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November 19, 2002
First ever study uses yoga to treat irritable bowel syndrome in adolescents
Vancouver-Adolescents with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are the subject of a unique study using yoga to control abdominal pain and other symptoms. Scientists at the BC Research Institute for Children's & Women's Health are now launching the second phase of the study which targets the 11-17 age range.
"This is the first time a study has looked at relieving pain through yoga for adolescents," says Dr. Leora Kuttner, a Clinical Psychologist specializing in pediatric pain management and Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of British Columbia. "We have interest from colleagues in other parts of the world who want to work with us to turn this into an international study. Most importantly the children in the first phase felt better in many respects after participating in the study. Our results are promising."
The cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be difficult to trace particularly in children, many of them suffering for years with pain, nausea, anxiety and poor attendance at school. Similarly there is little known in scientific circles about the impact of yoga on children's pain although yoga has become very popular in B.C. in the past few years as a means of relaxing or staying fit.
"We are encouraged by the results from the first phase of the study and are now looking for more teens between 11-17 years of age to participate in the second phase," says Dr. Kuttner. "They will be introduced to the yoga treatment program with us and receive a video of the program to take home and practice with for ten minutes every day for one month. Members of our research team will check in with the adolescents every week. In the long run, this study could play an important role in the way adolescents are treated for IBS pain."
Participation in this study requires a visit to the clinic setting while yoga practice may be done at home with follow-up over the phone. There is no cost to families.
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