Hypnotherapy for people living with IBS; what influences perceptions and effectiveness

Krouwel, Matthew John ORCID: 0000-0001-7586-1321 (2022). Hypnotherapy for people living with IBS; what influences perceptions and effectiveness. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Hypnotherapy is a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) which is demonstrably effective in treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a chronic functional condition, characterized by gastric pain. Hypnotherapy for IBS appears to be relatively little used by people living with the condition. Further, it is not known what delivery factors contribute to effectiveness.

A mixed methods investigation was undertaken, starting with a narrative review of the public’s opinions of hypnosis and hypnotherapy. This found a broad positivity towards hypnotherapy, conditional upon associations with conventional medicine or psychology. A qualitative study followed which found a tendency towards disengagement with conventional medical services, and subsequent adoption of self-care measures, but that there was a low level of awareness of hypnotherapy for IBS and little idea how it might help. However, participants were broadly open to it. A systematic review, meta-analysis, and subgroup analysis of trials of hypnotherapy for IBS identified three factors within the delivery characteristics of a hypnotherapy for IBS intervention which were associated with effective outcomes: group, weekly and high-volume delivery. A survey into people with IBS’s attitudes towards hypnotherapy for IBS, identified that a lack of awareness and practical factors, such as travel time and cost, were the main barriers, but concerns regarding ability to enter trance and vulnerability in trance states were also present.

The thesis has substantially advanced the existing knowledge regarding the understanding of hypnotherapy for IBS by people with the condition and what factors are associated with the success of the intervention. The findings show poor awareness of hypnotherapy for IBS and provides guidance for intervention delivery.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):