Biofeedback for irritable bowel syndrome

Thousands of people are affected by irritable bowel syndrome, which is estimated to account for 30–50% of all gastrointestinal complaints.¹ It is often not possible to identify a clear biological cause for irritable bowel syndrome. Although it is not a life-threatening condition, it can significantly impair the quality of life of those affected.

Biofeedback for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome

The use of Biofeedback The treatment of irritable bowel syndrome is based primarily on the assumption that stress plays a key role in the symptoms. According to this view, stress leads to increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system and, consequently, to increased bowel motility. Biofeedback is therefore frequently used as a stress management strategy, for example through Temperature biofeedback².

However, recent studies show that HRV biofeedback in particular – that is, training the Heart rate variability, which is an effective method for treating irritable bowel syndrome. Here, participants learn to improve the heart’s responsiveness, for example by practising respiratory sinus arrhythmia, in which breathing and the heartbeat are synchronised. This technique has a positive effect on various conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome.

Effectiveness

A research team led by Dr Mark Stern of the California School of Professional Psychology investigated the previously suspected positive effects of biofeedback on irritable bowel syndrome and achieved remarkable results.

Almost 70% of the participants treated experienced complete remission, whilst the remainder reported at least partial relief of their symptoms. As these results were achieved after just a few sessions, the study authors also highlight the potential for cost savings offered by this approach³.

In particular, HRV biofeedback, which is used in many other Areas of application has already proven its worth and has been shown to be particularly effective in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. The method was therefore classified in the second-highest efficacy category, „Effective“, in the biofeedback review by the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, „Evidence-Based Practice in Biofeedback and Neurofeedback“.⁴.