Cognitive behavioral therapy for irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the disease in which abdominal pain and related bowel movements such as diarrhea and constipation persist. IBS is classified in chronic primary pain as well as fibromyalgia and non–specific low back pain. Psychological intervention is important in the treatment of refractory IBS. In particular, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which is a kind of psychotherapy has attracted attention recently. We have developed a Japanese version of the cognitive behavioral therapy protocol for IBS which called CBT–IE and have been practicing on IBS patients. When conducting CBT for patients with chronic pain, including IBS, it is important not to target the disappearance of symptoms, but to aim for improving the quality of life.