Efficacy of hypnotherapy in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. A systematic review with meta-analysis

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Abstract

BACKGROUND. Hypnotherapy is one of the treatments for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

AIM. Meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of its use and to identify the most optimal conditions for its implementation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. We analyzed Scientific medical databases PubMed, EMBASE, eLibrary for the period from 2005 to 2022. Studies performed on adult samples of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of IBS on the basis of Rome II–IV with a control group were selected. Included studies were analyzed for risks of bias and publication bias. Clinical efficacy was assessed by comparing data on gastrointestinal symptoms reduction and psychological condition. A subgroup analysis was used to compare the effectiveness of group and individual hypnotherapy, as well as the number of sessions conducted.

RESULTS. Nine studies (867 patients) were included in the final meta-analysis. Hypnotherapy was significantly more effective in reducing gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with IBS compared to controls (SMD=0.25 [95% CI 0.02–0.49], I2=53%, p=0.03), with positive effects persisting up to one year (SMD=0.34 [95% CI 0.07–0.60], p=0.01). Hypnotherapy resulted in an equalization of the psychological distress (MD=1.09 [95% CI from –1.27 to 3.44], p=0.37), but the results were not significant. Group hypnotherapy (SMD=0.35 [95% CI 0.01–0.70], p=0.05) and higher amount of hypnotherapy sessions during treatment (SMD=0.35 [95% CI 0.14–0.57], p=0.001) were more effective.

CONCLUSION. Based on the results of this systematic review, it is fair to assume that the most effective use of hypnotherapy in patients with IBS, including those with therapy-resistant forms, is more than 7 sessions of group hypnotherapy more than once a week with a minimum session time of 45 minutes.

About the authors

Kirill V. Markin

S.M. Kirov Military Medical Academy, Ministry of Defense of Russia

Author for correspondence.
Email: vmeda.work@ya.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-6242-1279
SPIN-code: 5416-7490
ResearcherId: AAX-2975-2021

resident doctor

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

Alexandr V. Temniy

S.M. Kirov Military Medical Academy, Ministry of Defense of Russia

Email: al.temniy@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-8813-5708
SPIN-code: 2072-1868

medical specialist

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

Konstantin V. Dnov

S.M. Kirov Military Medical Academy, Ministry of Defense of Russia

Email: konstantindnov@ya.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-1054-4779
SPIN-code: 1399-7330

Cand. Sci. (Med.), Associate Professor

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

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Supplementary files

Supplementary Files
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1. JATS XML
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2. Figure 1. PRISMA Diagram

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3. Figure 2. Standardized difference in the mean severity of gastrointestinal symptoms

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4. Figure 3. Standardized difference in the mean severity of gastrointestinal symptoms 12 months after therapy

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5. Figure 4. Difference in the average severity of distress (HADS total score)

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6. Figure 5. Standardized difference in the mean severity of gastrointestinal symptoms when comparing individual and group hypnotherapy

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7. Figure 6. Standardized difference in mean GI symptoms for 6 sessions or less versus more than 6 sessions

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8. Figure 7. Funnel chart for estimating publication bias

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Copyright (c) 2022 Markin K.V., Temniy A.V., Dnov K.V.

License URL: D8 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

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