title: Irritable bowel syndrome treatment: cognitive behavioral therapy versus medical treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The study aims to investigate two kinds of treatment in patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and consequently compares its efficacy on improving the symptoms and mental health of patients; one with just medical treatment and another through a combination of psychotherapy and medical treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Applying general sampling, 50 IBS patients were selected from among those who used to refer to a Gastroenterology Clinic. After physical and mental evaluations based on ROME-II scale and SCL-90-R questionnaires, the subjects were randomly superseded into: the control group with medical treatment and, the case group with a combination of medical and psychological treatments. The acquired data were then analyzed through t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings show that the mental health of patients receiving cognitive behavioral therapy along with the medical treatment was higher than those of the control group at post-test level. It was observed that the therapy reduces the disability caused by IBS. Comparatively, while the cognitive therapy and medical treatments cured 80% of the patients, those receiving cognitive therapy alone showed an extensive reduction of symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering the role of cognitive behavioral therapy, it is therefore recommend that such patients be managed by a combined team of gastroenterologists and psychologists.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Buinzahra Branch, Iran.
authors.forename: Majid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mahvi-Shirazi
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fathi-Ashtiani
authors.forename: Sayed-Kazem
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Rasoolzade-Tabatabaei
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amini