Development of an Integrated Hypnotherapy Program and Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Online Integrated Hypnotherapy and Self-Hypnosis Software on Somatic Symptoms, Quality of Life, Self-Esteem, and Self-Focused Attention in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of online integrated hypnotherapy and software-based self-hypnosis on somatic symptoms, quality of life, self-esteem, and self-focused attention in patients with irritablebowel syndrome.This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest design with a six-month follow-up on 42 patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome based on Rome IV criteria. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups: online hypnotherapy, software-based self-hypnosis, and control. The intervention groups received 12 treatment sessions, while the control group received standard medical care. Data were collected using validated questionnaires assessing symptom severity, quality of life, self-esteem, and self-focused attention, and analyzed using mixed-design ANOVA .Results indicated a significant main effect of time on somatic symptoms, quality of life, and self-esteem (P<0.001), with significant time × group interactions across mostvariables. Both intervention groups showed significant improvements compared to the control group in symptom reduction and quality of life enhancement (P<0.01), with no significa nt difference between the two treatments. The main effect of time on self-esteem was significant, whereas the group effect was not. For self-focused attention, the interaction effect was significant, but the main effect of time was not.Both online hypnotherapy and self-hypnosis software are effective interventions for improving clinical and psychological outcomes in IBS patients, and digital self-hypnosis may serve as an accessible and practical adjunct to conventional treatments.