BackgroundDiarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder with complex and incompletely understood pathophysiology. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of abdominal massage on diarrhea-predominant IBS-D using a rat model.MethodsIBS-D was induced in Sprague–Dawley rats through a combination of maternal separation and chronic stress. The experimental interventions consisted of abdominal massage and