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. 2022 Nov;34(11):e14429.
doi: 10.1111/nmo.14429. Epub 2022 Jul 14.

Virtual Tai Chi program for patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation: Proof-of-concept feasibility trial

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
Affiliations

Virtual Tai Chi program for patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation: Proof-of-concept feasibility trial

Kyle Staller et al. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2022 Nov.

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.

Keywords: Tai Ji; clinical trial; complementary therapies; functional colonic diseases.

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Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:
Study flow
Figure 2:
Figure 2:
IBS Symptom Severity Score (IBS-SSS) change over time; mean group change in bold
Figure 3:
Figure 3:
Change in selected secondary measures over time; For leg strength, participants were asked to sit against a wall without support, legs bent at a 110 degree angle for as long as they could, at 80 percent of their maximum effort, using a self-timer. VAS, visual analog scale
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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