Hypnotherapy for Abdominal Bloating

Overseen By Deborah Eckert, RN

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Mayo Clinic

Disqualifiers: SIBO, Gastroparesis, Schizophrenia, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 12 weeks

25 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this research is to evaluate if hypnotherapy delivered electronically will help with bloating symptoms.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment hypnotherapy for abdominal bloating?

Some research suggests that hypnotherapy, a non-drug treatment, may help manage abdominal bloating by addressing psychological factors and improving symptoms in functional gastrointestinal disorders. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is hypnotherapy generally safe for humans?

There is limited information on the safety of hypnotherapy, as studies often lack detailed monitoring of adverse events (unwanted side effects). However, no significant safety concerns have been widely reported in the available research. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

How does hypnotherapy differ from other treatments for abdominal bloating?

Hypnotherapy is a unique mind-body treatment that focuses on using hypnosis to help patients manage symptoms by improving their mental and emotional response to abdominal bloating. Unlike traditional treatments that may involve medications or dietary changes, hypnotherapy aims to address the psychological aspects of the condition, potentially offering relief through improved coping mechanisms and reduced visceral sensitivity. ^{1 11 12 13 14}

Research Team

Xiao Jing (Iris) Wang, MD

Principal Investigator

Mayo Clinic

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for English-speaking individuals who experience significant abdominal bloating and meet the Rome IV criteria. They must have access to a smartphone for digital content delivery throughout the study. People with substance abuse issues, certain cognitive impairments, severe psychiatric conditions, or specific gastrointestinal diagnoses are not eligible.

Inclusion Criteria

I have a gut condition like IBS with bloating as my main symptom.

Patients will be proficient in English language for comprehension of content

Patients will have reliable access to digital delivery systems for content and questionnaire access via smartphone over the course of the study and follow up period

Exclusion Criteria

You have severe mental health conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or untreated major depression with thoughts of self-harm.

Patients who are unlikely to comply or unlikely to benefit from psychotherapy-based interventions may be excluded at the direction of medical screening provider or principal investigator.

You have a history of brain injury or conditions that affect your memory and thinking abilities, like dementia.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive seven pre-recorded hypnotherapy sessions delivered digitally over twelve weeks

12 weeks

Sessions delivered electronically

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

12 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Hypnotherapy

Trial Overview The trial is testing whether hypnotherapy provided through electronic means can alleviate symptoms of abdominal bloating. Participants will receive this novel treatment digitally and report their symptoms over time.

Participant Groups

Group I: Hypnotherapy for bloating symptoms Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Subjects experiencing bloating symptoms will receive hypnotherapy delivered electronically

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Mayo Clinic

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,427

Recruited

3,221,000+

Findings from Research

Controlled studies indicate that hypnotherapy is effective in treating conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and peptic ulceration, suggesting it can be a valuable therapeutic option in gastroenterology.

There is emerging evidence that hypnotherapy may also impact certain physiological functions, warranting further research to clarify its role and mechanisms in treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of hypnotherapy in gastrointestinal disease. Whorwell, PJ.[2007]

A survey of hypnosis clinicians revealed discrepancies between research evidence and actual clinical practice, particularly regarding the effectiveness of hypnosis for various conditions and the occurrence of adverse events during treatment.

The study suggests improvements in hypnosis training, including better monitoring of adverse events, enhanced methods for addressing trauma-related symptoms, and support for clinician competency development.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhancing Connections between Clinicians and Research in Hypnosis Practice: Strategies for Practice and Training. McKernan, LC., Walsh, EG.[2023]

Gut-directed hypnotherapy has been shown to significantly reduce gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with response rates ranging from 24% to 73% and long-term efficacy maintained in several studies.

The technique may also help maintain clinical remission in patients with ulcerative colitis, but more research is needed to determine its role as a primary or adjunctive therapy and to address gaps in understanding its application.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Review article: gut-directed hypnotherapy in the management of irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. Peters, SL., Muir, JG., Gibson, PR.[2022]

Hypnotherapy has shown promise in improving symptoms and coping mechanisms for patients with gastrointestinal disorders, particularly in cases of severe irritable bowel syndrome and relapsing duodenal ulcers.

Recent controlled trials support the efficacy of hypnotherapy in these conditions, indicating that it can be a beneficial treatment option for patients who do not respond to conventional therapies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of hypnotherapy in gastrointestinal disorders. Francis, CY., Houghton, LA.[2019]

References

1. France pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Abdominal bloating: an up-to-date]. [2010]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Influence of body posture on intestinal transit of gas. [2022]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Management of bloating. [2022]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Towards a better understanding of abdominal bloating and distension in functional gastrointestinal disorders. [2006]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Bloating is associated with worse quality of life, treatment satisfaction, and treatment responsiveness among patients with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome and functional constipation. [2017]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of hypnotherapy in gastrointestinal disease. [2007]

7. Scotland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hypnotherapy for insomnia: A randomized controlled trial comparing generic and disease-specific suggestions. [2019]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hypnotherapy for Procedural Pain and Distress in Children: A Scoping Review Protocol. [2022]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hypnosis home treatment for irritable bowel syndrome: a pilot study. [2006]

10. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhancing Connections between Clinicians and Research in Hypnosis Practice: Strategies for Practice and Training. [2023]

11. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Review article: gut-directed hypnotherapy in the management of irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. [2022]

12. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of hypnotherapy in gastrointestinal disorders. [2019]

13. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects on gastrointestinal transit and antroduodenojejunal manometry after gut-directed hypnotherapy in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). [2012]

14. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A whole new world of healing: exploring medical hypnotherapy for pediatric patients : A review. [2023]