Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2022 Jul 14;e14429. doi: 10.1111/nmo.14429. Online ahead of print.

Kyle Staller ^1 2, Mary Paz ³, Ramel Rones ⁴, Eric A Macklin ⁵, Isabelle Garcia-Fischer ^1 2, Helen Burton Murray ^1 2, Braden Kuo ^1 2

Author information

¹Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

²Center for Neurointestinal Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

³Institute of Health Professions, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA.

⁴Mind Body Consultant, Tufts Medical Center, Mass General Hospital, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

⁵Biostatistics Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Abstract

Background: Satisfaction with current treatment options for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) is low, with many patients turning to complementary treatments. Tai Chi is a mind-body medicine practice with proven efficacy in other functional disorders. As a proof-of-concept, we tested the feasibility and preliminary clinical outcomes associated with a Tai Chi program designed for IBS-C.

Methods: A total of 27 IBS-C patients participated in a single-arm trial of 8 sessions of Tai Chi delivered weekly over 7 weeks via live videoconferencing in group format. Clinical improvement was assessed via change in IBS Symptom Severity Score (IBS-SSS) from baseline to 4 weeks posttreatment (week 11) with secondary outcomes exploring symptom ratings, IBS-related quality of life (IBS-QOL), GI-specific anxiety, abdominal distention, and psychological factors.

Key results: Despite substantial dropout (n = 7; 26%), the treatment protocol had moderate to excellent feasibility for other criteria. Treatment satisfaction was excellent. Exit interviews confirmed high satisfaction with the program among completers, but a high burden of data collection was noted. One participant experienced an adverse event (mild, exacerbation of sciatica). There was a significant improvement in intra-individual IBS-SSS between baseline and posttreatment (average change -66.5, 95% CI -118.6 to -14.3, p = 0.01). Secondary outcomes were notable for improvements in other IBS symptom scoring measures, IBS-QOL, measured abdominal diameter, and leg strength.

Conclusions and inferences: Our data provide preliminary evidence of the feasibility of a Tai Chi intervention for IBS-C, show promise for improving outcomes, and identify more streamlined data collection as an area for further program improvement.