SAN DIEGO, May 22 (Reuters Health) -

Hypnotherapy Helps Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms 

Hypnotherapy improves irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms, according to a report presented here at the Digestive Disease Week meetings. 

IBS is an inflammatory digestive disorder. Its symptoms include abdominal pain, alternating constipation and diarrhea, bloating and depression. The disease, which appears to be aggravated by stress, affects mostly women, with the onset usually occurring between ages 20 to 30. 

Dr. Olafur S. Palsson and colleagues at the Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia provided 24 IBS patients, 15 women and 9 men, with seven sessions of hypnosis treatment. In addition, the patients used hypnosis audiotapes at home. 

At the end of the 14-week study period, 21 of the 24 patients "rated themselves improved in all central IBS symptoms after treatment," the researchers report. Significant improvement was found in abdominal pain, bloating, stool consistency and bowel movement frequency. 

Palsson's group also measured the autonomic nervous system, which regulates the digestive system and other involuntary body activities. After the course of hypnotherapy, the autonomic nervous system was less easily stimulated. The researchers propose that this calming effect "may plausibly contribute to the symptom improvement."