The Effects of Two Stress Management Techniques on Feelings of Well-being in Patients With Inflammatory Bowell Disease

Abstract

This paper describes a pilot project designed to assess the effects of two stress management techniques _ deep abdominal breathing and massage _ on feelings of well-being in a sample of outpatients with inflammatory bowel disease. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) incorporates ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease (Anderson, 1982). IBD is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder which occurs in periods of remission and exacerbation. While stress as an antecedent to IBD remains controversial, the symptoms of IBD such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss are stress producing. The problems are chronic and last the duration of the person's life. Two questions arise: 1. Do stress management techniques promote feelings of well-being among the patients and enable them to better cope with the symptoms of their disease? 2. Does performing stress management techniques alter the degree to which a person perceives a situation as stress producing or promote better ways that an individual could cope with stressful events?