Efficacy of Virtual Reality (VR) for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Who can take part

• English-speaking
• 18 years or older
• Meet Rome IV criteria, as diagnosed either by a licensed physician or via self-report using the Rome IBS questionnaire, for IBS for any type: IBS-C (IBS with constipation), IBS-D (IBS with diarrhea), and IBS-M (mixed-type IBS)

Who cannot take part

• Patients using regular doses of opioid medications will also be excluded given the often-severe impact of opioids on GI motility and potential for pharmacological visceral hyperalgesia
• Individuals with a comorbid disorder that may confound the diagnosis of IBS, including:
• celiac disease
• inflammatory bowel disease
• autoimmune disorders that affect the GI system
• history of bowel resection
• HIV/AIDS ( human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)
• diabetes with HgA1c>7.0
• eosinophilic bowel disease
• any other condition that a licensed physician believes can mimic IBS symptoms and undermine diagnostic certitude
• Any history of seizure
• Ongoing treatment for a GI cancer
• Major audiovisual impairment (complete blindness, deafness)
• neuroendocrine tumors
• microscopic colitis
• lactase deficiency
• acute intermittent porphyria
• No WiFi at home
• Inability to understand English at 6th grade level
• Any events planned over the 8 weeks of the study that could end your ability to participate in the study, such as a medical procedure, vacation, or change in residence (Note: the study team can always delay enrollment)