Psychological treatments for irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Jeffrey M Lackner; Christina Mesmer; Stephen Morley; Clare Dowzer; Simon Hamilton

doi:10.1037/0022-006X.72.6.1100

Psychological treatments for irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

J Consult Clin Psychol. 2004 Dec;72(6):1100-13. doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.72.6.1100.

Authors

Jeffrey M Lackner¹, Christina Mesmer, Stephen Morley, Clare Dowzer, Simon Hamilton

Affiliation

¹ Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Erie County Medical Center, 462 Grider Street, Buffalo, NY 14215, USA. lackner@buffalo.edu

PMID: 15612856
DOI: 10.1037/0022-006X.72.6.1100

Abstract

This study conducted a systematic review to assess the quality of existing literature on psychological treatments for irritable bowel syndrome and to quantify the evidence for their efficacy. Three independent reviewers (2 from England, 1 from the United States) coded the quality of 32 studies, 17 of which provided data suitable for meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of efficacy data (50% reduction of symptoms) gave an odds ratio of 12 (95% confidence interval = 5.56-25.96) and a number needed to treat of 2. Psychological treatments are, as a class of interventions, effective in reducing symptoms compared with a pooled group of control conditions. Questions regarding the relative superiority of specific psychological treatments and influence of active versus nonspecific treatment effects remain unanswered.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
Review
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Irritable Bowel Syndrome / diagnosis
Irritable Bowel Syndrome / psychology
Irritable Bowel Syndrome / therapy*
Psychotherapy / methods*

Grants and funding

DK54211/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States