Improvement in IBS symptoms with hypnotherapy is associated with cognitive change

Background/Aim: Impaired quality of life (QOL) and psychological distress are common in IBS, and are reflected in patients' automatic thoughts (cognitions). However, change in cognitions with symptomatic improvement has yet to be demonstrated. Because hypnotherapy (HT) is effective in improving symptoms and QOL I, this study aimed to establish whether this improvement is associated with cognitive change, using a 31-item Cognitive Scale (CS) developed for use in this patient population". Method: 38 patients (21-59 yrs, 7 male) completed the CS (7-point Likert-type), an IBS questionnaire (visual analogue scale) assessing IBS and extracolonic symptoms, QOL, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, before and after 3 months' HT (12 sessions). Results: HT improved IBS symptoms [prev post-HT scores, median(IQR): overall IBS score (based on pain, bloating, bowel habit dissatisfaction and interference with life): 343(305,394) v 183(128,237) pAlosetron does not produce sign. improvement in anxiety or depression based on the psychometric instruments used in this study. Improvement in anxiety or depression may not be responsible for the therapeutic benefit of alosetron.