Efficacy of multimodal psychotherapy in the management of pediatric patients with irritable bowel syndrome
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15574/SP.2025.8(152).3744Keywords:
pediatrics, pediatric gastroenterology, irritable bowel syndrome, psycho-emotional factors, treatment, psychotherapyAbstract
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of gut-brain interaction characterized by abdominal pain, changed bowel habits, and often accompanied by psycho-emotional distress. In pediatric practice, according to the limited efficacy of pharmacological treatment, non-pharmacological approaches, particularly psychotherapeutic and psychosocial interventions, are gaining increasing importance in the management of the disorder.
Аim - to evaluate the efficacy of integrating multimodal psychotherapy into the treatment of IBS in children based on clinical changes at the somatic, psycho-emotional, and psychosocial levels.
Materials and methods. The study involved 54 patients aged 6-12 diagnosed with IBS: 24 patients received multimodal psychotherapy in combination with pharmacological treatment (main group), while 30 patients received pharmacotherapy only (control group). The multimodal psychotherapy included family counseling, elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques, and group art therapy in a hybrid format. Treatment efficacy was assessed based on the dynamics of clinical symptoms using a 4-point Likert scale.
Results. Children with IBS who received psychotherapy showed a statistically significant reduction in the intensity of pain and asthenic syndrome symptoms, as well as lower levels of trait anxiety, compared to those who received symptomatic pharmacotherapy only. Other indicators of psychotherapy efficacy included decreased frequency of clinical symptoms, increased awareness of the role of psycho-emotional factors in IBS development, improved family relationships, and positive changes in the child's social interactions. Overall treatment efficacy, assessed by parents, was significantly higher in the main group.
Conclusions. Multimodal psychotherapy enhances the efficacy of IBS treatment in children by reducing symptoms and improving emotional well-being and social functioning.
The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. The protocol was approved by the local ethics committee. Written informed consent was obtained from the children’s legal guardians.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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