I Believe...So Hypnotherapy

Research

Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy: Research & References

1. Foundational Research on the Manchester Protocol

  • Whorwell PJ, Prior A, Faragher EB. Controlled trial of hypnotherapy in the treatment of severe refractory irritable bowel syndrome. The Lancet. 1984;2(8414):12321234.
  • Gonsalkorale WM, Miller V, Afzal A, Whorwell PJ. Long-term benefits of hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome. Gut. 2003;52(11):16231629.
  • Gonsalkorale WM, Houghton LA, Whorwell PJ. Hypnotherapy in irritable bowel syndrome: a large-scale audit of a clinical service with examination of factors influencing responsiveness. The American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2002;97(4):954961.
  • Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Should It Be the Treatment of Choice? (2026) Authors: Dipesh H. Vasant, Jane Boissière, Peter J. Whorwell Published by: International Society for Hypnosis

2. Effectiveness & Long-Term Outcomes

  • Miller V, Carruthers HR, Morris J, Hasan SS, Archbold S, Whorwell PJ. Hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome: an audit of one thousand adult patients. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 2015;41(9):844855.
  • Lindfors P, Unge P, Arvidsson P, et al. Effects of gut-directed hypnotherapy on IBS in different clinical settingsresults from two randomized, controlled trials. The American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2012;107(2):276285.

3. Comparison With the Low FODMAP Diet

  • Peters SL, Yao CK, Philpott H, Yelland GW, Muir JG, Gibson PR. Randomised clinical trial: the efficacy of gut-directed hypnotherapy is comparable to the low FODMAP diet for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 2016;44(5):447459.

4. Session Frequency & Treatment Duration

  • Flik CE, Laan W, Zuithoff NPA, et al. Efficacy of individual and group hypnotherapy in irritable bowel syndrome (IMAGINE study): a randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 2019;4(1):2031.

(Supports the finding that fewer sessions can still be effective.)

5. NICE Guidance

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Irritable bowel syndrome in adults: diagnosis and management (CG61). Updated 2017.

(Recommends gut-directed hypnotherapy for IBS when symptoms persist despite standard care.)