The objective of the MINT study is to investigate the effectiveness of peppermint oil capsules compared to placebo capsules in reducing abdominal pain intensity in children with IBS or FAP-NOS. In addition, we evaluate the effect of peppermint oil capsules compared to placebo capsules on other disease-related outcome measures such as anxiety & depression, quality of life, absenteeism from school, and healthcare costs. The second aim is to explore the effectiveness of regular mints in reducing abdominal pain intensity compared to peppermint oil capsules and placebo capsules and the effect of mints on secondary outcome parameters.
Peppermint oil has shown to be effective in the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) symptoms in adults. Few studies of low quality are performed in an paediatric setting. Therefore, the investigators will conduct a multicenter randomized, placebo controlled trial to investigate the effects of an eight-week peppermint oil treatment in paediatric IBS or Functional Abdominal Pain - Not otherwise specified (FAP-NOS) patients.