Hypnotherapy an effective treatment for IBS (1996)
The effect of hypnotherapy on severe IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) was
studied at University Hospital of South Manchester. 25 patients suffering from
IBS were treated with hypnotherapy and the effect was assessed by
comparison with 25 patients suffering a similar degeee of IBS who
received no such treatment. Patients treated with hypnotherapy reported
significantly less severe abdominal pain, bloating, bowel habit, nausea,
flatulence, urinary symptoms, lethargy and backache than the control patients.
In addition hypnotherapy profoundly improved the patients' quality of life and
reduced absenteeism from work.
Benefits of Hypnotherapy for IBS last for Years (2003)
The long term effects of hypnotherapy for IBS have been studied at
the University Hospital of South Manchester. 204 patients with IBS were
given one-hour sessions of Hypnotherapy for up to
12 weeks and were asked to assess their symptoms, quality of life
and levels of anxiety and depression before and after treatment and
for up to six years after completing the course. 71% responded to therapy and
almost all of these maintained their improvement over 5 or 6 years. Quality of
life and anxiety or depression were significantly improved at follow up and
patients reported a reduction in consultation rates and medication following hypnotherapy.
It was concluded that hypnotherapy is a viable therapy for IBS and beneficial effects
last for at least 5 years.
On 28 October 2003, the lead researcher, Dr Wendy Gonsalkorale, interviewed on
BBC News said "While other studies have shown that symptoms
have improved by a course of hypnotherapy, the real significance
is our finding that these effects are sustained after treatment sessions
have finished, rather than patients just reverting back to their original
state. "We firmly believe that hypnotherapy should be available
as a standard treatment for all patients with IBS."
Nurses use Hypnotherapy in Successful Case Study (2006)
75 patients with IBS in and Edinbugh Hospital were treated with
Hypnotherapy by trained nurses.
Physical symptoms and quality of life (emotional, mental health,
sleep, physical function, energy and social role)
significantly improved after hypnotherapy. These improvements were most
marked in female patients who reported abdominal pain as their predominant
physical symptom. Anxiety and depression improved following treatment.
It was concluded that gut-directed hypnotherapy has a very positive impact on
IBS being most effective in patients with abdominal pain and distension.
Hypnotherapy for Children With Abdominal Pain or IBS (2007/2012)
A study was carried out in the Netherlands with 53 patients aged 8-18 years suffering
from IBS and abdominal pain. Half were treated with standard medical therapy (SMT)
and half with Hypnotherapy. Pain decreased in both groups, but Hypnotherapy was
highly superior, with a significantly greater reduction in pain scores compared with SMT.
It was concluded that Hypnotherapy already known to be an effective treatment for
adults with IBS, was also highly effective in the treatment of children with
longstanding abdominal pain or IBS.
The young people in this research were followed up in 2011 after an interval of
5 years. Pain intensity and pain frequency scores at follow-up were 2.8 and 2.3
respectively in the Hypnotherapy group compared with 7.3 and 7.1 in the control group.
It was concluded that the beneficial effects of Hypnotherapy are long lasting
with two thirds still in remission almost 5 years after treatment, making it a
highly valuable therapeutic option.
Swedish Patients Satisfied with Hypnotherapy (2012)
83 patients with IBS were treated with Hypnotherapy for 1 hour a week for up
to 12 weeks. The great majority were satisfied or very satisfied with their
treatment for symptom reduction and quality of life.
NICE Guidelines for IBS
NICE guidelines for treatment of IBS in the NHS recommend that Hypnotherapy should be
considered for patients who have not responded to medical treatment. The guidelines also call for further
research into the effectiveness of Hypnotherapy for IBS. Much of the research reported above was not
available at the time the guidelines were issued.
At Mid Surrey Hypnotherapy, I have had great succes with many
IBS sufferers who had exhausted other means of treatment *
* disclaimer: please be aware that results may vary
from person and a specific result cannot be guaranteed