Non-medical treatment may rapidly relieve severe IBS symptoms

[bananas]

http://www.scienceblog.com/cms/non-medical-treatment-may-rapidly-relieve-severe-ibs-symptoms.html

Non-medical treatment may rapidly relieve severe IBS symptoms

A significant proportion of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients treated with cognitive behavior therapy have a positive response within four weeks of treatment, according to a new study in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute.

"Patients who quickly achieve treatment gains -- for example, IBS symptom relief -- may be spared the cost and inconvenience of follow-up care of little therapeutic value. This scenario may lead to the development of self-guided treatments based on multimedia technology, such as Web, DVD and smartphone, and free up trained clinicians to focus on more severely affected patients," said Jeffrey M. Lackner, PsyD, of the University at Buffalo, SUNY, and lead author of the study. "Conversely, 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 treatment(s) rather than bearing the cost, demoralization and frustration that comes with treatment failure."

<snip>

Of patients undergoing cognitive behavior therapy, 30 percent were rapid responders, of whom 90 percent to 95 percent maintained gains at the immediate and three-month follow-up examinations. Although the rapid responders reported more severe IBS symptoms at baseline, they achieved more substantial, sustained IBS symptom reduction than non-rapid responders. Both dosages of cognitive behavior therapy had comparable rates of rapid responders.

"We don't believe the rapidity of response is simply because rapid responders had less severe IBS when they began treatment. In fact, rapid responders had more severe IBS symptoms and quality of life impairment than other patients. Nor did we find evidence to support the notion that patients responded more rapidly just because they were less distressed," added Dr. Lackner. "Further research is needed to clarify whether rapid responders maintain treatment response longer term and, if so, what drives the durability of treatment response."

The great majority of rapid responders (92 percent) showed lasting benefit that persisted three months after treatment ended with no evidence of deterioration. This suggests that rapid response is a relatively robust, clinically meaningful and enduring clinical phenomenon. In fact, rapid responders maintained or continued to improve on the gains made in treatment.

<snip>

http://www.cghjournal.org/article/S1542-3565%2810%2900147-3/abstract

Volume 8, Issue 5, Pages 426-432 (May 2010)

Rapid Response to Cognitive Behavior Therapy Predicts Treatment Outcome in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Jeffrey M. LacknerCorresponding Author Informationemail address, Gregory D. Gudleski‡, Laurie Keefer§, Susan S. Krasner∥, Cathrine Powell, Leonard A. Katz

published online 18 February 2010.

Background & Aims

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is an empirically validated treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), yet it is unclear for whom and under what circumstances it is most effective. We investigated whether patients who achieved a positive response soon after CBT onset (by week 4), termed rapid responders (RRs), maintain treatment gains compared with non–rapid responders. We also characterized the psychosocial profile of RRs on clinically relevant variables (eg, health status, IBS symptom severity, distress).

Methods

The study included 71 individuals (age, 18–70 y) whose IBS symptoms were consistent with Rome II criteria and were of at least moderate severity. Patients were assigned randomly to undergo a wait list control; 10 weekly 1-hour sessions of CBT; or four 1-hour CBT sessions over 10 weeks. RRs were classified as patients who reported adequate relief of pain, adequate relief of bowel symptoms, and a decrease in total IBS severity scores of 50 or greater by week 4.

Results

Of patients undergoing CBT, 30% were RRs; 90% to 95% of the RRs maintained gains at the immediate and 3-month follow-up examinations. Although the RRs reported more severe IBS symptoms at baseline, they achieved more substantial, sustained IBS symptom reduction than non–rapid responders. Both dosages of CBT had comparable rates of RR.

Conclusions

A significant proportion of IBS patients treated with CBT have a positive response within 4 weeks of treatment; these patients are more likely to maintain treatment gains than patients without a rapid response. A rapid response is not contingent on the amount of face-to-face contact with a clinician.

[TZ]

1. IBS is a stress related disease.

Thats been obvious for years.So CBT of course will help. As will treatment for anxiety and depression and panic attacks. But there is an organic component too.
The mythology of "just eat right and relax" isn't true for everyone either. IBS has a genetic component actually.

[formercia]

2. Turmeric

A very effective anti-inflammatory. It's been used for Centuries in India and elsewhere. It works for me.

[druidity33]

3. Medical MJ works for me...

tried Turmeric, didn't seem to have an affect on me.

Since becoming a "regular" imbiber, symptoms have all but disappeared... and the side effects are all pleasant.

:shrug:

[druidity33]

4. thanks for the links! K&R, nt.