There are many treatments for irritable bowel syndrome, a disorder of the intestines that leads to abdominal pain and either constipation or diarrhea (or both). Among them are fiber supplements, antibiotics and a host of other medications. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) has also been shown to be help alleviate symptoms and now a new study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology has found that, in many people, it not only works, it works rapidly.
CBT employs a variety of psychology-based strategies such as visualization and calming self-talk. In the new study, 71 patients underwent 10 weekly, one-hour sessions of CBT or four, one-hour sessions over 10 weeks. Thirty percent of those undergoing either therapy were rapid respondersthat is, the reported adequate pain relief and relief of bowel symptoms by week four of treatment. The majority of the rapid responders had lasting benefits three months after treatment ended.
One of the benefits of the study is that it will help physicians determine which patientsrapid respondersmay be spared the cost and inconvenience of ongoing therapy when they dont really need it. "Conversely, says Jeffrey M. Lackner, PsyD, of the University at Buffalo, SUNY, and lead author of the study, patients who do not respond within a set number of sessions early on could be immediately identified and triaged or 'stepped up' to potentially more powerful treatments rather than bearing the cost, demoralization and frustration that comes with treatment failure."
Source: American Gastroenterological Association
