Gut-Brain Insights Presented by GI Psychology
Dr. Ellen Joseph shares the scientifically proven research for how GI-CBT and gut-directed clinical hypnosis can significantly reduce IBS symptoms—and why combining them may lead to even better outcomes.
Hi, I’m Dr. Ellen Joseph, a clinical psychologist with GI Psychology. In this video, we will discuss evidence supporting the use of two psychological treatments for DGBIs: cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, and clinical hypnosis. Did you know that CBT and clinical hypnosis have been studied for the treatment of GI conditions for decades? A study published by Lackner and colleagues in 2008 demonstrated that 61 to 72% of individuals with IBS reported adequate relief from pain and bowel symptoms after four to 10 weeks of CBT.
Another study, published by Miller and colleagues in 2015, demonstrated that 76% of patients treated with hypnosis demonstrate a reduction in physical symptoms and improvements in quality of life. These are just two of many different examples from a much larger body of research that shows just how effective these treatments are. Additionally, the combination of these two treatments is powerful, with a study published in 2020 demonstrating the addition of hypnosis to CBT can further enhance treatment outcomes. In the next two videos, we’ll take a deeper look at clinical hypnosis and CBT.
Read the studies mentioned in this video:
- Lackner JM, Jaccard J, Krasner SS, Katz LA, Gudleski GD, Holroyd K. Self-administered cognitive behavioral therapy for moderate to severe irritable bowel syndrome: clinical efficacy, tolerability, feasibility. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2008.
- Miller V, Carruthers HR, Morris J, Hasan SS, Archbold S, Whorwell PJ. Hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome: an audit of one thousand adult patients. 2015.
- Lindfors, et al., 2012: Effects of Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy on IBS in Different Clinical Settings — Results From Two Randomized, Controlled Trials.
- Peters, et al., 2021: Randomised clinical trial: the efficacy of gut-directed hypnotherapy is similar to that of the low FODMAP diet for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.
- Riehl, et al., 2015: The Feasibility and Acceptability of Esophageal-Directed Hypnotherapy for Functional Heartburn. Gastroenterology.
- Palsson, 2006: Standardized hypnosis treatment for irritable bowel syndrome: the North Carolina protocol.
- Palsson, et al., 2006: Hypnosis treatment of severe irritable bowel syndrome: Investigation of mechanism and effects on symptoms.
- Ramondo, N., Gignac, G. E., Pestell, C. F., & Byrne, S. M. (2021). Clinical Hypnosis as an Adjunct to Cognitive Behavior Therapy: An Updated Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 69(2), 169–202.