Can Stress-Relieving Therapies Improve Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

A randomized study comparing the effects of stress-relieving therapies on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms found notable improvements in quality of life and gastrointestinal (GI) distress. The study revealed that adding walking and essential oils to standard IBS care significantly improved IBS-related quality of life (IBS-QOL) and general health, while reducing GI distress.

IBS is a common cause of abdominal pain and distress. However, clinical evaluations often yield no abnormal findings, leaving patients with few treatment options despite experiencing severe symptoms. These symptoms can significantly reduce quality of life, making it critical to explore alternative therapies that address both the psychological and physical aspects of IBS. This study sought to evaluate the efficacy of stress-relieving interventions in managing IBS symptoms and improving overall health outcomes.

In this randomized study, participants were assigned to either a standard care group or an intervention group, which involved engaging in stress-relief activities such as walking, listening to music, or using essential oils. The primary outcomes were measured using the IBS-QOL, GI distress, and general health questionnaires, administered at baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention. The study aimed to determine whether these stress-relieving therapies could provide additional benefits over standard care for individuals suffering from IBS.

The results showed that the intervention accounted for 20% of the variance in IBS-QOL scores, 19% of the variance in GI distress, and 27% of the variance in general health outcomes after adjusting for baseline scores. Notably, the walking and essential oils groups experienced significant improvements in IBS-QOL and general health, as well as a marked reduction in GI distress, compared to the standard care group.

The study was limited in the duration of its follow-up, which was relatively short at 6 weeks. Longer-term outcomes also were not assessed.

“Adding walking and essential oils to an established IBS treatment regimen can positively impact health and well-being,” the study authors concluded.

Reference

Lancsek L, Faber S, Rutledge C, et al. A randomized trial comparing standard treatment and stress-relieving therapies to improve irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. J Nurs Care Qual. 2024;39(1):58-66. doi:10.1097/NCQ.0000000000000725.