Prokinetic effect of gut-oriented hypnosis on gastric emptying.
BACKGROUND
No data are available on the effect of hypnosis on gastric emptying.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of a hypnosis session on gastric emptying and dyspeptic symptoms.


METHODS
We studied emptying by ultrasonography and epigastric sensations in 11 healthy subjects and in 15 patients affected by functional dyspepsia under three conditions according to a fixed schedule: (a) basal, (b) after cisapride and (c) during a 90 min hypnotic trance. Eight healthy subjects repeated an emptying study listening to relaxing music. Statistical analysis was performed using the Friedman test or RM-ANOVA.


RESULTS
In dyspeptics, the postprandial increase in the antral area was significantly smaller during the hypnosis trance than under the basal and the cisapride conditions. For the patients gastric emptying was significantly shortened by cisapride, and even more by hypnosis (basal 274 +/- 16.8 min; cisapride 227 +/- 13.2; hypnosis 150 +/- 9.7) whereas for healthy subjects it was shortened only by hypnosis. The repeated study in healthy subjects listening to relaxing music showed no significant difference compared with the basal. Epigastric sensations were improved in dyspeptics by hypnosis, but not by cisapride.


CONCLUSIONS
Gut-oriented hypnosis is effective in shortening gastric emptying both in dyspeptic and in healthy subjects.
Chiarioni
G
G
Department of Gastroenterology, Rehabilitation Hospital of Valeggio s/M, University of Verona, Verona, Italy. chiarioni@tin.it
Vantini
I
I
De Iorio
F
F
Benini
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D020117:Cisapride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000502:physiology*; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006990:Hypnosis / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009146:Music; D019518:Postprandial Period; D012063:Relaxation; D012677:Sensation; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013270:Stomach / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography
D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D020117:Cisapride