The Role of Virtual Reality in the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Purpose of Review Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of gut-brain interaction that significantly impacts health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This article explores the potential role of virtual reality (VR)-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating patients with IBS. Recent F...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current gastroenterology reports 2024-11, Vol.26 (11), p.294-303
Main Authors: Suchak, Karisma K., Almario, Christopher V., Liran, Omer, Chernoff, Robert, Spiegel, Brennan R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abdomen
Anxiety
Behavior
Brain research
Cognition & reasoning
Cognitive ability
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - methods
Gastroenterology
Humans
Illnesses
Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome - psychology
Irritable Bowel Syndrome - therapy
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Nervous system
Pain
Patients
Quality of Life
Side effects
Therapists
Therapy
Topical Collection on Neurogastroenterology and Motility Disorders of the Gastrointestinal Tract
Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy - methods
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Summary:Purpose of Review Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of gut-brain interaction that significantly impacts health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This article explores the potential role of virtual reality (VR)-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating patients with IBS. Recent Findings While CBT is a proven, skills-based therapy approach that modifies behaviors and alters dysfunctional thinking patterns to influence the gut-brain axis and improve IBS symptoms, it is rarely prescribed given a paucity of CBT-trained clinicians. We developed a novel VR program that delivers a standardized CBT program over an 8-week period to help patients manage their symptoms. In initial qualitative validation testing, patients expressed positive perceptions about using VR CBT for IBS. Summary Home-based, standardized VR CBT has the potential to be an effective and scalable treatment option for patients with IBS. While initial studies have shown proof-of-concept definitive randomized controlled trials are needed to demonstrate the efficacy of self-administered VR CBT in IBS.
ISSN:1522-8037
1534-312X
1534-312X
DOI:10.1007/s11894-024-00940-w