Systematic review, meta-analysis with subgroup analysis of hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome, effect of intervention characteristics

Hypnotherapy has been shown to be effective at relieving global gastrointestinal symptoms (GGS) in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This study examines the impact of hypnotherapy delivery and participant characteristics on IBS outcomes. systematic review searched CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Conference Citation Index, Embase, PubMed, PsycARTICLES, PsychINFO, Science index-expanded, Social Index. Titles abstracts, then full-text articles were screened against inclusion criteria: trials with a concurrent comparator adults diagnosed using Manning or ROME criteria, which provided symptom data. Included studies extracted assessed for bias Collaboration 2011 guidance. Random-effects meta-analysis was conducted sub-group analysis assess Twelve included, 7 meta-analyses. reduced risk GGS, but this not statistically significant, (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.24, [-0.06, 0.54], I2 66 %). Higher frequency sessions (?1/week) GGS (SMD 0.45 [0.23,0.67] 0 %), as did higher volumes intervention (?8 ?6 h contact) 0.51 [0.27,0.76] %) group interventions [0.03, 0.88] 62 Only volume produced significant effect between subgroups. suggests that high is more beneficial than low should adopted GDH. Both are reducing IBS. However, sample size small needed confirm this.