Hypnosis and upper digestive function and disease.

Abstract

Hypnosis is a therapeutic technique that primarily involves attentive receptive concentration. Even though a small number of health professionals are trained in hypnosis and lingering myths and misconceptions associated with this method have hampered its widespread use to treat medical conditions, hypnotherapy has gained relevance as an effective treatment for irritable bowel syndrome not responsive to standard care. More recently, a few studies have addressed the potential influence of hypnosis on upper digestive function and disease. This paper reviews the efficacy of hypnosis in the modulation of upper digestive motor and secretory function. The present evidence of the effectiveness of hypnotherapy as a treatment for functional and organic diseases of the upper bowel is also summarized, coupled with a discussion of potential mechanisms of its therapeutic action.

• Authors: Giuseppe Chiarioni, Olafur S Palsson, William E Whitehead
• Journal: World journal of gastroenterology (World J Gastroenterol) Vol. 14 Issue 41 Pg. 6276-84 (Nov 07 2008) ISSN: 1007-9327 [Print] United States
• PMID: 19009639 (Publication Type: Editorial, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Review)

Topics

• Evidence-Based Medicine
• Gastrointestinal Diseases (physiopathology, psychology, therapy)
• Humans
• Hypnosis
• Treatment Outcome
• Upper Gastrointestinal Tract (physiopathology)