In 2015, a study offers compelling evidence that integrating mind-body practices into the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) can significantly improve both psychological and physical symptoms, as well as reduce inflammation. Conducted by a team of researchers including Patricia L. Gerbarg, Vinita E. Jacob, and Ellen J. Scherl, the study focused on the effects of the Breath-Body-Mind Workshop (BBMW)—a program combining breathing techniques, movement, and meditation—on patients with IBD.

The randomized controlled trial involved 29 IBD patients from the Jill Roberts IBD Center, who were divided into two groups. One group participated in the BBMW program, while the other attended an educational seminar. Researchers evaluated the participants using a variety of psychological and physical assessments, including the Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, and IBD Questionnaire, alongside measurements of inflammatory biomarkers like C-reactive protein and fecal calprotectin.

The results were striking. By the 6-week mark, those in the BBMW group showed significant improvements in anxiety, general psychological symptoms, and overall quality of life. These benefits persisted and even expanded by the 26-week follow-up, where participants also demonstrated reduced levels of depression, stress, and perceived disability. Notably, their median C-reactive protein levels—a key marker of inflammation—also decreased significantly, suggesting a direct impact on the inflammatory processes associated with IBD.

In contrast, the educational seminar group did not exhibit significant changes in either psychological or physical measures.

This study underscores the potential of mind-body interventions like the BBMW as an adjunctive treatment for IBD. By emphasizing voluntarily regulated breathing practices, these interventions appear to offer long-lasting benefits, not just in symptom management but also in enhancing overall quality of life for IBD patients. The findings warrant further research, but they suggest that integrating such practices could be a valuable component of IBD treatment strategies moving forward.

Reference: Gerbarg, P. L., Jacob, V. E., Stevens, L., Bosworth, B. P., Chabouni, F., DeFilippis, E. M., & Scherl, E. J. (2015). The effect of breathing, movement, and meditation on psychological and physical symptoms and inflammatory biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease: a randomized controlled trial. Inflammatory bowel diseases, 21(12), 2886-2896.