Mindfulness meditation for women with irritable bowel syndrome – evidence of benefit from a randomised controlled trial
- Department of Medicine, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Correspondence to David J Kearney
Seattle VA Medical Centre, 111GI, 1660 S. Columbian Way, Seattle, WA 98108, USA; kearney{at}u.washington.edu
Implications for Nursing Practice and Research
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■ Participation in a 8-week course of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) may reduce irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms and improve quality of life for women with IBS.
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■ Patient education for women with IBS should now include MBSR as a potential treatment option.
Context
IBS is common with prevalence estimates ranging from 3.7% to 22% worldwide.1 IBS is characterised by recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort associated with two or more of the following: (1) symptom improvement with defecation, …








