Volume 12, Issue 4 (November 2025)
Avicenna J Neuro Psycho Physiology 2025, 12(4): 194-200 |
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Ethics code: IR.IAU.TABRIZ.REC.1402.406
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Zeinali B, Tabatabaei S M. A New Approach to Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome: The Impact of Neurofeedback on Electrophysiological Markers and Patient Symptoms. Avicenna J Neuro Psycho Physiology 2025; 12 (4) :194-200
URL: http://ajnpp.umsha.ac.ir/article-1-548-en.html
URL: http://ajnpp.umsha.ac.ir/article-1-548-en.html
1- Student of General Medicine, TaMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran.
2- Full Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Medical Physiology, TaMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran. ,smt@iaut.ac.ir
2- Full Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Medical Physiology, TaMS.C., Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran. ,
Abstract: (302 Views)
Background and Objective: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorder with symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits. Emerging evidence suggests that dysregulation of the brain-gut axis plays a central role in IBS pathophysiology. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of neurofeedback therapy in modulating brain wave activity and alleviating IBS symptoms.
Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group was employed. Thirty female patients with IBS, diagnosed using the Rome III diagnostic criteria, were randomly assigned to experimental (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. The experimental group underwent 20 neurofeedback sessions over six weeks. Quantitative electroencephalography assessed brain wave activity and validated symptom severity scales, measured clinical outcomes. Statistical analyses compared pre- and post-intervention results within and between groups.
Results: Neurofeedback therapy significantly normalized alpha and beta brain wave activities in the experimental group (P < 0.01). Participants also reported substantial improvements in IBS symptom severity, including reduced abdominal pain, bloating, and irregular bowel habits (P < 0.01). No significant changes were observed in the control group.
Conclusions: Neurofeedback therapy effectively regulates brain wave activity and reduces IBS symptoms, offering a promising complementary approach for managing this chronic disease. These findings suggest that neurofeedback can be incorporated into clinical practice as a non-invasive, adjunctive treatment for IBS. Further large-scale, long-term studies are recommended to confirm these findings and optimize treatment protocols.
Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group was employed. Thirty female patients with IBS, diagnosed using the Rome III diagnostic criteria, were randomly assigned to experimental (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. The experimental group underwent 20 neurofeedback sessions over six weeks. Quantitative electroencephalography assessed brain wave activity and validated symptom severity scales, measured clinical outcomes. Statistical analyses compared pre- and post-intervention results within and between groups.
Results: Neurofeedback therapy significantly normalized alpha and beta brain wave activities in the experimental group (P < 0.01). Participants also reported substantial improvements in IBS symptom severity, including reduced abdominal pain, bloating, and irregular bowel habits (P < 0.01). No significant changes were observed in the control group.
Conclusions: Neurofeedback therapy effectively regulates brain wave activity and reduces IBS symptoms, offering a promising complementary approach for managing this chronic disease. These findings suggest that neurofeedback can be incorporated into clinical practice as a non-invasive, adjunctive treatment for IBS. Further large-scale, long-term studies are recommended to confirm these findings and optimize treatment protocols.
Keywords: Biofeedback Therapy, Brain-Gut Axis, Electroencephalography, Irritable bowel syndrome, Neurofeedback
Article Type: Research Article |
Subject:
Cognition
Received: 2025/10/27 | Accepted: 2026/02/10 | Published: 2026/05/15
Received: 2025/10/27 | Accepted: 2026/02/10 | Published: 2026/05/15
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