A Pilot Feasibility Study of an Unguided, Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: PILOT STUDY OF AN INTERNET CBT PROGRAM FOR IBS

TY - JOUR

T1 - A Pilot Feasibility Study of an Unguided, Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

T2 - PILOT STUDY OF AN INTERNET CBT PROGRAM FOR IBS

AU - Owusu, Jocelynn T

AU - Sibelli, Alice

AU - Moss-Morris, Rona

AU - van Tilburg, Miranda A.L.

AU - Levy, Rona L

AU - Oser, Megan

PY - 2020/12/30

Y1 - 2020/12/30

N2 - Background: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is linked with lower health-related quality of life. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) designed for IBS management can improve outcomes but further research of more accessible implementations of this treatment approach for IBS is needed. This study assessed the feasibility of a web-delivered CBT program among adults with IBS to apply to a future clinical trial. Methods: Twenty-five participants were randomized to receive an unguided web-based, CBT program for IBS. The primary outcome was changes in IBS symptom severity (IBS-Symptom Severity Scale [IBS-SSS]). Secondary outcomes included IBS-specific CBT therapeutic mechanisms of change (GI-specific anxiety, unhelpful IBS behaviors, and GI-focused cognitions) and changes in depressive (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9]) and anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale [GAD-7]) symptom severity. Key Results: The average baseline IBS-SSS score was 296.3 (SD=100.9), indicative of moderate IBS severity. IBS symptoms significantly improved at 2-month (p<0.001) and 3-month follow-up (p<0.0001); the within-group effect size between baseline and 3-month follow-up IBS-SSS scores was large (d=1.14); and 63.6% experienced a clinically meaningful improvement. GI-specific anxiety symptoms and cognitions significantly improved at 2-month follow-up, as did unhelpful IBS safety behaviors. Additionally, clinically meaningful improvement was observed in depressive and anxiety symptoms at 3-month follow-up among participants with symptoms above the clinical threshold (i.e., PHQ-910 and GAD-710, respectively) at baseline. Conclusions & Inferences: These preliminary findings warrant a larger trial to investigate unguided, web-based CBT for IBS symptom management, that is powered to detect between-group treatment effects.

AB - Background: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is linked with lower health-related quality of life. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) designed for IBS management can improve outcomes but further research of more accessible implementations of this treatment approach for IBS is needed. This study assessed the feasibility of a web-delivered CBT program among adults with IBS to apply to a future clinical trial. Methods: Twenty-five participants were randomized to receive an unguided web-based, CBT program for IBS. The primary outcome was changes in IBS symptom severity (IBS-Symptom Severity Scale [IBS-SSS]). Secondary outcomes included IBS-specific CBT therapeutic mechanisms of change (GI-specific anxiety, unhelpful IBS behaviors, and GI-focused cognitions) and changes in depressive (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9]) and anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale [GAD-7]) symptom severity. Key Results: The average baseline IBS-SSS score was 296.3 (SD=100.9), indicative of moderate IBS severity. IBS symptoms significantly improved at 2-month (p<0.001) and 3-month follow-up (p<0.0001); the within-group effect size between baseline and 3-month follow-up IBS-SSS scores was large (d=1.14); and 63.6% experienced a clinically meaningful improvement. GI-specific anxiety symptoms and cognitions significantly improved at 2-month follow-up, as did unhelpful IBS safety behaviors. Additionally, clinically meaningful improvement was observed in depressive and anxiety symptoms at 3-month follow-up among participants with symptoms above the clinical threshold (i.e., PHQ-910 and GAD-710, respectively) at baseline. Conclusions & Inferences: These preliminary findings warrant a larger trial to investigate unguided, web-based CBT for IBS symptom management, that is powered to detect between-group treatment effects.

KW - Irritable Bowel Syndrome

KW - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

KW - Internet-based Intervention

KW - web-based intervention

M3 - Article

SN - 1350-1925

JO - Neurogastroenterology and Motility

JF - Neurogastroenterology and Motility

ER -