June 14, 2007 – Psychotherapy and hypnotherapy, in particular, may be as effective as the drugs usually prescribed to treat people with irritable bowel syndrome.
Two British researchers came to this conclusion, after having explored all the scientific publications relating to the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.1. The cognitive-behavioral approach has been shown to be as effective, and even more durable in some cases, than medication in relieving symptoms and preventing relapses.2.
Hypnotherapy would also give good results, they found. Relaxation techniques and guided visualization (12 weekly sessions of 45 to 60 minutes each) have helped patients suffering from this condition3.4.
According to the researchers, this syndrome should be treated both psychologically and physiologically since it is a disorder between the interactions of the brain and the digestive system.
They point out that the drugs generally prescribed to relieve the symptoms (laxatives, fibers, emollients, antidiarrheals, antispasmodics, etc.) of irritable bowel syndrome have only mixed effectiveness and can cause unwanted effects.
Pierre Lefrançois – PasseportSanté.net
According to BBC News
1. Hayee B, Forgacs I. Psychological approach to managing irritable bowel syndrome. BMJ. 2007 May 26; 334 (7603): 1105-9. [pas de résumé dans Medline].
2. Hollon SD, DeRubeis RJ, et al. Prevention of relapse following cognitive therapy vs medications in moderate to severe depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2005 Apr; 62 (4): 417-22.
3. Wilson S, Maddison T et al. Systematic review: the effectiveness of hypnotherapy in the management of irritable bowel syndrome. Pharmacol Ther Food. 2006 Sep 1; 24 (5): 769-80.
4. Whorwell PJ. Effective management of irritable bowel syndrome – the Manchester Model. Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2006 Jan; 54 (1): 21-6.
