What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to examine how mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) affects brain changes and improves symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

April 15, 2026Open Access

Brain Changes Underlying Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptom Improvement in Response to Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction

Key Points

This research aims to examine how mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) affects brain changes and improves symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Compared brain connectivity between IBS responders and nonresponders to MBSR
Analyzed resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) changes
Measured symptom severity in IBS patients before and after MBSR
Responders showed widespread changes in RSFC
Shift from inward, ruminative focus to external attention
MBSR correlated with reduced IBS symptom severity

Abstract

Overall, Responders compared to Nonresponders showed widespread RSFC changes suggesting a shift from a predominantly inward, ruminative focus to one characterized by more externally focused attention to the body and the environment. The results suggest that MBSR may improve IBS symptom severity via impact on the brain's RSFC.

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Discussion

Authors

Jennifer S. Labus

Guistinna Tun

Paul W. Savoca

Journals

Neurogastroenterology & Motility

Actions

Institutions

University of California, Los Angeles

Office of Patient Care Services

References and Citations

Connected Papers

Building similarity graph...

Analyzing shared references across papers

Brain Changes Underlying Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptom Improvement in Response to Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction

Key Points

Abstract

Citation Network

Connected Papers

Discussion

Authors

Journals

Actions

Institutions

References and Citations

Citation Network

Connected Papers

Discussion

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