Psychotherapy for irritable bowels

Psychotherapy is effective in easing the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, researchers have found, even after therapy has ended.

Irritable bowel syndrome can cause diarrhea, cramping, fever and sometimes rectal bleeding. The chronic ailment affects up to 11 percent of the population, and there is no cure or completely effective treatment.

The study, in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, used data from 41 clinical trials that included 1,183 people assigned to psychotherapy and 1,107 controls. The approach was usually cognitive therapy, but some studies tested hypnotherapy, mindfulness,
behavioural therapy or dynamic psychotherapy. The studies used questionnaires at the start and end of the treatment, asking about severity and frequency of symptoms.

Overall, the researchers found that 12 months after the end of treatment, 75 per cent of the treatment group had greater symptom relief than the average member of the control group, although the benefits were modest.

“IBS is notoriously difficult to treat,” said the lead author, Kelsey T Laird, a doctoral candidate at Vanderbilt University, “so the fact that these effects are just as strong six to 12 months later is very exciting — a significant effect, which did not decrease over time.”
Whether a given individual will benefit from psychotherapy is still unknown, Kelsey said. But, she added, “We do know that this seems to be one of the best treatments out there. So, I would recommend it.”