World J Gastroenterol. Nov 7, 2008; 14(41): 6276-6284 Published online Nov 7, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.6276
Hypnosis and upper digestive function and disease
Giuseppe Chiarioni, Olafur S Palsson, William E Whitehead
Giuseppe Chiarioni, Division of Gastrointestinal Rehabilitation of the University of Verona, Valeggio sul Mincio Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera and University of Verona, Valeggio sul Mincio, Italy
Olafur S Palsson, William E Whitehead, UNC Center for Functional Gastrointestinal and Motility Disorders, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
Author contributions: Chiarioni G, Palsson OS, and Whitehead WE contributed equally to the conceiving of the designing and the drafting of the review.
Supported by In part by Grant R24 DK067674
Correspondence to: Dr. Giuseppe Chiarioni, Divisione di Riabilitazione Gastroenterologica dell’Università di Verona, Azienda Ospedaliera di Verona, Ospedale di Valeggio sul Mincio, 37067 Valeggio sul Mincio (VR), Italy. chiarioni@tin.it
Telephone: +39-4-56338548 Fax: +39-4-57950188
Received: August 1, 2008 Revised: September 18, 2008 Accepted: September 25, 2008 Published online: November 7, 2008
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.
