"Role of Psychosocial Factors on the Course of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Associated Psychotherapeutic Approaches. A Fresh Perspective and Review"

Effectiveness of Bioenergy Economy-based Health Improvement (BEHI) versus Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on the Psychological Comorbidities and Quality of Life in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background

Inflammatory IBD has a significant adverse influence on the physical, psychological, family, and social dimensions of patients. This research aims to compare the effectiveness of ACT and BEHI on perceived stress, quality of life, sense of coherence, and D personality type in patients with IBD.

Methods

This study used a quasi-experimental method with a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design with a control group. A total of 37 patients were randomly selected based on a random allocation system. Data were collected by WHOQOL-BREF, the Sense of Coherence (SOC) questionnaire, the Type D Personality Questionnaire, and the Perceived Stress Scale (Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)). The first experimental group (n = 12) underwent ACT within eight 90-minute weekly sessions, which lasted eight weeks. The second group (n = 12) experienced bio-energy economy within eight 90-minute weekly sessions, lasting for eight weeks. The control group (n = 13) received no training in this period. Data was analyzed using a mixed variance analysis method.

Results

Results revealed that perceived stress, quality of life, sense of coherence, and D personality type significantly improved in the post-test and follow-up stages through the ACT and BEHI programs (P < .01). It was found that there was a significant difference between the experimental groups and the control group over time (P < .01).

Conclusions

It can be concluded the BEHI program was more effective in decreasing perceived stress and D personality type and increasing quality of life than the ACT program. Although the BEHI program improved a sense of coherence, the ACT program was more effective in increasing the sense of coherence in patients.

A Phenomenological Investigation of Trauma in 18 Adults Living With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

While trauma is recognized as being common in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) cohorts, limited research has explored how trauma impacts the lived experience of IBD. The aim of this study was to develop an understanding of how trauma impacts the experience of living with IBD and its subsequent management. An interpretative phenomenological analysis with thematic analysis was conducted. Eighteen adults with IBD participated in this qualitative research study. Key themes identified included: (1) Trauma was associated with the journey of IBD; (2) the impact of IBD and trauma, and (3) coping strategies. Pre-existing non-IBD trauma was prevalent, with several participants reporting links between traumatic events and their IBD diagnosis. Experiences of IBD trauma were described by participants across all stages of their illness journey. The study can assist healthcare professionals to better understand the experience of living with IBD and trauma and the factors that can contribute to traumatic responses.

Prevalence and Impact of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Gastrointestinal Conditions: A Systematic Review

Psychological distress is often observed in patients with gastrointestinal illness. To date, there has been limited research conducted to assess the prevalence and impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in gastrointestinal cohorts. The aim of this systematic review is to review the evidence for the prevalence of PTSD in gastrointestinal cohorts versus comparator groups (healthy controls and chronic illness groups), predictive factors associated with the development and management of PTSD and the impact on patient outcomes. Adult studies were identified through systematic searches of eight databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Emcare, PsycINFO, Ovid Nursing, CINAHL, Informit Health Collection, and Cochrane Library) in February 2020. The overall pooled prevalence rate of PTSD in GI cohorts was 36%; however, the prevalence rate in non-veteran-specific gastrointestinal cohorts of 18% across all GI classification groups is likely to be the more representative rate. The non-gastrointestinal chronic illness cohort PTSD prevalence rate was 11%. Predictors identified in the development of post-traumatic stress in gastrointestinal cohorts include: female gender, poor social support, life adversity, subjective pain, and dietary choices. Post-traumatic stress was found to exacerbate gastrointestinal symptoms in a Crohn's Disease sample, whereby disease exacerbation was four times in those who met the criteria for probable PTSD. Post-traumatic stress symptoms affect around one in five individuals (non-veteran status) with a gastrointestinal condition. Further research is needed to understand the psychological and biological mechanisms by which PTSD increases the risk of developing and exacerbating gastrointestinal symptoms.

Non-pharmacological Interventions for Anxiety and Depression in Adults With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objectives: To assess the published randomized controlled trials (RCT) of non-pharmacological interventions systematically and to synthesize the evidence of these interventions for the management of anxiety and depression in adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Background: Anxiety and depression are common symptoms in adults with IBD and can have many negative outcomes on their quality of life (QOL). Non-pharmacological interventions for anxiety and depression are important to improve the adaptive strategies of adults with IBD. Previously published reviews of non-pharmacological interventions to mitigate anxiety and depression in those with IBD have resulted in inconclusive evidence. This review is aimed to fill that gap.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Method: Using a PRISMA diagram, English-language RCT published were searched using combined keywords of inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, randomized controlled trial, anxiety, and depression. The Cochrane risk of bias tool is utilized to assess the methodological quality of each study. A meta-analysis of RCTs was conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software.

Results: The final review included 10 studies. The overall risk of bias of the selected studies varied from low risk in three studies, some concerns in four of the studies, and high risk of bias in three of the studies. Interventions included cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, breath–body- mind –workshop, guided imagery with relaxation, solution-focused therapy, yoga, and multicomponent interventions. The pooled evidence from all non-pharmacological interventions showed that these interventions significantly helped to reduce anxiety, depression, and disease specific quality of life (QOL) in adults with IBD compared to control groups. However, the effect sizes are small. The pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) was −0.28 (95% CI [−0.47, −0.09], p = 0.004) for anxiety, −0.22 (95% CI [−0.41, −0.03], p = 0.025) for depression and 0.20 (95% CI [0.004, 0.39], p = 0.046) for disease specific QOL.

Conclusion: The addressed non-pharmacological interventions were multifaceted and demonstrated positive effects on anxiety and depression, and QOL in those with IBD. Healthcare providers can facilitate a discussion with adults with IBD about the availability of these interventions to mitigate their anxiety and depression and to improve their QOL.

Art of therapy: Focus on psychological health among patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, recurrent and idiopathic intestinal disorder whose pathogenesis remains unclear. An increasing amount of evidence has shown that psychological factors are closely related to the progression and recurrence of IBD. Psychotherapy can be an important supplement therapy to traditional IBD treatment. In this article we will briefly review the advances in research of IBD-related psychological factors and the corresponding intervention approaches. Clinicians should strengthen their awareness of IBD-related psychological disorders and put emphasis on psychotherapy.