The primary goal of this study is to test the efficacy of emotional awareness and expression training (EAET), a novel emotional processing intervention that the investigators have developed, for people with IBS. In this randomized, controlled trial, the investigators will compare EAET to a standard intervention that teaches the conceptually opposite approach-relaxation training (RT)-and test how both of these interventions compare to a wait-list control condition. The investigators hypothesize that individuals in the EAET group will demonstrate greater improvement in their IBS symptom severity, psychological functioning, quality of life, and health care utilization at 4 and 12-week follow-up time points, compared to individuals in the wait-list control group. It is also expected that both of the active interventions (EAET and RT) will be more efficacious than the wait-list control condition.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
106
An emotional processing intervention, which aims to reduce stress by helping patients become aware of, and express emotions related to stressful life experiences, as well as teaching patients how to relate to others differently.
Teaches patients different relaxation training skills to reduce their distress and discomfort (i.e., progressive muscle relaxation, applied relaxation, or guided imagery.
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan, United States
IBS symptom severity scale (IBS-SSS)
Time frame: Change from baseline symptom severity at 1 month and 3 months
McGill Pain Questionnaire, Short Form (SF-MPQ-2)
Time frame: Change from baseline pain at 1 month and 3 months
Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS)
Time frame: Change from baseline stool form at 1 month and 3 months
Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Quality of Life (IBS-QOL)
Time frame: Change from baseline quality of life at 1 month and 3 months
Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS)
Time frame: Change from baseline positive affect and negative affect at 1 month and 3 months
Impact of Events Scale - Revised (IES-R)
Time frame: Change from baseline impact of events at 1 month and 3 months
Toronto Alexithymia Scale -20 (TAS-20)
Time frame: Change from baseline alexithymia at 1 month and 3 months
Rathus Assertiveness Schedule (RAS)
Time frame: Change from baseline assertiveness at 1 month and 3 months
Ambivalence over Emotional Expression Scale (AEQ)
Time frame: Change from baseline ambivalence over emotional expression at 1 month and 3 months
Emotional Approach Coping Scale (EAC)
Time frame: Change from baseline emotional approach coping at 1 month and 3 months
IBS self-efficacy questionnaire
Time frame: Change from baseline self-efficacy at 1 month and 3 months
Communicating Thoughts and Feelings Questionnaire
Time frame: Change from baseline ability to communicate thoughts and feelings at 1 month and 3 months
Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) Improvement Scale - IBS version
Time frame: Change from baseline IBS symptoms at 1 month and 3 months
Health care Utilization Scale
Time frame: Change in health care utilization from baseline to 1-month and 3-month follow-ups
Brief Symptom Inventory
Time frame: Change in psychological symptoms from baseline to 1-month and 3-month follow-ups
Early Trauma Inventory Self-Report Short Form
Time frame: Change in Trauma reports from baseline to 1-month and 3-month follow-ups
Experiences in Close Relationships Questionnaire
Time frame: Change in attachment from baseline to 1-month and3-month follow-ups
General Social Constraints Scale
Time frame: Change in social constraints from baseline to 1-month and 3-month follow-ups
Medication use
Time frame: Change in medication use from baseline to 1-month and 3-month follow-ups
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