A Pilot Study of Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome and the Gut Microbiome

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

TERMINATED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

6 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2015-08-31

Study Completion Date

2015-12-31

Brief Summary

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This study evaluates the effectiveness of a group cognitive behaviour therapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in decreasing symptoms of IBS, improving quality of life, and normalizing the gut microbiome. Patients will complete an 11-week group cognitive behaviour therapy for IBS within 1 month of being deemed eligible for the study.

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Detailed Description

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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic, disabling functional gastrointestinal disorder that is characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort and a disturbance in bowel habit. Approximately five million Canadians currently suffer with this chronic illness, which can have a significant impact on work and school absenteeism, productivity, social functioning and quality of life (Fedorak et al., 2012). Although the etiology of IBS is still unclear, there is increased interest in the role of the gut-brain axis in the development and maintenance of IBS. A growing body of evidence has identified changes in the composition, temporal stability and metabolic activity of the gut microbiome in IBS (Bolino \& Bercik, 2010). Moreover, there is evidence for bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain, such that the gut microbiota appear to influence as well as be modulated by brain activity through neurohumoral mechanisms (Collins, Surette, \& Bercik, 2012).

Currently, medications are the most widely used treatment for IBS (Ford et al., 2009; Ford et al., 2014). Although there is good evidence for the effectiveness of medications in reducing IBS symptomatology and improving quality of life, these medications are also often associated with unpleasant side effects. As a result, there is a growing interest in the utilization of psychological treatments, including cognitive behaviour therapy, for IBS. Cognitive behaviour therapy is a psychotherapeutic approach that addresses maladaptive cognitive processes and behaviours in a systematic, explicit fashion. Although there is good evidence for the effectiveness of cognitive behaviour therapy for the treatment of IBS (Ford et al., 2009; Ford et al., 2014), there is a lack of research examining the mechanisms through which cognitive behaviour therapy influences symptoms of IBS.

Accordingly, the current study has three aims: 1) to evaluate the effectiveness of group cognitive behaviour therapy for IBS on IBS symptomatology and quality of life; 2) to examine whether there are any changes in the gut microbiome from pre to posttreatment; and 3) to examine whether changes in the gut microbiome following cognitive behaviour therapy mediate changes in IBS symptomatology and quality of life. The current study has the potential of increasing knowledge about the role of the gut microbiome in IBS as well as the mechanisms of cognitive behaviour therapy for IBS.

Conditions

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NA

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Group Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

Patients will complete an 11-session group cognitive behaviour therapy for IBS that will be led by two clinicians, one of whom will be a registered clinical psychologist, at the Digestive Diseases Clinic at McMaster University Medical Centre. The group cognitive behaviour therapy will include weekly 2-hour sessions for 11 weeks. Sessions will cover the following topics: psychoeducation about IBS and the role of stress in exacerbating IBS symptoms, progressive muscle relaxation, stress management, problem solving, identifying and modifying maladaptive thinking patterns, decreasing behavioural avoidance, and exposure to feared physical sensations.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Group Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

This 11-week group treatment will cover the following topics: psychoeducation about IBS and the role of stress in exacerbating IBS symptoms, progressive muscle relaxation, stress management, problem solving, identifying and modifying maladaptive thinking patterns, decreasing behavioural avoidance, and exposure to feared physical sensations.

Interventions

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Group Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

This 11-week group treatment will cover the following topics: psychoeducation about IBS and the role of stress in exacerbating IBS symptoms, progressive muscle relaxation, stress management, problem solving, identifying and modifying maladaptive thinking patterns, decreasing behavioural avoidance, and exposure to feared physical sensations.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome
* Able to commit to attending weekly 2-hour group sessions for 12 weeks

Exclusion Criteria

* Use of antibiotics, or probiotics during the 4-week period prior to enrolling in the study
* Changes in medications during the 4-week period prior to enrolling in the study
* Presence of a major medical illness that may change the gut microbiome (e.g., any comorbid gastroenterological, rheumatological, or immunological disorder)
* Diagnosis of a major psychiatric disorder that is likely to impede participation in group therapy (e.g., depression with active suicidality, psychosis, or gross cognitive impairment)
* Received psychotherapy for IBS within the past 5 years
* Inability to read or complete symptom diaries or questionnaires
* Inability or unwillingness to provide or sign informed consent

Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

70 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No