A Randomized Trial Comparing Standard Treatment and Stress-Relieving Therapies to Improve Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether stress-relieving therapies, including essential oils, could improve IBS-related quality of life and reduce gastrointestinal distress.
Results Summary
The intervention, which included essential oils, explained 20% of the variance in IBS-QOL and 19% in GI distress, with general health improving by 27%. Essential oils, along with walking, minimized GI distress and improved well-being.
Population
Participants with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
6 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
stress-relieving therapies | neutral | IBS symptoms | - | - | was explored | #1 |
walking, music, and essential oils | neutral | IBS-QOL | Participants | 20% of the variance | explained | #2 |
walking, music, and essential oils | neutral | GI distress | Participants | 19% of the variance | explained | #3 |
walking, music, and essential oils | neutral | general health | Participants | 27% of the variance | explained | #4 |
walking and essential oils | increase | IBS-QOL | - | - | were improved | #5 |
walking and essential oils | increase | general health | - | - | were improved | #6 |
walking and essential oils | decrease | GI distress | - | - | minimized | #7 |
walking and essential oils | increase | health and well-being | - | - | can positively impact | #8 |
BACKGROUND: Abdominal pain is stressful, accounting for a large proportion of emergency and primary care visits. Clinical workups for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are often without abnormal findings and symptoms can be severe, diminishing patients' IBS-related quality of life (IBS-QOL). PURPOSE: The efficacy of stress-relieving therapies to manage IBS symptoms was explored. METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned to standard care or an intervention group (ie, walking, music, and essential oils). The IBS-QOL, gastrointestinal (GI) distress, and general health questionnaires were completed at baseline and 6-week visits. RESULTS: The intervention explained 20% of the variance for IBS-QOL, 19% for GI distress, and 27% for general health, after controlling for baseline scores. IBS-QOL and general health were improved, with GI distress minimized for the walking and essential oils groups. CONCLUSIONS: Adding walking and essential oils to an established IBS treatment regimen can positively impact health and well-being.