Mindfulness-based stress reduction in patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

The Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the most prevalent conditions in the
field of gastroenterology, and is characterised by
stomach pains, together with changes in defecation patterns, without the
presence of physical deviations.
A treatment is not available at the moment, and there is no evidence to
indicate a pathophysiological mechanism. One of the hypothesised mechanisms is
the presence of emotional stress. However, psychotherapy or behavioural therapy
have not yet been succesful in treating IBS symptoms.

the aim of the current pilot investigation is to examine the effectiveness of
mindfulness based stress reduction in reducing stress levels in IBS patients,
as well as the effects of the training on IBS symptom severity and quality of
life in these patients.

This pilot intervention study has an open rendomised design with a treatment
group and a waiting list control group. The training period is 2 months. Before
and after the intervention both groups fill out a questionnaire regarding IBS
symptioms and psychological factors. When the intervention group is done, the
training is given to the waiting list control group. They fill out the
questionnaires again, both at the start and end of the intervention.

The intervention is mindfulness based meditation. Participants learn to have an
open and nonjudgmental way of viewing events that are happening, including
their own disturbing thoughts and feelings. They learn not to identify with
these mental events, but to just observe them nonjudgmentally and let them go.
This is accomplished by means of simple meditation techniques, such as zazen
(mindful sitting and breathing), during which a sensory stimulus, such as the
movement of breath, is used as a anchor in the present moment which is attended
to. At the same time one is open for other events that take place, especially
mental events, which are noticed and let go. The training is provided in a
group of 20 individuals, while another group serves as a waiting-list control
group. The training consists of four sessions of four hours with the following
time intervals in between: 1, 2, and 2 weeks. One of the important behavioral
goals of the training is to bring about daily meditation practice in
participants, which is continued after the training has ended. During the
training, participants will continue their usual treatment.

There's no risk involved in this study