New Delhi – A new study released Friday offers fresh hope for the 5 % of people worldwide who live with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The research, published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, shows that behavioral therapies can significantly ease IBS pain and digestive symptoms.
IBS is an intestinal condition marked by abdominal pain and irregular bowel habits. While diet changes and drugs can help, they rarely provide full relief. Doctors now turn to brain‑gut behavioral therapies, and the latest study confirms they can work.
CBT and gut‑directed hypnotherapy win the test
The study reviewed 67 randomized controlled trials that included 7,441 patients from the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and India. Therapies were compared with standard care, education, or diet advice. Results were clear: cognitive‑behavioral therapy (CBT) and gut‑directed hypnotherapy (GDH) outperformed routine treatments.
Both approaches can be delivered face‑to‑face, via a smartphone app or online. CBT helps patients change thoughts and behaviors that worsen symptoms. GDH deepens patients into a relaxed trance, then guides them to feel their symptoms improving.
Prof. Alexander C. Ford, University of Leeds, said the study highlights the promise of brain‑gut behavioral therapies. “These treatments can truly help people manage IBS,” he noted.
What the study still needs
Although the evidence is encouraging, experts caution that confidence in other behavioral strategies—such as rewards‑based contingency management or general stress‑reduction techniques—remains limited. The authors urge larger, high‑quality trials to pinpoint who benefits most and to fine‑tune therapy protocols.
For now, the research suggests that adding CBT or gut‑directed hypnotherapy to a patient’s treatment plan could offer a significant boost in control over IBS, providing a valuable complement to diet and medication.
Source: ianslive
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
