Effect of MBSR on Anxiety and Depression of Patients with Gastrointestinal Disorder (IBS-M)

BACKGROUND: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of gastrointestinal system, characterized by abdominal pain, diarrhoea, constipation, or both. IBS-M (diarrhoea and constipation) has reported to cause significant distress to the person and often goes misdiagnosed; leading to different psychological problems such as stress, anxiety, depression, etc. These psychological problems maintain IBS-M. As these problems reduce, symptoms of IBS-M also reduce. AIM: To assess and compare the effect of MBSR on anxiety and depression. To see the effect of MBSR on level of mindfulness of patients with IBS-M. METHODS: Total 24 patients of IBS, diagnosed by physician, between 18-59 years of age, both genders, literate and illiterate belonging from rural and urban population were included from the Medicine and Psychiatry OPD for the study. Those fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were taken for the study. After explaining the purpose of the study, consent was attained and assessment was done using different psychological tools. Patients were randomly divided into experimental (12) and control (12) groups. MBSR intervention was given for 2 months (weekly sessions) and follow-up was done after 3 months of termination of the therapy. For statistical analysis Wilcoxon Signed Ranked was used. RESULTS: Results shows that gradually, after every session improvement was found in anxiety and depression as well as IBS-M symptoms improved after MBSR intervention. Mindfulness also improved after every session. CONCLUSION: The result concluded that 8-weeks MBSR intervention positively improves anxiety and depression and also increases the mindfulness of patients with IBS-M.