Mind–Body Interventions for Alleviating Symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain (IC/BP) syndrome is a complex chronic condition that can be challenging to manage even with combinations of behavioral modification, pelvic floor physical therapy, and medication. Some previous small studies have suggested potential benefit from mind–body interventions.

In this single-center study, researchers in New Mexico randomized 97 women (mean age, 50) with moderate-to-severe IC/BP symptoms to standard care or standard care plus a mind–body intervention (i.e., daily 10-minute meditation using a smartphone app and daily 20-minute yoga videos developed by a pelvic floor physical therapist). Standard care included medications, behavioral modification, or both.

Women who received the intervention were sign…