Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Reduces IBD-Related Psychological Distress

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) experiencing psychological distress and fatigue may benefit from mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), according to study results presented at the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO) 2024 conference, held from February 21 to 24, in Stockholm, Sweden.

Psychosocial treatment options for individuals with IBD are limited. As such, this patient population needs effective interventions to decrease psychological distress and improve fatigue and quality of life (QOL).

Researchers conducted a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial (MindIBD; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04646785) to determine the effect of MBCT on psychological distress, fatigue, and mental health in 142 patients with IBD (Crohn disease, 48%; women, 64%). For the experiment, 70 individuals were assigned to the intervention group and 72 to the control group.

The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to determine the level of psychological distress at baseline, 3 months after intervention, and 6,9, and 12 months after baseline. The researchers also analyzed secondary outcomes, including the effect of MBCT on fatigue, positive mental health, disease-related QOL, disease activity levels, and perceptions of disease control.

HADS scores decreased by a mean [SD] 4.7 [6.3] points after 3 months in participants who underwent MBCT. In comparison, HADS scores decreased by a mean 1.2 [5.2] points in the control group (P <.001). The individuals who received the intervention demonstrated continued improvement of their psychological distress throughout the follow-up period (P =.005).

MBCT also significantly improved measures of fatigue (P =.022) and promoted positive mental health (P =.022). However, no changes were observed for disease-related QOL, disease activity levels, or perceptions of disease control following intervention.

“MBCT reduces psychological distress and improves fatigue and positive mental health,” study authors concluded. “Therefore, MBCT can be considered as a valuable addition to the limited psychosocial interventions for patients with IBD to improve psychological distress, fatigue, and positive mental health.”

This article originally appeared on Gastroenterology Advisor