Nurse-Administered, Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy in IBS: Efficacy and Factors Predicting a Positive Response

Am J Clin Hypn. 2015 Jul;58(1):100-14. doi: 10.1080/00029157.2015.1030492.

Abstract

Hypnotherapy is an effective treatment in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is often delivered by a psychotherapist and is costly and time consuming. Nurse-administered hypnotherapy could increase availability and reduce costs. In this study the authors evaluate the effectiveness of nurse-administered, gut-directed hypnotherapy and identify factors predicting treatment outcome. Eighty-five patients were included in the study. Participants received hypnotherapy by a nurse once/week for 12 weeks. Patients reported marked improvement in gastrointestinal (GI) and extra-colonic symptoms after treatment, as well as a reduction in GI-specific anxiety, general anxiety, and depression. Fifty-eight percent were responders after the 12 weeks treatment period, and of these 82% had a favorable clinical response already at week 6. Women were more likely than men to respond favorably to the treatment. Nurse-administered hypnotherapy is an effective treatment for IBS. Being female and reporting a favorable response to treatment by week 6 predicted a positive treatment response at the end of the 12 weeks treatment period.

Keywords: IBS; abdominal pain; adult; gut-directed hypnotherapy; nursing.

Publication types

  • Clinical Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cooperative Behavior
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Hypnosis / methods*
  • Interdisciplinary Communication
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome / nursing*
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome / psychology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sex Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult