Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Research has shown that hypnotherapy can be ‘”exceptionally helpful’” in the management of irritable bowel syndrome. Dr. Peter Whorwell, based in Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, England, a leading expert on gastrointestinal disorders, particularly IBS, in the UK National Health Service has developed a unit within the hospital which uses hypnotherapy with individuals with IBS.
In his paper the “Effective Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome- The Manchester Model” he elucidates on the use of hypnotherapy within the unit. He states that:
“ One of the most gratifying aspects of hypnotherapy is that all symptoms, including the extra-intestinal manifestations (Gonsalkorale et al.,2002), improve. This is in sharp contrast to pharmacological approaches where often relatively few symptoms are resolved. Even when patients’ symptoms do not respond to therapy, we have found from our follow-up surveys that more than 95% state that the experience has benefited them in other ways and has therefore been worthwhile”
In an article of a study, fully peer reviewed, published in 2015, “Hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome: an audit of one thousand adult patients”, the background of the study was stated as being;
”Gut-focused hypnotherapy improves the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with benefits being sustained for many years. Despite this, the technique has not been widely adopted by healthcare systems, possibly due to relatively small numbers in published studies and uncertainty about how it should be provided.”
The study as it was of 1000 adults is therefore useful in determining the effectiveness in real world terms of using hypnotherapy in relation to IBS.
The study set itself the benchmark of identifying, the effect of hypnotherapy upon 1000 individuals who, due to the 12 sessions of hypnotherapy, had a 50 point reduction in their individual IBS Symptom Severity Score. Any fall in scores for Non Colonic Symptoms, Quality of Life, Anxiety or Depression were considered secondary outcomes. A reduction in abdominal pain of 30% or more was also recorded.
The results were that overall 76% of the 1000 met the primary outcome of a 50 point or more reduction in their individual IBS Symptom Severity Score with the mean reduction score being of 129 points.
Additionally the mean reductions for the Non Colonic Symptom Score was 65 and the Quality of Life score 66.
67% reported a reduction of 30% or more in abdominal pain scores.
Pain days fell from 18 a month to 9.
Patients with anxiety fell from 63% to 34%.
Patients with depression fell from 25% to 12%.
The conclusion of the study was that:
“These results provide further evidence that gut-focused hypnotherapy is an effective intervention for refractory IBS”
The hypnotherapy methods used at the Wythenshawe Hospital by Dr Whorwell’s team can be replicated by myself. If you feel you would like to arrange a free initial consultation to discuss your personal situation please click here.