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Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy for IBS
Increasing Acceptance and Accessibility of GDH
Today, GDH is recognized internationally as an effective treatment for IBS. Innovations in technology have made this therapy more accessible than ever before. Individualized courses, group therapy sessions, and smartphone apps have made GDH available to a broader audience.
Digital GDH therapies, such as those offered through apps like Nerva by Mindset Health or Regulora, provide significant advantages in terms of accessibility and convenience. These therapies can reach a broader audience at a lower cost and provide standardized treatment protocols. Therapist-delivered GDH offers personalized care, allowing adjustments based on individual patient responses and fostering deeper therapeutic relationships. Each approach has unique advantages, and integrating both methods can enhance patient outcomes.
The Future of GDH and IBS Management
The future of GDH looks promising, with ongoing research and increasing acceptance within the medical community. Psychological therapies, including GDH, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), and other brain-gut behaviour therapies, are essential components of a comprehensive IBS management plan.(3) Integrating these therapies with dietary changes provides a holistic approach to managing IBS and improving patients’ quality of life.
Conclusion
Gut-directed hypnotherapy (GDH) represents a valuable therapeutic approach for managing IBS, especially for those who do not respond well to dietary changes alone. Recognition by gastroenterology experts like the ROME Foundation and the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology offers hope and relief to many IBS sufferers. By addressing IBS’s physical and psychological aspects, GDH provides a therapy that can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals living with this challenging condition.
SOSCuisine offers specific Low FODMAP meal plans and recipes specifically designed for IBS sufferers. These meal plans are customizable according to allergies, intolerances, and individual preferences. This is a simple and effective way to gradually adopt a varied and balanced diet with little or no processed foods. Should you need more support, we do offer consultations with registered dietitians.
*FODMAPs are fermentable carbohydrates that are partly responsible for causing symptoms in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). For more info, read this article.
References
Whorwell PJ, Prior A, Faragher EB. Controlled trial of hypnotherapy in the treatment of severe refractory irritable bowel syndrome. Lancet. 1984 Dec 1;2(8414):1232-4.
Peters SL, Yao CK, Philpott H, Yelland GW, Muir JG, Gibson PR. Randomized clinical trial: the efficacy of gut-directed hypnotherapy is similar to that of the low FODMAP diet for treating irritable bowel syndrome. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2016 Sep;44(5):447-59.
Berry SK, Berry R, Recker D, Botbyl J, Pun L, Chey WD. A Randomized Parallel-group Study of Digital Gut-directed Hypnotherapy vs Muscle Relaxation for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2023 Nov;21(12):3152-3159.e2.
Peters SL, Gibson PR, Halmos EP. Smartphone app-delivered gut-directed hypnotherapy improves symptoms of self-reported irritable bowel syndrome: A retrospective evaluation. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2023 Apr;35(4):e14533.
Keefer L, Ballou SK, Drossman DA, Ringstrom G, Elsenbruch S, Ljótsson B. A Rome Working Team Report on Brain-Gut Behavior Therapies for Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction. Gastroenterology. 2022 Jan;162(1):300-315.
Moayyedi P, Andrews CN, MacQueen G, Korownyk C, Marsiglio M, Graff L, Kvern B, Lazarescu A, Liu L, Paterson WG, Sidani S, Vanner S. Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). J Can Assoc Gastroenterol. 2019 Apr;2(1):6-29.
Author
Keren holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition from McGill University in Montreal, as well as a Masters Degree in Health Administration from the University of Ottawa. She is a Registered Dietitian in Ontario, Canada and a member of the College of Dietitians of Ontario. She holds the Monash University’s certification for the FODMAP diet and IBS, and has considerable clinical experience in that area. With over 20 years of experience, Keren believes that with the right tools and resources, healthy eating can be easy and free of angst.
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