Systematic Review on Current Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome by Complimentary and Alternative Medicine
Authors
Juyairia Alam
(Pharmacy)
Abstract
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects people worldwide. It causes physical and emotional
anguish, typically alongside psychiatric illnesses. When conventional methods of treating
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) fail, patients may go to complementary and alternative
medicine (CAM) for relief. The quality of the evidence is uneven, but complementary and
alternative medicine (CAM) shows promise. A systematic review evaluates CAM efficacy,
safety, and mechanisms for IBS treatment to identify gaps and guide future research. This
systematic review evaluates and synthesises CAM’s efficacy and use in irritable bowel syndrome
treatment. This systematic review (1998-2023) included 15 studies from diverse sources,
utilizing keywords related to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Qualitative data methods
extracted insights into Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) interventions
for IBS. The evaluation covered main findings, clinical features, outcomes, adverse effects,
and follow-up periods. PRISMA-guided data extraction, including a flowchart, ensured a
systematic approach. Inclusion criteria comprised various study types, while exclusion criteria
targeted inconsistent data and low-quality studies. This study examines numerous controlled,
randomised, and multicenter studies on IBS therapies, including Ayurvedic formulations,
conventional nutrition, and CAM techniques. Participants, study locations, and interventions
vary in the global study. Results from various studies on IBS therapeutic efficacy, risk
factors, and patient preferences are shown. Studies on Ayurvedic, homoeopathic, and CAM
treatments provide a complete overview of IBS care. The study found that Ayurvedic and
CAM treatments for IBS are helpful, but mainstream medications are risky. To improve
efficacy, tailored, culturally relevant programmes need research and standardisation.