Research project led by Bailey Hanna, MS, RDN - no affiliate links, ads or sponsored products.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the effects of this 2-strain probiotic blend in an adult IBS population.(1) Despite being of decent quality, the study was statistically underpowered. Regardless, the probiotic appeared to be superior to placebo in improving flatulence scores and the composite symptom score categorized under “global IBS symptoms.” No significant differences were observed between the probiotic and placebo groups for stool frequency, consistency, bloating scores, abdominal pain scores, or the symptom of “rumbling.”
Key Takeaway:
An underpowered but otherwise decent quality study found improvements in flatulence scores and a composite symptom score for this 2-strain probiotic. While this probiotic may have therapeutic potential for IBS, more well-conducted and sufficiently powered studies are needed to confirm its benefits.
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A 2-strain mixture of Lactobacillus acidophilus in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: A placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial
Dig Liv Dis 2020;52:534-540
ADULTS
No data
No significant differences between groups were observed for stool frequency (P = 0.73) and consistency (P = 0.89) at the end of the trial
Significant differences between groups were found for composite scores at week 8 (79.2 ± 9.6 vs 103.7 ± 9.8, in probiotics and placebo groups respectively; LS Means differences = 24.54 ± 11.84; P = 0.04). The composite score was the sum of 4 VAS scores (abdominal pain/discomfort, bloating, flatus and rumbling) calculated for each patient.
Abdominal pain score was significantly improved in both groups at weeks 4 and 8 (P < 0.0001), but no significant differences were found between groups at week 8 (19.0 ± 2.5 vs 25.1 ± 2.6, respectively; LS Means differences = 6.0 ± 3.2; P = 0.06).
Bloating scores improved significantly in both groups (P < 0.0001) after 8 weeks of treatment compared with baseline, but no significant differences between groups were found at week 8 (20.7 ± 2.8 vs 26.3 ± 2.8, in probiotics and placebo groups respectively; LS Means differences = 5.6 ± 3.5; P = 0.10)
Significant differences between groups were found for flatus scores at week 4 (28.3 ± 3.0 vs 36.0 ± 3.1, in probiotics and placebo groups respectively; LS Means differences = 7.7 ± 3.7; P = 0.04) and week 8 (21.3 ± 3.0 vs 29.6 ± 3.1, in probiotics and placebo groups respectively; LS Means differences = 8.2 ± 3.8; P = 0.03).
For the symptom of “rumbling” there were no significant differences between the probiotic and placebo group (p=0.21)