Efficacy of Hypnotherapy in Conjunction with Pharmacotherapy and Pharmacotherapy Alone on the Quality of Life in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Abstract

Background

This study assessed the effects of hypnotherapy in conjunction with pharmacotherapy versus pharmacotherapy on the quality of life in patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Materials and Methods

This clinical trial used the convenience sampling method to enroll 34 IBS patients. Patients were selected according to Rome III criteria and divided into two groups: i) hypnotherapy plusstandard medical treatmentand ii) standard medical treatment. The QOL-IBS scale assessed patient quality of life at baseline, post-treatment and at the six month follow-up. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).

Results

There were significant differences observed between both groups at the post-treatment and follow-up stages in terms of quality of life (p‹0.05).

Conclusion

Standard medical treatment in addition to hypnotherapy can be used to improve quality of life in IBS patients.