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Date of Award

Spring 2021

Degree Name

Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant)

Department

Physician Assistant; College of Health Sciences

First Advisor

Allison Ermol, PA-C, MMS

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is defined as persistent abdominal pain present at least one day per week, along with bowel movement issues, change in stool frequency, and/or changes in stool appearance. The mainstay of IBS treatment often involves antispasmodics and antidiarrheals, depending on the type of IBS, as well as some form of dietary manipulation, such as a low-FODMAP diet. Nevertheless, these interventions do not always provide adequate relief, pose considerable costs, and in terms of the low-FODMAP diet, can be quite restrictive and difficult to modify. Given the significance of the brain-gut axis in IBS, cognitive therapy could serve as an essential part of treatment. However, few studies, if any, directly compare the effects of some form of cognitive therapy with the other aforementioned therapies. As a result, this review analyzes the use of cognitive therapy in adults (ages 18-75) with various types of IBS, and whether it provides similar or greater symptom relief as compared to standard first line treatments (dietary manipulation and antispasmodics/antidiarrheals).

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The Role of Cognitive Therapy in Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is defined as persistent abdominal pain present at least one day per week, along with bowel movement issues, change in stool frequency, and/or changes in stool appearance. The mainstay of IBS treatment often involves antispasmodics and antidiarrheals, depending on the type of IBS, as well as some form of dietary manipulation, such as a low-FODMAP diet. Nevertheless, these interventions do not always provide adequate relief, pose considerable costs, and in terms of the low-FODMAP diet, can be quite restrictive and difficult to modify. Given the significance of the brain-gut axis in IBS, cognitive therapy could serve as an essential part of treatment. However, few studies, if any, directly compare the effects of some form of cognitive therapy with the other aforementioned therapies. As a result, this review analyzes the use of cognitive therapy in adults (ages 18-75) with various types of IBS, and whether it provides similar or greater symptom relief as compared to standard first line treatments (dietary manipulation and antispasmodics/antidiarrheals).