The experiences of physical activity in irritable bowel syndrome-A qualitative study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore experiences of physical activity in patients with Irritable bowel syndrome. BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome is a common functional bowel disorder. The knowledge of physical activity in Irritable bowel syndrome is limited and has not been qualitatively studied before. METHODS: We adopted a qualitative approach and a hermeneutic analysis. Fifteen patients with Irritable bowel syndrome (10 women) with a median age of 52 (31-78) years were interviewed. The Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research was used. RESULTS: Two themes emerged from the data: requirements of physical activity and capability for physical activity. The first of these consisted of five subthemes: add additional value, enable transportation, maintain health, cultivate interests and give a feeling of belonging. These qualities were the patients' requirements of physical activity and comprised the patients' motives and reasons for being physically active. The second consisted of four subthemes: life situation, earlier experiences, self-image, and symptom variation and described the possibility and resources to be physically active in everyday life. The patients made active choices to adjust their physical activity in terms of type, intensity and amount. The two main themes affect each other reciprocally. CONCLUSIONS: The requirements of and capabilities for physical activity should be taken into account when giving advice to patients on physical activity. Physical activity for a person with Irritable bowel syndrome is about finding activities which meet the patient's individual requirements of and capability for physical activity. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This qualitative study on the experience pf physical activity in Irritable bowel syndrome provides knowledge to facilitate promoting physical activity among patients suffering from Irritable bowel syndrome. This knowledge can be used in other diagnosis.

Experiences of the effects of physical activity in persons with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): a qualitative content analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Increased physical activity has been tested among patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in a randomized trial which demonstrated improvement in gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. The patients' experiences of the effects of physical activity on IBS symptoms are unknown. This knowledge is necessary to enable suitable support from health care professionals. The aim of this study was therefore to explore patients' experiences of the effects of physical activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Deep interviews were conducted with 15 patients (10 women and 5 men) aged 31-78 years. Their IBS had lasted for 10-57 years. The transcribed interviews were analyzed through a qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The analysis of the material revealed three themes; GI symptoms, extra-intestinal symptoms, and quality of life (QOL). In relation to GI symptoms, the patients discussed how physical activity affected these symptoms and how they used physical activity to normalize and control their GI symptoms. Extra-intestinal symptoms were also affected by physical activity, and the patients described how they experienced a general bodily wellbeing as well as improved mood and energy in relation to physical activity. In terms of QOL, the patients discussed their perspectives on physical activity as giving them achievements, being pleasurable, and being strengthening of the self. CONCLUSIONS: Our results emphasize the importance of taking into account the patient's experiences of the effects of physical activity when coaching patients with IBS to be physically active. Using a person-centred approach incorporating, the patient's own experiences and resources is the key to successfully promoting physical activity in the clinic.

Physical activity improves symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Physical activity has been shown to be effective in the treatment of conditions, such as fibromyalgia and depression. Although these conditions are associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), no study has assessed the effect of physical activity on gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in IBS. The aim was to study the effect of physical activity on symptoms in IBS. METHODS: We randomized 102 patients to a physical activity group and a control group. Patients of the physical activity group were instructed by a physiotherapist to increase their physical activity, and those of the control group were instructed to maintain their lifestyle. The primary end point was to assess the change in the IBS Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS). RESULTS: A total of 38 (73.7% women, median age 38.5 (19-65) years) patients in the control group and 37 (75.7% women, median age 36 (18-65) years) patients in the physical activity group completed the study. There was a significant difference in the improvement in the IBS-SSS score between the physical activity group and the control group (-51 (-130 and 49) vs. -5 (-101 and 118), P=0.003). The proportion of patients with increased IBS symptom severity during the study was significantly larger in the control group than in the physical activity group. CONCLUSIONS: Increased physical activity improves GI symptoms in IBS. Physically active patients with IBS will face less symptom deterioration compared with physically inactive patients. Physical activity should be used as a primary treatment modality in IBS.

Intervention to increase physical activity in irritable bowel syndrome shows long-term positive effects.

AIM: To assess the long-term effects of physical activity on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms and on quality of life, fatigue, depression and anxiety. METHODS: Seventy-six patients from a previous randomized controlled interventional study on increased physical activity in IBS were asked to participate in this long-term follow-up study. The included patients attended one visit in which they filled out questionnaires and they underwent a submaximal cycle ergometer test. The primary end point was the change in the IBS Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS) at baseline, i.e., before the intervention and at follow-up. The secondary endpoints were changes in quality of life, fatigue, depression and anxiety. RESULTS: A total of 39 [32 women, median age 45 (28-61) years] patients were included in this follow-up. Median follow-up time was 5.2 (range: 3.8-6.2) years. The IBS symptoms were improved compared with baseline [IBS-SSS: 276 (169-360) vs 218 (82-328), P = 0.001]. This was also true for the majority of the dimensions of psychological symptoms such as disease specific quality of life, fatigue, depression and anxiety. The reported time of physical activity during the week before the visit had increased from 3.2 (0.0-10.0) h at baseline to 5.2 (0.0-15.0) h at follow-up, P = 0.019. The most common activities reported were walking, aerobics and cycling. There was no significant difference in the oxygen uptake 31.8 (19.7-45.8) mL per min per kg at baseline vs 34.6 (19.0-54.6) mL/min per kg at follow-up. CONCLUSION: An intervention to increase physical activity has positive long-term effects on IBS symptoms and psychological symptoms.