Treatment Study of Functional Bowel Disorders
Functional Bowel Disorders are common disorders, afflicting up to 15 percent of the population. They can cause abdominal pain,
diarrhea, and/or constipation. There are treatments available, yet the ideal treatment is still unknown. We are focusing our
study on women since research indicates that 70 to 90 percent of those receiving a diagnosis are women.
What is the Study?
This study offers all participants treatment and follow-up with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and medication, alone
or in combination. Our previous research found that both CBT and medication are effective treatment modalities. The purpose
of this study is to further determine the most effective
regimen to reduce pain, decrease symptoms, and increase quality of life.
Who is Conducting the Study?
Dr. Brenda Toner is the Principal Investigator and Dr. Nicholas Diamant is the Co-Investigator at the University of Toronto site. They are
working with
Drs. Drossman and Whitehead and a team of health professionals at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The investigators
are well-published
and world renowned in the area of Gastrointestinal Disorders.
Who Can Participate?
Women 18 to 65 years old
Diagnosed by a physician with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Functional Constipation or Functional Abdominal Pain Syndrome.
What is Involved?
The study includes a screening visit, a study entry visit, 12 treatment visits and a completion visit. All visits will occur
at CAMH and/or UHN. Participants will
be monitored through mailings at 3 and 6 months after completing treatment.
- Screening Visit, about 45 minutes: You will fill out questionnaires and your eligibility will be determined.
- Study Visit ( 2 Weeks Later): You will fill out questionnaires and will have an interview. There is also an optional physiology
test for which you will be paid $100.
- One week later, you will start the treatment visits which will be one hour per week for twelve weeks.
- At the end of twelve weeks, you will have a completion visit. This will include a follow-up physiology test, if applicable;
you will be paid $100 for this physiology test. Your progress will then be monitored by mailings at 3 and 6 months.
How Will I Benefit?
You may benefit by a reduction of your bowel symptoms and an improvement in your coping abilities and quality of life with
these medical conditions. In
addition, you will be benefiting society by increasing awareness of the effectiveness of certain treatments for functional
bowel disorders.
To get more information, ask your gastroenterologist, or contact the Research Coordinator:
Ms. Adrienne Amato
Centre for Addiction & Mental Health
Phone: (416) 979-4296
Fax: (416) 979-6811
Email: Adrienne_Amato@camh.net
Related Resources
Books
Cognitive-behavioral treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: the brain-gut connection Toner, Brenda B; Segal, Zindel V; Emmott,
Shelagh D; Myran, David New York: Guilford Press, 2000. 188 pp.
The objective of this book is to describe a cognitive-behavioral treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Publisher: New York: Guilford Press
Publications
Drossman, Douglas A; Toner, Brenda B; Whitehead, William E; Diamant, Nicholas E; Dalton, Chris B; Duncan, Susan; Emmott, Shelagh;
Proffitt, Valerie; Akman, Donna; Frusciante, Karen; Le, Terry; Meyer, Kim; Bradshaw, Barbara; Mikula, Kristi; Morris, Carolyn
B; Blackman, Carlar J; Hu, Yuming; Jia, Huanguang; Li, Jim Z; Koch, Gary G; Bangdiwala, Shrikant,I. (2003).Cognitive-behavioral
therapy versus education and desipramine versus placebo for moderate to severe functional bowel disorders. Gastroenterology,
125(1):19-31
Media
The brain-gut connection in Maclean's
Centre for Addiction
