Hypnotherapy & CBT: Effective Therapies for Functional Bowel Disorders

Amy Taylor October 29, 2013

People suffering from a functional bowel disorder such as irritable bowel syndrome may benefit from complementary therapies particularly hypnosis and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), according to the new research by the University of Florida in the US.

Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is among the most common digestive problems which can cause diarrhoea, bloating, stomach cramps and constipation. The exact cause of IBS is unknown, but most experts agree that it is linked to an increased sensitivity of the entire gut. The debilitating symptoms of this condition can affect a person physiologically. In fact, the NHS estimates that three out of four people with IBS will develop at least one bout of depression, and more than half will have generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). There’s still no cure for IBS as of now.

The current study, headed by Oliver Grundmann of the UF College of Pharmacy and Saunjoo “Sunny” Yoon, Ph.D., of the UF College of Nursing, looked at 19 recent clinical trials to examine the benefits of four mind-body therapies in the treatment of functional bowel disorders. They were yoga, hypnotherapy, CBT and biofeedback. Among the four, the researchers found great benefits to hypnotherapy and CBT.

According to Dr Yoon, since functional bowel disorders are chronic conditions that often come and go, patients may develop negative attitudes that can affect their treatments. CBT is often used to help patients feel more positive. In one clinical study they have analysed, CBT was found to be as effective as antidepressant medications. Hypnosis, on the other hand, is used to alleviate pain. In some studies, this therapy was as effective as painkillers.

Nevertheless, although the results were promising, they were not conclusive, Dr Yoon pointed out. “A lot of times we get contradictory results from the clinical trials, so it can be confusing for the readers or the clinicians when they read it,” he said. “Our article can give them a better picture or better view about currently available clinical trials and the results of the trials.” The researcher added that physicians should not rule out complementary therapies when treating functional bowel disorders.

Their work was published in the European Journal of Integrative Medicine.

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Hypnosis, CBT May Benefit Patients with IBS