Hypnotherapy in severe irritable bowel syndrome: further experience

• Published in: Gut Vol. 28; no. 4; pp. 423 - 425
• Main Authors: Whorwell, P J, Prior, A, Colgan, S M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Society of Gastroenterology 01.04.1987; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Colonic Diseases, Functional - therapy; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Humans; Hypnosis; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Other diseases. Semiology; Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus; Human; Treatment; Irritable bowel syndrome; Various treatments; Digestive diseases; Hypnosis; Psychopathology; Severe
• ISSN: 0017-5749; 1468-3288; 1458-3288
• DOI: 10.1136/gut.28.4.423

Fifteen patients with severe intractable irritable bowel syndrome previously reported as successfully treated with hypnotherapy, have now been followed up for a mean duration of 18 months. All patients remain in remission although two have experienced a single relapse overcome by an additional session of hypnotherapy. Experience with a further 35 patients is reported giving a total group of 50. This group was divided into classical cases, atypical cases and cases exhibiting significant psychopathology. The response rates were 95%, 43%, and 60% respectively. Patients over the age of 50 years responded very poorly (25%) whereas those below the age of 50 with classical irritable bowel syndrome exhibited a 100% response rate. This study confirms the successful effect of hypnotherapy in a larger series of patients with irritable bowel syndrome and defines some subgroup variations.