WISH upon a gut: can optimism ease IBS?

NCT ID NCT06866106

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests a 9-week phone-based program called WISH that teaches positive psychology exercises to people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The goal is to see if the program is practical and helpful for improving symptoms. Researchers will compare it to an educational control group and look at how it affects the gut-brain connection.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Positive psychology (PP) intervention (behavioral)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could offer a simple, phone-based way to help IBS patients feel better by boosting optimism and reducing stress.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early feasibility study with only 50 people. It's not designed to prove the treatment works, and results may not apply to everyone with IBS.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

irritable bowel syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Massachusetts General Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••