Effectiveness of biofeedback therapy on irritable bowel syndrome symptoms and mind rumination

BACKGROUND: Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are prone to certain physical and mental problems. This study was conducted with the aim to determine the effectiveness of biofeedback on the severity of IBS symptoms and mind rumination in people with IBS. METHODS: The present research was conducted with a pretest-posttest design, a control group, and one-month budget follow-up. The population of this study included all people with IBS who were referred to specialized gastrointestinal clinics in Tehran, Iran, in 2019. Considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 30 volunteers were selected and 15 of them were randomly placed in experimental group 1 (biofeedback) and 15 in the control group. A standardized questionnaire for assessing the severity of IBS symptoms and a rumination questionnaire were used in the pretest, posttest, and follow-up stages. In this study, participants in the experimental group received 8 sessions of biofeedback or biofeedback relaxation. For data analysis, SPSS software was used. RESULTS: Intervention in the biofeedback group reduced the severity of IBS symptoms and rumination in patients with IBS and this improvement continued until the follow-up stage (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: To better and more effectively improve patients with IBS, psychological therapies are required. These therapies require the cooperation of gastroenterologists, psychologists, and psychiatrists.