Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Based Mobile Application for Non-Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Japan

Abstract

We aimed to develop a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-based (CBT-based) mobile application and evaluate its effectiveness as a potential solution to the lack of specific treatments for non-patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in Japan. The participants comprised non-patients with IBS, recruited online and randomly assigned to either the treatment (n = 5) or waitlist control (n = 6) condition. The application was used over two months under a therapist’s guidance. The outcome measures were assessed using the following scales at six time points: Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), Irritable Bowel Syndrome-Quality of Life Questionnaire (IBS-QOL-J), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS-J), Cognitive Scale for Functional Bowel Disorders (CS-FBD), Visceral Sensitivity Index (VSI), and Irritable Bowel Syndrome Behavioral Responses Questionnaire (IBS-BRQ). Group differences were evaluated using mixed-factors analysis of variance. The interaction of intervention condition × time was significant for the CS-FBD, VSI, and IBS-BRQ. However, no statistically significant between-group differences were observed for the GSRS, IBS-QOL-J, and PCS-J scores at different time points. While the application improved symptom-specific cognition and behavior, and gastrointestinal-specific anxiety, it was not effective in improving IBS symptoms and quality of life. There is a need to refine the implementation of behavioral techniques and adjust the pace of application use according to each patient's understanding and symptoms.

Feasibility study of the e-learning version of the “Journey of the Brave”: A universal anxiety prevention program based on cognitive behavioral therapy

“…I-CBT has received increasing attention owing to raised concerns regarding face-to-face treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic [21]. Although not clearly defined, I-CBT can be broadly classified as guided or unguided and is a self-help format program with documents, audio, and video [22]. I-CBT for anxiety disorders was more cost-effective than regular CBT treatment [23].…”