Gut-directed guided affective imagery as an adjunct to dietary modification in irritable bowel syndrome

Abstract

This work aimed to study the effect of guided affective imagery on the irritable bowel syndrome. A total of 15 irritable bowel syndrome patients received guided affective imagery and 19 patients served as controls. Symptom severity and irritable bowel syndrome quality of life were measured at baseline and 8 weeks. Symptom severity decreased following guided affective imagery compared to controls (−1.5 ± 1.9 vs 0.1 ± 1.6, p = 0.04). Irritable bowel syndrome quality of life increased following guided affective imagery compared to controls (12.1 ± 12.5 vs −0.7 ± 16.2, p < 0.01). Guided affective imagery predicted reduced symptom severity (odds ratio = 5.71, p = 0.02) and increased irritable bowel syndrome quality of life (odds ratio = 17.88, p = 0.01). Guided affective imagery combined with dietary modification may be beneficial in the management of irritable bowel syndrome, however larger studies are required.