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Effectiveness of hypnotherapy for paediatric abdominal pain in primary care: a randomised controlled trial
Ilse N Ganzevoort1, Marjolein Berger1, Michiel de Boer1
1Department of General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
Insights
Home-based guided hypnotherapy for children with functional abdominal pain (FAP) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) showed earlier pain relief but no significant difference at 12 months. This intervention may improve symptom management in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Child Psychology
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Background:
- Functional abdominal pain (FAP) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) significantly impact children's well-being, leading to anxiety, depression, school absenteeism, and reduced quality of life.
- Hypnotherapy is an established treatment option often utilized in secondary care settings for these conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of home-based guided hypnotherapy for children diagnosed with FAP or IBS within a primary care setting.
- To assess the impact of this intervention on symptom relief and overall quality of life in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- A pragmatic randomized controlled trial was conducted in Dutch primary care over a 12-month follow-up period.
- Participants aged 7-17 years with FAP or IBS received either home-based guided hypnotherapy via a website for 3 months alongside usual care, or usual care alone.
- The primary outcome measure was adequate relief of abdominal pain and/or discomfort at 12 months, with secondary outcomes including pain severity, intensity, frequency, and sleep onset.
Main Results:
- While no significant difference in adequate pain relief was observed at 12 months (79.5% vs. 74.3%), the hypnotherapy group reported significantly greater adequate relief at 3 months (aOR 2.74) and 6 months (aOR 4.26).
- The intervention group experienced notable reductions in abdominal pain severity, intensity, frequency, and perceived threat.
- Children receiving hypnotherapy also demonstrated a higher proportion of fast sleep onset compared to the control group.
Conclusions:
- Home-based guided hypnotherapy, when added to usual care, can lead to earlier symptom relief for children with FAP or IBS.
- Although overall 12-month relief rates were similar, the intervention shows promise in accelerating pain reduction and improving sleep quality in pediatric patients.
- This study supports the integration of accessible hypnotherapy as an adjunct treatment for functional abdominal pain and IBS in children.
Background:
Functional abdominal pain (FAP) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are associated with anxiety, depression, school absenteeism, and reduced quality of life in children. In secondary care, hypnotherapy is often available.
Aim:
To determine the effectiveness of home-based guided hypnotherapy for children with FAP or IBS in primary care.
Design And Setting:
This was a pragmatic randomised controlled trial in Dutch primary care with a follow-up of 12 months.
Method:
Children aged 7-17 years with FAP or IBS diagnosed by a GP were included. The intervention group received home-based guided hypnotherapy via a website for 3 months in addition to care as usual. The control group received care as usual only. The primary outcome was adequate relief of abdominal pain and/or discomfort at 12 months. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 90% confidence intervals (90% CIs) are reported.
Results:
In total, 152 children were included. No significant differences were observed in adequate relief at 12 months, 79.5% in the intervention group (58/73 children) versus 74.3% in the control group (52/70 children); aOR 1.47 (90% CI = 0.74 to 2.93), but more children in the intervention group had adequate relief compared with the control group at 3 months (aOR 2.74, 90% CI = 1.22 to 6.13) and 6 months (aOR 4.26, 90% CI = 1.81 to 10.04). The intervention group also showed reductions in abdominal pain severity, intensity, frequency, and threat, and higher proportions of fast sleep onset.
Conclusion:
Although adequate relief after 12 months is high in both groups, adding hypnotherapy to care as usual may help achieve earlier relief and reduce pain.
