Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Adolescents With Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Internet-CBT based on exposure exercises for adolescents with IBS can effectively improve gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life.

Systematic review with meta‐analysis: online psychological interventions for mental and physical health outcomes in gastrointestinal disorders including irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease

“…The shortest mean duration of symptoms was 6.3 years and the longest was over 14 years . In the study with adolescents, the parent‐reported mean duration of symptoms was 5.12 (SD = 4.11) years . Three studies did not report on the length of symptoms or years since diagnosis …”

“…With regards to the type of GI disease, eight papers (including seven studies) examined IBS and three papers (including two studies) IBD . The follow‐up time varied in the studies, with the majority of studies employing just a post‐intervention assessment, with the longest follow‐up being 24 months .…”

“…The psychological intervention explored in all included studies was online CBT, hence the planned analysis of the effect of each individual psychological intervention on the physical and mental outcomes was not feasible. The duration of the intervention varied, the majority of participants received a 10‐week Internet‐delivered CBT course, single studies received 8‐week, 6‐week, 5‐week and 4‐week interventions. Along with CBT, the participants in the intervention groups received some therapist support via e‐mail or text messages, and the participants in 2 other studies could contact a psychologist if required .…”

“…Control group participants in most studies were on a wait‐list or received standard usual care . In one study participants were randomised to nine different groups: (1) website only CBT + Mebeverine, (2) website only CBT + Methylcellulose, (3) website only CBT + placebo, (4) website CBT + support + Mebeverine, (5) website CBT + support + Methylcellulose, (6) website CBT + support + placebo, (7) no website + Mebeverine, (8) no website + Methylcellulose, (9) no website + placebo.…”

“…Of the 6 studies reporting severity of anxiety and depression, patients in two studies (n = 373) had low anxiety and depression score means at baseline, in three studies patients (n = 330 adults; n = 101 adolescents) had mild anxiety scores, and in one study patients (n = 85) had mild scores for depression MADRS‐S Mean (SD) = 12.19 (7.8) …”