Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy: An effective intervention in IBS

Key clinical point: Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) significantly improved irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptom severity and quality of life (QoL) and was cost-effective in patients with IBS.

Major finding: Compared with the standard care, ICBT led to a significant reduction in IBS symptom severity (standardized mean difference [SMD] −0.575; 95% CI −0.714 to −0.435) and total cost including intervention cost (SMD −0.372; 95% CI −0.704 to −0.039) and improved QoL (SMD 0.582; 95% CI 0.396 to 0.769), with effects on IBS symptom severity being prominent even at 12-24 months postintervention (SMD −0.357; 95% CI −0.541 to −0.172).

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 9 randomized controlled studies that evaluated the application of ICBT in patients with IBS.

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Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Kim H et al. Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: Systematic review and meta-analysis. J Med Internet Res. 2022;24(6):e35260 (Jun 10). Doi: 10.2196/35260