Mind-Body Practices Show Promise for Young IBD Patients

Quick fact: Complementary approaches like yoga and cognitive behavioral therapy are being studied alongside standard treatments for children with inflammatory bowel disease.

As pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) becomes more common in the United States, researchers are exploring how mind-body practices and dietary changes might support traditional medical care. Studies suggest that cognitive behavioral therapy, yoga, and acupuncture are linked to improved quality of life in young patients. Certain plant compounds with anti-inflammatory properties, including curcumin and Indigo naturalis, have shown encouraging results in clinical trials for ulcerative colitis disease activity. Methods aimed at modifying the gut microbiome, such as probiotics and fecal microbiota transplant, are also being investigated. However, researchers emphasize that more pediatric-specific studies are needed to evaluate safety and effectiveness before these approaches can be widely recommended.

Source: PMID 40772940 (Pediatric annals, 2025)