Positive Health Online
Your Country
![[Image: http://www.balens.co.uk]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/2148.50367fa908013fae0a7f1a171543ef92.jpg "http://www.balens.co.uk")
![[Image: http://www.abundanceandhealth.co.uk]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/2836.df7d2315253110ff5b3a566f94871f99.jpg "http://www.abundanceandhealth.co.uk")
![[Image: https://www.water-for-health.co.uk/]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/4046.12831f50177f8848ee87b8e94411d6b3.jpg "https://www.water-for-health.co.uk/")
![[Image: http://www.drsgoodman.com/books-goodman/52-nutrition-and-cancer]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/1859.1296090fd8385e7ceff51c8011559097.jpg "http://www.drsgoodman.com/books-goodman/52-nutrition-and-cancer")
Research: CALVERT and colleagues, D
Listed in Issue 87
Abstract
CALVERT and colleagues, Department of Medicine, Wythenshawe Hospital, Southmoor Road, Manchester, U.K., show long-term improvement of functional dyspepsia using hypnotherapy.
Background
Hypnotherapy has been shown to be effective in IBS. This study aimed to assess the usefulness of hypnotherapy in functional dyspepsia.
Methodology
In this randomized controlled trial, 126 patients with functional dyspepsia were randomized to hypnotherapy, supportive therapy plus placebo medication, or medication for 16 weeks. Percentage change in symptoms from baseline was measured immediately post treatment and 56 weeks post treatment. Quality of life was measured as a secondary outcome.
Results
26 hypnotherapy patients, 24 supportive therapy patients, and 29 medical treatment patients completed all phases of the trial. Short-term symptom scores improved more in the hypnotherapy group (59%) than in the supportive therapy group (41%; p = 0.01) or the medical treatment group (33%; p = 0.057). Hypnotherapy also led to improvements in the quality of life compared to supportive therapy or medication (42% as compared to 10% and 11%; p = 0.01). After one year, hypnotherapy had significantly improved symptoms compared with supportive therapy and medication (73% compared with 34% and 43%; p = 0.02). Quality of life improved significantly more with hypnotherapy than with medical treatment (44% and 20%; p = 0.001). A total of 82% of patients in the supportive therapy group and 90% of patients in the medication group started on antidepressant medication during the follow-up period, whereas none of the hypnotherapy patients did. Patients in the hypnotherapy group visited their GP or gastroenterologist less in the follow-up period than patients in either of the other groups (median, 1 visit compared to 4).
Conclusion
Hypnotherapy is highly effective in the long-term management of functional dyspepsia. Moreover, as the reduction in medication consumption and medical consultations show, it is also cost-effective.
References
Calvert EL, Houghton LA, Cooper P, Morris J, Whorwell PJ. Long-term improvement in functional dyspepsia using hypnotherapy. Gastroenterology 123 (6): 1778-1785, Dec 2002
