Effect of Autogenic Relaxation Training on Irritable Bowel Syndrome In Adult Females

Overview

This study will be conducted to determine the effect of autogenic relaxation training on irritable bowel syndrome in adult females.

Detailed description

This study is significant as it explores the potential of autogenic relaxation to improve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Epidemiologic studies have reported that the prevalence of IBS is approaching 11% globally.

Patients with irritable bowel syndrome have a perception of reduced quality of life and a high presence of psychological/ psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, phobias, panic, somatization and obsessive disorder, and in the past these disorders were considered an etiological factor of the syndrome. Psychopathological disorder is currently thought to be a comorbid factor that can exacerbate symptoms. Patients with irritable bowel syndrome also have a high level of perceived stress and in most cases sleep disturbances.

Autogenic relaxation training (ART) is a standardized relaxation technique developed by Schultz around 1930 that uses the mental repetition of six systematic exercises (heaviness, warmth, calm and regular heart function, self-regulation of respiration, warmth in the upper abdomen area, and agreeable cooling of the forehead) to decrease sympathetic tone and induce a general disconnection of the organism. ART is simple to learn and easy to practice following brief training. The repeated practice of the exercises increases the person's capacity to induce ever-deeper relaxation and fosters the accumulation of therapeutic benefits.

The mechanism of action of this relaxation technique lies in the relaxation response, as opposed to the stress response, which involves a complex interplay of the endocrine, immune, neurological, and psychological systems.

Interventions

• Other Autogenic relaxation training
  The six standard exercises in autogenic relaxation training cause the body to feel calm, warm, and heavy. Each exercise involves the patient lying down, focusing without any particular objective, and then using verbal cues and visual imagination to relax her body in a particular way. The woman relaxed in a half-lying position with a supported back and both arms relaxed at her sides during the eight-week autogenic relaxation training, which lasted 30-40 minutes, one session each week. The woman w
• Other Aerobic exercises
  All participant in both groups will perform the treadmill exercises three times a week for eight weeks.The participants will walk on the treadmill in a slow speed for 5 min to warm-up. After that, they will increase their speed until they reach the target heart rate and maintain it for 20 min finally, they will walk on the treadmill for 5 min with a slow speed to cool-down.
• Other Lifestyle modification
  Patients in both groups will be instructed to follow dietary advice for 8 weeks. This includes Integrating a healthier eating habit, having food at the same time every day with regular intervals. Never eat too little or too much. Staying properly hydrated. Preventing processed, fatty, and spicy food. Limiting caffeine, carbonated, and alcoholic drinks. Limiting fiber intake to soluble fibers starts with a low dose and builds up gradually. Avoiding insoluble fibers, gas-producing foods like bea

Primary outcome measures

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome Severity Scoring System [Time frame: 12 weeks]
• Frequency of complete spontaneous bowel movements [Time frame: 12 weeks]
• Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) [Time frame: 12 weeks]
• The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) [Time frame: 12 weeks]
• Assessment of Quality of Life [Time frame: 12 weeks]
• Estimation of cortisol level [Time frame: 12 weeks]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

• Patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) based on Rome IV diagnostic criteria constipation- predominant IBS.

Their body mass index 25- 30.

Exclusion criteria

• Organic gastrointestinal disorder, thyroid dysfunction, respiratory, renal, hepatic disorder.
• Pregnancy, hematological disease, neurological and psychiatric disease.
• Previous history of stomach or intestinal excision.

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation

Randomized

Model

Parallel assignment

Masking

Single blind

Primary purpose

Treatment

Study locations

Egypt · 1 center

• Nisreen Ashraf Helmy — Cairo

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07533500 · P.T.REC/012/006320

Primary sources (government registries)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (US NIH)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗