Lana Dardari, MD1, Maher Taha, MD2, Rashid Abdel-Razeq, MD3 1Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Westlake, OH; 2Texas Health Resources, Irving, TX; 3Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH Introduction: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder that impairs quality of life through symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits. Its pathophysiology involves motility disturbances, visceral hypersensitivity, and gut microbiome dysbiosis. While pharmacological treatments exist, non-pharmacological options like physical activity have gained attention. Walking, a simple aerobic exercise, shows promise in relieving IBS symptoms. This systematic review explores its effects on IBS severity, quality of life, and microbiome modulation. Methods: The search was conducted on Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, and Cochrane Central databases to identify studies evaluating the effects of walking on IBS symptoms. Twenty-one studies met inclusion criteria, including randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and observational studies. Outcomes assessed included gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, bloating, bowel habits), quality of life, psychological well-being, and microbiome composition. Walking duration, frequency, and intensity were also analyzed to identify optimal intervention protocols. Results: Among 21 studies, walking interventions varied in duration (4–12 weeks), frequency (3–5 times/week), and intensity (moderate, targeting heart rate). Most studies reported significant improvements in IBS symptoms, especially in less active individuals and noted reduced abdominal pain, bloating, and stool irregularity. Walking also improved psychological well-being, reducing anxiety and depression. Some studies noted favorable shifts in gut microbiome diversity, particularly with longer or personalized walking regimens, suggesting a potential role in symptom relief. Discussion: Walking shows potential as an effective, low-cost, and accessible strategy for managing IBS. It improves gastrointestinal symptoms and mental health, likely through enhanced gut motility, reduced visceral sensitivity, and gut-brain axis modulation. Some studies report improved microbiome diversity, though findings remain inconsistent due to variability in study design and analysis methods. Standardized, long-term research is needed to clarify mechanisms. Overall, walking may offer a sustainable way to improve both physical and psychological outcomes in IBS patients.
Disclosures: Lana Dardari indicated no relevant financial relationships. Maher Taha indicated no relevant financial relationships. Rashid Abdel-Razeq indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Lana Dardari, MD1, Maher Taha, MD2, Rashid Abdel-Razeq, MD3. P0800 - Effect of Walking on the Reduction of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Symptoms: A Systematic Review, ACG 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting Abstracts. Phoenix, AZ: American College of Gastroenterology.
