A cognitive behavioural therapy booklet for anxiety in functional gastrointestinal disorders: patient and health practitioner perspectives

OBJECTIVE: Psychotherapy is commonly used to treat functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGiDs), yet face-to-face psychotherapy is 15 labour intensive, less convenient for patients as it involves travel to the practice, costly and not always easily available. Self-administered psychotherapies have not been extensively investigated in this population. This study aimed to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a self-administered cognitive behavioural therapy booklet to reduce anxiety in patients with FGiD. METHOD: A mixed-methods study underpinned by the Health Belief Model was conducted. RESULTS: The booklet has been well received by patients (n = 26) and doctors (n = 8) and its acceptability and feasibility confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study suggest that this self-help tool is acceptable by patients and doctors as part of treatment for anxiety in FGiDs and its effectiveness should be further tested in adequately powered studies.