Mindfulness training may help with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, study finds

A recent study of adult women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) found that an 8‑week mindfulness training program led to significantly lower IBS symptoms at 6 and 12 months after the training. Additionally, anxiety and depression symptoms improved in this group. The study was published in Mindfulness.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a common digestive disorder that affects the large intestine. It causes symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. Although the exact cause of IBS is unknown, factors such as stress, diet, and an imbalance of gut bacteria are believed to contribute to the condition. Individuals with IBS may experience symptom flare-ups triggered by certain foods or emotional stress.

Currently, there is no cure for IBS, but lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, and stress management can help control symptoms. Some individuals benefit from probiotics, fiber supplements, or medications prescribed by a doctor. Regular physical activity and adequate hydration also play a role in managing IBS. Because symptoms vary among individuals, treatments are often personalized based on specific triggers and needs.

Study author Susan A. Gaylord and her colleagues aimed to explore how mindfulness training might help alleviate IBS symptoms compared to a social support group—a standard psychological support treatment for this disorder. Their hypothesis was that mindfulness training would have a more lasting effect on IBS symptoms than the support group.

The study involved 75 adult women with IBS who did not have other serious somatic or mental health conditions. Sixty-six participants completed follow-up questionnaires at 6 and 12 months after treatment. Participants were randomly assigned to either the mindfulness training group or the social support group.

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Both intervention groups met in small groups for 2 hours once a week over an 8‑week period and participated in a half‑day “retreat” after the sixth session. The mindfulness intervention was delivered by an instructor with over 10 years of experience teaching the mindfulness‑based stress reduction program developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn. This version of mindfulness training was adapted to meet the needs of women with IBS.

Participants completed assessments measuring IBS symptoms (using the Irritable Bowel Symptom Severity Score), IBS‑related quality of life (the IBS‑Quality of Life scale), visceral sensitivity (the 15‑item Visceral Sensitivity Index), psychological distress (the Brief Symptom Inventory – 18), and mindfulness (the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire). These assessments were administered at enrollment, 2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. This analysis focused on the data collected at 6 and 12 months after the start of the study.

Results showed that 6 months after the start of the study, participants in the mindfulness training group had significantly lower IBS symptoms compared to those in the social support group. Although the difference between the two groups was smaller at 12 months, it still favored the mindfulness training group.

The mindfulness training group also showed improvements in visceral sensitivity at both 6 and 12 months, while no changes were observed in the social support group. Similarly, at 6 months, the mindfulness training group demonstrated improvements compared to baseline, whereas the social support group did not show substantial changes.

“Beneficial effects of an 8-week MT [mindfulness training] program tailored for IBS persist for up to 12 months after the training,” the study authors concluded.

While the study sheds light on the potential benefits of mindfulness training for managing IBS symptoms, it is important to note that the main outcomes were self‑reported. Participants were fully aware of the treatment they received and likely of the study authors’ expectations, which means that the Hawthorne effect could have influenced the results—some participants might have aligned their responses with what they believed the study authors expected to see.

The paper, “Mindfulness Training Has Long‑Term Therapeutic Benefits in Women With Irritable Bowel Syndrome,” was authored by Susan A. Gaylord, Olafur S. Palsson, Eric L. Garland, John Douglas Mann, Karen Bluth, William Whitehead, and Keturah R. Faurot.