Post pandemic most people have found that online therapy of all sorts is entirely acceptable1, and the evidence appears to back this up. The evidence is massing for the effectiveness of hypnotherapy for IBS online.2,3
Hypnotherapy for IBS
Hypnotherapy has consistently demonstrated substantial benefits for people living with IBS for over decades. A particular set of techniques has developed which are collectively known as Gut-directed hypnotherapy (GDH). These techniques include:
- Direct suggestion for gut health, calm and strength.
- Imagery and sensory suggestions to encourage gut calm and regularity.
- Recorded suggestions for daily home practice.
Usually, a hypnotherapy for IBS intervention will be;
- 6-12 sessions.
- 30-60 mins long.
- Weekly or fortnightly.
This has been sufficiently reliable that it has been include in UK medical guidelines.
Further, hypnotherapy for IBS has been delivered:
- Individually and to groups – Unexpectedly, the evidence shows that group hypnotherapy for IBS is more effective than individual therapy. Theories to explain this include such things as; group bonding, mutual support and even informal exchange of information.
- In-person and online – Both of these methods worked, and no clinically significant difference was found between them.
Group Online hypnotherapy for IBS
Now a new study has added to the body of knowledge about hypnotherapy for IBS.
A team led by Jenny Lovdahl1 of the University of Gothenburg, a prolific researcher into hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome and advocate for nurse led GDH, has carried out a small-scale research study comparing an online group to a previously treated in-person group hypnotherapy intervention group.
Key study features
- 51 participants, 42 of whom were female.
- All subtypes of IBS were present (Diarrhea predominant 48%, constipation predominant 27%, mixed presentation 25%)
- All subjects met Rome IV criteria for IBS – over half were classified as severe cases by the IBS-SSS questionnaire.
- All subjects were Refractory to previous treatments.
Over the course of treatment, the median symptom severity for the patients moved from severe to moderate, as measured by the IBS-Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS).
Limitations of the study
Like any research study we have are wise to be aware of the limitations of the study, primarily these are;
- The small size of the cohort – This is a pilot study only, and they are quite clear on that point. Pilot studies are often used as a practice run for a larger study, they help identify the problems which have yet to be foreseen which can then be addressed.
- Imperfect comparator group – By using the data from an earlier group as the comparator the study slightly undermines the value of its findings. This is because they are out of synch timewise, which may mean nothing to the outcomes, but seasonal variation in such things as diet, sunlight and allergens may impact outcomes. Equally, there are innumerable other factors which could make a difference that may change from time to time. An example of this may be what is being promoted on the internet for IBS at the time.
None of these limitations mean that the study’s findings aren’t valid, just that more work is required before the findings can be generalised. However, this study represents the best evidence to date, and the best evidence to date says that group online hypnotherapy for IBS works.
References
1.Hasan SS, Vasant D. The emerging new reality of hypnosis teletherapy: a major new mode of delivery of hypnotherapy and clinical hypnosis training. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis. 2023 Apr 3;71(2):153-64.
2.Collinson J, Foy T, Kant P. P102 Effectiveness of online gut directed hypnotherapy for IBS. Gut. 2025 Jun 1;74(Suppl 1):A148-.
3.Lövdahl J, Törnblom H, Ringström G, Palsson OS, Simrén M. Online Group Hypnotherapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome—a Pilot Study. Neurogastroenterology & Motility. 2026 May;38(5):e70328.