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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial investigates whether electronically delivered hypnotherapy can relieve symptoms of abdominal bloating. The study targets individuals who experience bloating as a major issue, often associated with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome or functional constipation. Ideal participants frequently experience bloating, have access to digital content on a smartphone, and understand English. As an unphased trial, this study provides an opportunity to explore innovative treatment options for bloating.

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 prior data suggests that hypnotherapy is safe for treating abdominal bloating?

Research has shown that hypnotherapy can safely and effectively address issues like abdominal bloating. Studies have found it significantly reduces symptoms such as abdominal pain and bloating. For instance, one study reported that 67% of patients experienced a 30% or more reduction in abdominal pain. Another review found that hypnotherapy improved symptoms, at least in the short term.

While these studies mainly focus on conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), they offer insight into how hypnotherapy might help with bloating. No major reports of serious side effects have emerged from these studies, suggesting it is generally well-tolerated. Thus, hypnotherapy could be a gentle option for those seeking relief from bloating symptoms. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike standard treatments for abdominal bloating, which often involve dietary changes, medications, or probiotics, hypnotherapy is unique because it uses guided relaxation and focused attention to address symptoms. Researchers are excited about this treatment because it offers a non-invasive and drug-free alternative that can be delivered electronically, making it accessible to a wider audience. This approach may help patients who prefer a holistic method or those who have not found relief with traditional treatments.

What evidence suggests that hypnotherapy might be an effective treatment for abdominal bloating?

Research shows that hypnotherapy can help with abdominal bloating. Previous studies have found that hypnotherapy reduces bloating symptoms, especially for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In one study, 76% of participants noticed a significant improvement in their symptoms, meeting the FDA's standards. Another study found that 64% of patients experienced a significant decrease in stomach pain. These findings suggest that hypnotherapy, which participants in this trial will receive, could be a promising way to manage bloating symptoms. ^{2 3 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Xiao Jing (Iris) Wang, MD

Principal Investigator

Mayo Clinic

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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 for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12020682/

Digital Therapeutic Combining Hypnosis and Diaphragmatic ... Abdominal bloating is a difficult symptom to treat. Hypnotherapy and diaphragmatic intervention have separately shown benefit on bloating in prior work but ...

2. jnmjournal.org jnmjournal.org/journal/view.html?doi=10.5056/jnm.20.2.152

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis This meta-analysis revealed that hypnotherapy significantly improved abdominal pain, at least at short-term follow-up. Hypnotherapy also provided benefit for ...

3. journals.lww.com journals.lww.com/ajg/fulltext/2013/10001/hypnotherapy_as_an_effective_treatment_modality.342.aspx

Hypnotherapy as an Effective Treatment Modality for... Hypnotherapy appears to have significant efficacy in the treatment of both pain predominant and bloating predominant IBS. ... S515 App-Delivered Gut-Directed ...

4. nm.org nm.org/-/media/Northwestern/Resources/care-areas/digestive-health/northwestern-medicine-ibs-hypnosis-audit-article.pdf?la=en

Hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome: an audit of one ... The Federal Drug Administration's recommended outcome of a. 30% or more reduction in abdominal pain was also recorded. Results. Overall, 76% met the primary ...

5. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nmo.14533

Smartphone app‐delivered gut‐directed hypnotherapy ... 64% of patients who completed the GDH and provided outcome data responded (defined as >30% reduction in abdominal pain). Abdominal pain ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6850508/

Gut‐focused hypnotherapy for Functional Gastrointestinal ... The earliest randomized study of hypnotherapy for IBS demonstrated significant improvement in abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, and bowel function ...

7. commons.lib.jmu.edu commons.lib.jmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1080&context=pacapstones202029

The effect of gut-directed hypnotherapy on alleviating ... These symptoms included abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, nausea, and stool consistency. Individual differences of 20 mm (about 0.79 inches) ...