Sufferers of IBS should find this scientific research in 2016 useful and encouraging reading.   Summary is below – to access the 17 page article click here https://www.aerzteblatt.de/pdf.asp?id=177667

SUMMARY

Background: The efficacy and safety of hypnotic techniques in somatic medicine, known as medical hypnosis, have not been supported to date by adequate scientific evidence.

Methods: We systematically reviewed meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of medical hypnosis. Relevant publications (January 2005 to June 2015) were sought in the Cochrane databases CDSR and DARE, and in PubMed. Meta-analyses involving at least 400 patients were included in the present analysis. Their methodological quality was assessed with AMSTAR (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews). An additional search was carried out in the CENTRAL and PubMed databases for RCTs of waking suggestion (therapeutic suggestion without formal trance induction) in somatic medicine.

Results: Out of the 391 publications retrieved, five were reports of meta- analyses that met our inclusion criteria. One of these meta-analyses was of high methodological quality; three were of moderate quality, and one was of poor quality. Hypnosis was superior to controls with respect to the reduction of pain and emotional stress during medical interventions (34 RCTs, 2597 patients) as well as the reduction of irritable bowel symptoms (8 RCTs, 464 patients). Two meta-analyses revealed no differences between hypnosis and control treatment with respect to the side effects and safety of treatment. The effect size of hypnosis on emotional stress during medical interventions was low in one meta-analysis, moderate in one, and high in one. The effect size on pain during medical interventions was low. Five RCTs indicated that waking suggestion is effective in medical procedures.

Conclusion: Medical hypnosis is a safe and effective complementary technique for use in medical procedures and in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Waking suggestions can be a component of effective doctor–patient communication in routine clinical situations.

►Cite this as: Häuser W, Hagl M, Schmierer A, Hansen E: The efficacy, safety and applications of medical hypnosis—a systematic review of meta-analyse

Not that I am a fan of Grime music but this is an interesting article in the Guardian about Stormzy, someone well known to many young people today, who has spoken out about his depression.

Stormzy joins a list of popular figures such as Stephen Fry and Ruby Wax who have spoken about their experience of depression and are helping to normalize what many people are suffering in silence.  Well worth a read or perhaps show this to someone who may be struggling.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/mar/03/stormzy-depression-grime-mental-illness-black-men