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<p>Irritable bowel syndrome is a prevalent disorder of gut-brain interaction characterized by recurrent abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits. Among the psychological factors implicated in irritable bowel syndrome, pain catastrophizing has emerged as a robust predictor of symptom experience and clinical outcomes. This study evaluated the effects of virtual positive psychology interventions on gastrointestinal symptoms and pain catastrophizing in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. In this parallel-group randomized controlled trial conducted in 2025, a total of 80 patients with irritable bowel syndrome were recruited from the gastroenterology clinic of Vali-Asr Hospital, Birjand, Iran, and randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a usual care control group. Thirty-five participants per group completed the study. The intervention group received an 8-week podcast-based program of positive psychology interventions delivered through a dedicated group on an Iranian social messaging platform, based on the Seligman and Rashid<sup>1</sup> protocol. Primary outcomes were evaluated using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale and Pain Catastrophizing Scale scores from baseline to immediately post-intervention. No significant within- or between-group changes were observed in total Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale or subscale scores (<i>p</i> &gt; 0.05). In contrast, the intervention group showed significant reductions in total Pain Catastrophizing Scale and its subscales (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.01), with between-group analyses confirming greater improvements in total Pain Catastrophizing Scale and magnification scores compared to controls (<i>p</i> = 0.01). No adverse events were reported. These findings indicate that virtual positive psychology interventions reduce maladaptive pain-related cognitions in irritable bowel syndrome without directly affecting gastrointestinal symptoms, thereby supporting their use as a safe, accessible, and scalable adjunctive approach targeting cognitive-affective pain aspects.</p><p>Trial registration: This trial is registered on the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials website with the identifier IRCT20250802066728N1(Date 12/8/2025). Available at <a href="https://www.irct.ir/trial/85,329">https://www.irct.ir/trial/85,329</a>.</p>

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Effects of virtual positive psychology interventions on gastrointestinal symptoms and pain catastrophizing in irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月31日

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  • Amirmohamad Momeni,
  • Seyyed Abolfazl Vagharseyyedin,
  • Sara Sahranavard,
  • Tahmine Tavakoli

摘要

Irritable bowel syndrome is a prevalent disorder of gut-brain interaction characterized by recurrent abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits. Among the psychological factors implicated in irritable bowel syndrome, pain catastrophizing has emerged as a robust predictor of symptom experience and clinical outcomes. This study evaluated the effects of virtual positive psychology interventions on gastrointestinal symptoms and pain catastrophizing in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. In this parallel-group randomized controlled trial conducted in 2025, a total of 80 patients with irritable bowel syndrome were recruited from the gastroenterology clinic of Vali-Asr Hospital, Birjand, Iran, and randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a usual care control group. Thirty-five participants per group completed the study. The intervention group received an 8-week podcast-based program of positive psychology interventions delivered through a dedicated group on an Iranian social messaging platform, based on the Seligman and Rashid1 protocol. Primary outcomes were evaluated using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale and Pain Catastrophizing Scale scores from baseline to immediately post-intervention. No significant within- or between-group changes were observed in total Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale or subscale scores (p > 0.05). In contrast, the intervention group showed significant reductions in total Pain Catastrophizing Scale and its subscales (p ≤ 0.01), with between-group analyses confirming greater improvements in total Pain Catastrophizing Scale and magnification scores compared to controls (p = 0.01). No adverse events were reported. These findings indicate that virtual positive psychology interventions reduce maladaptive pain-related cognitions in irritable bowel syndrome without directly affecting gastrointestinal symptoms, thereby supporting their use as a safe, accessible, and scalable adjunctive approach targeting cognitive-affective pain aspects.

Trial registration: This trial is registered on the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials website with the identifier IRCT20250802066728N1(Date 12/8/2025). Available at https://www.irct.ir/trial/85,329.