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The WISH 2.0 Intervention for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Elizabeth N Madva1, Jeff C Huffman1, Helen Burton-Murray1
1Harvard Medical School, Mass General Brigham, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, United States, 1-617-726-2000.
JMIR Research Protocols
|July 23, 2026
Summary
This study evaluates WISH 2.0, a phone-delivered positive psychology intervention for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). It assesses feasibility, acceptability, and potential gut-brain mechanisms, comparing it to an educational control for improved brain-gut behavior therapies (BGBTs).
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Psychology
- Gut-Brain Axis Research
- Behavioral Health Interventions
Background:
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) requires effective brain-gut behavior therapies (BGBTs).
- Positive psychology (PP) interventions show promise for health but haven't been studied in IBS.
- The WISH (Well-Being in IBS: Strengths and Happiness) program is a novel PP-based BGBT for IBS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the WISH 2.0 intervention.
- To assess preliminary effects of WISH 2.0 on health, behavior, and psychological outcomes.
- To explore candidate gut-brain mechanisms of the WISH 2.0 intervention.
Main Methods:
- A 9-week, parallel-group pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing WISH 2.0 to an educational control.
- 50 adults meeting Rome IV criteria for IBS were randomized.
- Outcomes include feasibility, acceptability, secondary health/psychological outcomes, and mechanistic biomarkers (autonomic function, gene expression, inflammation).
Main Results:
- Recruitment commenced in October 2025, with 20 participants enrolled as of July 2026.
- Study completion is anticipated in August 2028.
- Preliminary feasibility and acceptability data are pending full enrollment and study completion.
Conclusions:
- The WISH 2.0 trial will determine the feasibility and acceptability of this novel PP intervention for IBS.
- Comparative results will offer mechanistic insights into BGBTs for IBS.
- Findings will inform future efficacy trials for optimized IBS management.
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