The primary aim of this study will be to assess the benefits of disease-targeted VR combined with linaclotide, compared to sham VR combined with linaclotide, in patients with IBS-C as defined by Rome IV criteria. The investigators hypothesize that compared to patients receiving sham VR and linaclotide, IBS-C patients receiving combination therapy with active VR and linaclotide will achieve statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in disease-targeted health-related quality of life while demonstrating improvements in global IBS symptoms, including abdominal pain.~Aims~Evaluate changes in quality of life using the validated IBS-QoL (primary outcome);~Evaluate global improvement in IBS symptoms using the validated IBS-SSS;~Assess global improvement in IBS symptoms using the validated Abdominal Scoring system (11);~Evaluate improvement in abdominal pain using a numerical rating system (NRS);~Assess improvement in constipation using the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS);~Evaluate response to bloating using the validated Mayo bloating questionnaire (12);~Assess response to coexisting psychological distress using the validated HADs questionnaire;~Evaluate changes in work productivity using the validated WPAI.
The purpose of this study is to determine if adult patients with IBS-C will report an overall greater improvement in IBS symptoms and quality of life when treated with a combination of linaclotide (standard of care medication) and immersive virtual reality (VR) therapy compared to those treated with linaclotide and sham (placebo) VR therapy.