title: Group hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome with long-term follow-up.
abstract: This study tested whether group gut-focused hypnotherapy would improve irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Several possible outcome predictors were also studied. Before treatment, 75 patients completed a Symptom Severity Scale, a Mind-Body attribution questionnaire, and a Quality of Relationship Inventory (QRI). The symptom scale was completed posttreatment, 3, 6, and 12 months later. There was significant symptom reduction at each data point (p < .001). Sixty percent had a reduction of more than 50 points, indicative of clinical improvement. Initial severity score (p = .0004) and QRI conflict (p = .057) were directly correlated with a response to hypnotherapy, while attribution of symptoms to mind (emotional) causation was inversely correlated (p = .0056). The authors conclude that group hypnotherapy is effective in patients with IBS.
authors.affiliation: Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10023, USA. cgerson@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Charles D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Gerson
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gerson
authors.forename: Mary-Joan
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gerson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006990:Hypnosis / Q000379:methods*; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult