Adaptation of a multicomponent treatment for irritable bowel syndrome to a small-group format

We evaluated a multicomponent treatment program for IBS that had been adapted to a small-group format. Patient acceptance was satisfactory with 14 of 17 potential patients completing treatment. No reductions of GI symptoms were noted in a 12-week symptom-monitoring baseline phase; diarrhea became significantly worse. Treatment led to significant (p less than .05) reductions in abdominal pain and diarrhea. Nine of 14 (64.3%) patients were clinically improved.