Irritable Bowel Syndrome Hypnotherapy

The primary goal of the study was whether gut focused hypnotherapy, in a group format, was successful in reduction of symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. The secondary goal was to see if any outcome predictors could be determined.

Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome entering a group hypnotherapy program are asked to complete a series of questionnaires at the outset, and repeat a symptom severity scale at intervals over the one year period after termination of treatment. Eligibility was limited to patients with age greater than 20. Outcome measures were improvement in symptom score. Outcome predictors studied included quality of relationships, measured with a Quality of Relationship Inventory and attribution of IBS to physical or emotional cause, measured with a Mind-Body IBS Questionnaire, both administered before onset of hypnotherapy.

assessed by symptom severity scale given before treatment began and after 7 bi-weekly sessions, at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months

Percentage of Patients With Significant Reduction in Their IBS Symptom Severity Score One Year After Completion of Therapy.

The IBS Symptom Severity Scale has four components, severity of abdominal pain, number of days with pain in past 10 days, abdominal distension, bowel habit and interference with life in general. Maximum score is 500, minimum score is 0. The lower the score, the lower the symptom severity. Participants are considered clinically improved if they have a reduction in score of 50 points or greater.

to determine whether relationship quality, or attribution of symptoms to physical or emotional causation correlated with result

Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome by Rome II criteria, age 20 and older Exclusion Criteria: Age below 20