndrome

A Six-Month Study to Compare Outcome Differences and Visceral Response in Subjects Randomized to a Psychological Intervention for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of participation in one of the following interventions: (1) IBS Stress Management; (2) IBS Symptom Management; or (3) IBS Educational Training on improving IBS associated symptoms. It is anticipated that this research will provide information on the usefulness of psychological approaches in treating IBS and will help scientists better understand the disorder.

If randomly assigned to this intervention, the session with the therapist will consist of training about IBS symptoms and their relationship to stress, as well as skills training in relaxation and ways of identifying and challenging mistaken thoughts about life events. The goal of this treatment is to lessen mental and physical stressful reactions to daily events, and therefore lessen IBS symptoms as a reaction to stress. The patient will be encouraged to apply relaxation skills to stressful situations.

If assigned to this group, the therapist will discuss feelings, over-attention to IBS symptoms, and your fear of IBS symptoms. Patients will learn how to identify thoughts that may increase your IBS symptoms and will practice how to change these thoughts to ones that make them feel more comfortable. The sessions will focus on reactions to daily life that in turn result in IBS Symptoms.

Those assigned to this group will be given educational materials about IBS and will discuss the reading material with the therapist. The reading topics include information on gut disorders, anatomy and physiology of the gut, assessment procedures, and how to manage IBS symptoms. Sessions will also consist of weekly reviews of daily records and IBS symptoms. The goal of this intervention is to provide educational training about IBS.

Inclusion Criteria: Irritable Bowel Syndrome Exclusion Criteria: GI pathology (organic disease) that affects bowel transit Co-morbid pain disorders Current or recent history (within 24 months) of drug or alcohol abuse Clinical evidence (including physical exam, laboratory tests) of significant medical disease that may interfere with the patient successfully completing the trial Planned use of drugs or agents that affect GI motility and/or perception

Craske MG, Wolitzky-Taylor KB, Labus J, Wu S, Frese M, Mayer EA, Naliboff BD. A cognitive-behavioral treatment for irritable bowel syndrome using interoceptive exposure to visceral sensations. Behav Res Ther. 2011 Jun;49(6-7):413-21. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2011.04.001. Epub 2011 Apr 19.