The WISH Intervention for IBS: Feasibility, Preliminary Effects, and Candidate Gut-Brain Mechanisms
Massachusetts General Hospital
Summary
The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility, acceptability, preliminary effects, and candidate gut-brain mechanisms of an optimized positive psychology (PP) intervention for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), entitled "WISH," compared to an educational control intervention.
Description
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a disorder of gut-brain interaction (DGBI; also known as functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder) is characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits, and conceptualized as resulting from complex interactions between biological, psychological, and social factors. Compared to healthy populations, individuals with IBS have reduced positive psychological well-being, which in turn has been associated with impaired physical health, greater depression and anxiety, and worse health-related quality of life. A growing body of evidence supports the use of behavi…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * IBS Diagnosis: Adult patients with an IBS diagnosis meeting standardized Rome IV diagnostic criteria. * Language and communication: English fluency and access to a phone. Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of inflammatory bowel disease or other structural/biochemical primary gastrointestinal illness that better explains IBS-like symptoms: As reported by the patient, their physician, and/or documented in the medical record. * Severe psychiatric illness: Current manic episode, psychosis, or active substance use disorder diagnosed via the Mini International Neuropsychiatric I…
Interventions
- BehavioralPositive Psychology (PP) Intervention
This is an adapted, optimized, phone-based, 9-week positive psychology (PP) intervention. Participants will complete 9 weekly phone sessions (30 minutes each) with a study interventionist in which they will review PP exercises that they have independently completed in between phone sessions. The PP exercises will be completed in a treatment manual that describes the PP exercise and provides space to write about the exercise and its effects, and to answer associated questions. A total of 9 sessions will be completed over the course of the program.
- BehavioralEducational Intervention
This is an educational intervention that will match the PP intervention in terms of both time and attention. Participants will complete 9 weekly phone sessions (30 minutes each) with a study interventionist in which they will review educational exercises that they have independently completed in between phone sessions. The exercises will be completed in a treatment manual that describes the exercise and provides space to write about the exercise and its effects, and to answer associated questions. A total of 9 sessions will be completed over the course of the program.
Location
- Massachusetts General HospitalBoston, Massachusetts