title: Long-term success of GUT-directed group hypnosis for patients with refractory irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Gut-directed hypnotherapy (GHT) in individual sessions is highly effective in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This study aimed to assess the long-term effect of GHT in group sessions for refractory IBS.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 164 patients with IBS (Rome-III-criteria) were screened, and 100 refractory to usual treatment were randomized 1:1 either to supportive talks with medical treatment (SMT) or to SMT with GHT (10 weekly sessions within 12 weeks). The primary end point was a clinically important improvement on several dimensions of daily life (assessed by IBS impact scale) after treatment and 12-month follow-up. The secondary end point was improvement in general quality of life (QOL; Medical Outcome Study Short-Form-36), psychological status (Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale) and reduction of single IBS symptoms. Analysis was by intention to treat.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 90 patients received allocated intervention. After treatment, 28 (60.8%) out of 46 GHT patients and 18 (40.9%) out of 44 SMTs improved (absolute difference 20.0%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0-40.2%; P=0.046); over 15 months, 54.3% of GHT patients and 25.0% of controls improved (absolute difference 29.4%; 95% CI 10.1-48.6%; P=0.004). GHT with SMT improved physical and psychological well being significantly more than SMT alone (P<0.001). Gender, age, disease duration and IBS type did not have an influence on the long-term success of GHT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GHT improves IBS-related QOL, is superior to SMT alone, and shows a long-term effect even in refractory IBS.
authors: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. gabriele.moser@meduniwien.ac.at
authors: Gabriele
authors: G
authors: Moser
authors: Silja
authors: S
authors: Trägner
authors: Ewelina Elwira
authors: EE
authors: Gajowniczek
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Mikulits
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Michalski
authors: Lili
authors: L
authors: Kazemi-Shirazi
authors: Stefanie
authors: S
authors: Kulnigg-Dabsch
authors: Martina
authors: M
authors: Führer
authors: Elisabeth
authors: E
authors: Ponocny-Seliger
authors: Clemens
authors: C
authors: Dejaco
authors: Wolfgang
authors: W
authors: Miehsler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety; D001317:Austria; D003863:Depression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006990:Hypnosis / Q000379:methods*; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome