Genomic and Clinical Effects Associated with a Relaxation Response Mind-Body Intervention in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Patients with chronic illnesses such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) often have reduced quality of life. IBS is characterized by abdominal pain/discomfort associated with altered bowel function, such as diarrhea or constipation, without gross structural changes or inflammation [1]; IBD is characterized by gross inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract which can result in symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea and bloody stools. IBS and IBD can profoundly affect quality of life and are influenced by stress and resiliency.The impact of mind-body interventions (MBIs) on IBS and IBD patients has not previously been examined. In this study IBS and IBD patients were enrolled in a 9-week relaxation response based mind-body group intervention (RR-MBI), focusing on elicitation of the RR and cognitive skill building. We performed Peripheral blood transcriptome analysis to identify genomic correlates of the RR-MBI.

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Kuo B, Bhasin M, Jacquart J, Scult MA, Slipp L, Riklin EI, Lepoutre V, Comosa N, Norton BA, Dassatti A, Rosenblum J, Thurler AH, Surjanhata BC, Hasheminejad NN, Kagan L, Slawsby E, Rao SR, Macklin EA, Fricchione GL, Benson H, Libermann TA, Korzenik J, Denninger JW