Evidence mapPaperPMID 41756281Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in immunology2026

The effects of different exercise interventions on clinical outcomes of irritable bowel syndrome and their potential mechanisms: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Zheping Quan, Weijia Song, Qianting Huang, Jiale Wang

Abstract readSystematic ReviewNetwork Meta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in immunology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Zheping QuanDepartment of Physical Education, Taiyuan Normal University, Jinzhong, Shanxi, China.
Weijia SongDepartment of Physical Education, Taiyuan Normal University, Jinzhong, Shanxi, China.
Qianting HuangCollege of Sports Physical Education and Recreation, Cavite State University, Cavite, Philippines.
Jiale WangPhysical Education and Sports, Belarusian National Technical University, Minsk, Belarus.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort accompanied by altered bowel habits, often alongside psychological symptoms. Increasing evidence suggests that exercise interventions not only alleviate clinical symptoms but may also exert effects through modulation of the gut-immune axis. This study aims to systematically compare the effects of different exercise modalities on symptoms, quality of life, and psychological status in IBS patients, whilst exploring potential immunological mechanisms. Methods: The PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched for literature from inception to June 2025, and conventional Meta-analysis and Web Meta-analysis were performed using RevMan 5.4 and R 4.3.3 software. Results: Sixteen studies were included, covering interventions such as running, moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, Pilates, yoga, and Baguazhang. Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and Pilates demonstrated significant effects (P < 0.05) in improving depression and anxiety scores, as well as IBS-SSS and IBS-QOL scores. Running and aerobic exercise showed the best overall efficacy. Mechanistically, exercise interventions may have a synergistic effect on the brain-gut-immune axis by enhancing parasympathetic activity, modulating the HPA axis, improving gut microbiota, strengthening intestinal barrier function, and reducing systemic inflammation. This approach alleviates gastrointestinal symptoms while enhancing mental wellbeing. Conclusion: Various exercise interventions may improve clinical symptoms and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome to a certain extent, and may possess potential immunomodulatory effects. As a relatively safe and cost-effective non-pharmacological treatment, exercise holds considerable clinical application potential in the comprehensive management of irritable bowel syndrome. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD420251132835.

Indexed as

ExerciseExercise TherapyIrritable Bowel SyndromeHumansQuality of LifeTreatment Outcomeexercise interventiongut-immune axisirritable bowel syndromenetwork meta-analysissystematic review

Identifiers

PMID41756281
PMCPMC12932423

What Socratic holds

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.