Comparison of Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Spiritual Therapy on Symptoms Intensity, Quality of Life, in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder with chronic abdominal pain, bowel habit variations, and lack of structural causes. Symptom intensity has a statistical relation with patients' quality of life (QOL) and mental health. The first objective of the present study was to develop and provide a therapeutic plan based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for IBS that was operated for the very first time in Iran, as well as, compilation a therapeutic plan based on cultural and spiritual components. The second objective was to determine the effectiveness and comparison of those treatments on IBS symptoms intensity, Irritable Bowel Syndrome-Quality of Life Questionnaire (IBS-QOL) among patients with IBS.

The participants were 23 women with IBS that put in two groups randomly. The participants were diagnosed on the basis of Rome-III diagnosis criteria. One group received cognitive-behavioral therapy and the other group received spiritual therapy for 12 sessions. The data collection tools consisted of IBS Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS), the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Quality of Life (IBS-QOL) questionnaire. Data were collected during the weeks of 1, 4, 12, and 24, during the treatment process. Data was analyzed statistically via repeated measures MANOVA in SPSS software.

Both CBT and Spiritual therapy have a significant effect on IBS symptoms reduction and QOL improvement in patients. The effect of two therapeutic plans persisted until the follow-up stage.

According to the results, applied CBT and spiritual therapy can be implemented as effective treatments for IBS. Therefore, considering with condition and acceptance of patient, the use of each of them as complementary treatment is advised.