Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in functional dyspepsia: A pilot randomized trial

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Psychiatry
• Mindfulness-based interventions

Background:

• Functional dyspepsia (FD) frequently co-occurs with anxiety and depression.
• Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) integrates cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness principles.
• MBCT has demonstrated efficacy in functional gastrointestinal disorders, but its role in FD requires further study.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and efficacy of MBCT for managing functional dyspepsia.
• To evaluate patient recruitment, intervention acceptability, and adherence in a pilot randomized trial.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-method, single-center pilot randomized trial involving 28 patients with FD.
• Patients were randomized to an 8-week MBCT program or treatment-as-usual (TAU).
• Feasibility was assessed through recruitment, randomization, intervention procedures, and quantitative measures; efficacy was evaluated using symptom questionnaires.

Main Results:

• The MBCT program demonstrated good feasibility, with 12 out of 15 patients completing the intervention.
• A trend towards improved FD symptoms was observed (90% MBCT vs. 45% TAU, P=0.063).
• MBCT significantly improved the Nepean Dyspepsia Index (P=0.018) and showed a trend in reducing depression, anxiety, and stress scores.

Conclusions:

• Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) appears to be a feasible and potentially efficacious intervention for functional dyspepsia.
• A larger randomized controlled trial (RCT) with approximately 50 patients is recommended to confirm these findings.