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World J Gastroenterol. Dec 14, 2013; 19(46): 8605-8610
Published online Dec 14, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i46.8605
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for the management of irritable bowel syndrome
Qing-Lin Tang, Guo-Yao Lin, Ming-Qing Zhang
Qing-Lin Tang, Ming-Qing Zhang, Department of Gastroenterology, 175th Hospital of PLA, Affiliated Southeast Hospital of Xiamen University, Zhangzhou 363000, Fujian Province, China
Qing-Lin Tang, Guo-Yao Lin, Institute of Applied Psychology, Minnan Normal University, Zhangzhou 363000, Fujian Province, China
Author contributions: Tang QL performed the literature search, data analysis, and wrote the manuscript; Lin GY recommended topics to be included and wrote the manuscript; Zhang MQ conceived the study and revised the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Ming-Qing Zhang, Professor, Department of Gastroenterology, 175th Hospital of PLA, Affiliated Southeast Hospital of Xiamen University, No. 269 Middle Zhanghua Road, Zhangzhou 363000, Fujian Province, China. zhangmingqing20@163.com
Telephone: +86-596-2975536 Fax: +86-596-2975771
Received: September 12, 2013
Revised: November 5, 2013
Accepted: November 12, 2013
Published online: December 14, 2013
Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder, reported to be found in 5%-20% of the general population. Its management accounts for up to 25% of a gastroenterologist’s workload in the outpatient department, and the main symptoms are abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits. Despite a great amount of available pharmacological treatments aimed at a wide variety of gastrointestinal and brain targets, many patients have not shown adequate symptom relief. In recent years, there has been increasing evidence to suggest that psychological treatments, in particular cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), are effective for the management of IBS. This review discusses CBT for the management of IBS. CBT has proved to be effective in alleviating the physical and psychological symptoms of IBS and has thus been recommended as a treatment option for the syndrome.

Keywords: Cognitive-behavioral therapy, Irritable bowel syndrome, Psychological treatment

Core tip: There is increasing evidence to suggest that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective for the management of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). CBT can alleviate the physical and psychological symptoms of IBS, and has thus been recommended as a treatment option for the syndrome.