Individual and group hypnotherapy in treatment of refractory irritable bowel syndrome

Lancet. 1989 Feb 25;1(8635):424-5. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(89)90013-5.

Abstract

33 patients with refractory irritable bowel syndrome were treated with four 40-minute sessions of hypnotherapy over 7 weeks. 20 improved, 11 of whom lost almost all their symptoms. Short-term improvement was maintained for 3 months without further formal treatment. Hypnotherapy in groups of up to 8 patients was as effective as individual therapy.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Colonic Diseases, Functional / therapy*
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Hypnosis / methods*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Random Allocation
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Time Factors