Positive Health Online

Abstract

KEEFER and BLANCHARD, The University of Albany, State University of New York, Center for Stress and Anxiety Disorders, 12203, USA, tested the relaxation response meditation program (H. Benson, 1975) as a possible treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Background

Methodology

16 adults with IBS were matched into pairs based on presence of Axis I disorder, primary IBS symptoms and demographic features and randomized to either a 6-week meditation condition or a 6-week wait list symptom monitoring condition. Patients assigned to the meditation condition were taught the meditation technique and asked to practise it for 15 minutes twice a day. Composite Primary IBS Symptom Reduction (CPSR) scores were calculated for each subject from end of baseline to 2 weeks post-treatment or post-wait list. All subjects assigned to the wait list were subsequently treated.

Results

13 subjects completed the initial study treatment/wait list symptom monitoring and follow-up. Meditation was found to be significantly superior to control (p=0.04; one-tailed independent-sample t-tests). In the meditation group, there were significant within-subject improvements for flatulence (p=0.03) and belching (p=0.02) post-treatment. At 3 months' follow-up, symptoms diaries of subjects revealed significant improvements in flatulence (p=0.01), belching (p=0.02), bloating (p=0.05) and diarrhoea (p=0.03) in the meditation group; constipation also showed a trend towards improvement (p=0.07).

Conclusion

Benson's relaxation response meditation appears to be a viable treatment for IBS .

References

Keefer L, Blanchard EB. The effects of relaxation response meditation on the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome: results of a controlled treatment study. Behaviour Research and Therapy 39 (7): 801-11. Jul 2001.