Exposure and mindfulness based therapy for irritable bowel syndrome--an open pilot study.
We conducted a study of a group therapy based on exposure and mindfulness in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Out of 49 outpatients, most of whom were referred from gastroenterological clinics, 34 entered into the 10-week treatment. Patients were assessed before, immediately after and 6 months after treatment. The assessments consisted of a gastrointestinal symptom diary, self-report questionnaires covering quality of life, gastrointestinal specific anxiety, general functioning, and a psychiatric interview. At post-treatment, the mean reduction in symptoms was 41% and 50% of patients showed clinically significant improvement in symptom level. Patients also showed marked improvement on other outcome measures. Treatment gains were maintained at follow-up. The results support the use of exposure and mindfulness based strategies in the treatment of IBS, but further randomised studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of the treatment.
Ljótsson
Brjánn
B
Center for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. brjann.ljotsson@ki.se
Andréewitch
Sergej
S
Hedman
Erik
E
Rück
Christian
C
Andersson
Gerhard
G
Lindefors
Nils
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007171:Implosive Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D019122:Meditation / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life