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

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 IIIV 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 0.020.49], I2=53%, p=0.03), with positive effects persisting up to one year (SMD=0.34 [95% CI 0.070.60], 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 0.010.70], p=0.05) and higher amount of hypnotherapy sessions during treatment (SMD=0.35 [95% CI 0.140.57], 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.