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. 2025 Feb;70(2):644-664.
doi: 10.1007/s10620-024-08672-7. Epub 2024 Oct 14.

Digital Health Interventions Are Effective for Irritable Bowel Syndrome Self-Management: A Systematic Review

Adrijana D'Silva  1 , Nicolle Hua  1 , Mary V Modayil  2 , Judy Seidel  1   2 , Deborah A Marshall  3
Affiliations

Digital Health Interventions Are Effective for Irritable Bowel Syndrome Self-Management: A Systematic Review

Adrijana D'Silva et al. Dig Dis Sci. 2025 Feb.

Abstract

Background: Digital health interventions (DHIs) could be a valuable self-management tool for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but little research exists on IBS-focused DHIs and their effectiveness. This review aimed to identify DHIs for IBS and evaluate their characteristics, effectiveness, and feasibility.

Methods: Our study team, including patient partners, conducted a systematic review using Medline, PsycINFO, Embase, Web of Science, and CINAHL from database inception to May 2024. Experimental and observational studies evaluating DHIs designed for use by IBS patients were included. Data extraction and assessment included study and DHI characteristics, effectiveness outcomes (symptom severity, quality of life, psychological indices, patient empowerment), and feasibility measures (adherence, usability, user satisfaction). Study quality and bias were assessed using a modified checklist of Downs and Black.

Results: Of the 929 identified, 13 studies of DHIs were included and deemed good quality on average (21,510 total participants) with six primary areas of focus: education, diet, brain-gut behavior skills, physiological support, health monitoring, and community engagement. Most DHIs were self-directed and reported statistically significant improvements in most effectiveness outcomes. Evidence suggests that DHIs focusing on brain-gut behavior skills or health monitoring may be most effective compared to other types of DHIs. However, their feasibility remains unclear, and the generalization of their impacts is limited.

Conclusion: This review underscores the potential of DHIs in supporting IBS patients and improving their outcomes. However, additional research is warranted for continued intervention use in this population, including assessments on feasibility, safety, cost-effectiveness, and patient empowerment and experiences.

Keywords: Digital health; Effectiveness; Feasibility; Irritable bowel syndrome; Self-management; Systematic review.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Conflict of interest: DAM reports personal fees from the Office of Health Economics, Astellas, and Novartis and meeting expenses from Illumina. AD, MVM, JS, and NH disclose no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PRISMA systematic review flow diagram of studies
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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