Alicia San Miguel’s Three Minute Thesis

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Efficacy of gut focused hypnosis with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is characterized as a re-occurring, chronic disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. Features present as primarily pain or discomfort that may or may not be alleviated by a bowel movement and is consistent with three subtypes: diarrhea, constipation, or mixed features. To date no organic etiology has been found that explains the experience of dysregulation of bowel habits, visceral sensitivity, catastrophizing, or increased pain perception of the IBS patient. Research suggests that gut directed hypnosis might be the new treatment of choice, specifically the North Carolina Protocol. Few studies have evaluated the effects of the North Carolina Protocol on the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, specifically pain. This proposed research study will test the effectiveness of a manualized hypnosis in patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. On the basis of the current literature, it is hypothesized that this manualized hypnosis intervention will alleviate functional symptoms, specifically IBS-related pain.