A Review of Hypnotherapy for Overactive Bladder

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Psychosomatic Medicine
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Background:

• Overactive bladder (OAB) is a condition characterized by urinary urgency, often with frequency and nocturia.
• Current OAB treatments may have limitations or side effects, prompting interest in adjunctive therapies.
• Psychological interventions are increasingly explored for managing chronic conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the existing literature on the effectiveness of hypnotherapy for overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms.
• To evaluate the reported outcomes of hypnotherapy in patients with OAB.
• To assess the potential role of hypnotherapy as an adjunctive treatment for OAB.

Main Methods:

• A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted to identify studies on hypnotherapy for OAB.
• Included studies encompassed case reports, observational studies, and randomized controlled trials.
• Analysis focused on reported outcomes, including subjective symptom relief and psychological factors.

Main Results:

• Ten studies investigating hypnotherapy for OAB were identified.
• Hypnotherapeutic regimens were individualized for each patient.
• All studies indicated subjective benefits, such as improved symptom perception and increased self-efficacy.
• Reported benefits include enhanced relaxation, reduced anxiety, and better coping abilities.

Conclusions:

• Hypnotherapy shows promise as a psychological adjunctive treatment for overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms.
• Subjective improvements in patient-reported outcomes and self-efficacy are notable.
• While objective evidence is currently limited, the growing acceptance of hypnotherapy supports its utility in OAB management.