Gut-directed hypnotherapy for IBS-D: evidence review
GDH trials include many people with diarrhoea-predominant IBS. Global improvement is clearer than a dedicated IBS-D meta-analysis.
Last reviewed 27 August 2026
Diarrhoea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) is common in gut-directed hypnotherapy samples. Urgency and loose stools are among the symptoms global scales capture. A dedicated IBS-D-only evidence grade is still B, not a second Grade A.
Key evidence
Pooled GDH reviews such as Flik 2014, and the Gut psychological-therapies NMA report global IBS outcomes. Many included participants had diarrhoea-predominant or mixed patterns. That supports offering GDH to people with IBS-D after medical assessment. It does not replace an IBS-D-specific network meta-analysis.
See the hub for the programme-level Grade A.
Limitations
Trials often under-report stool-form subscales. People with overlapping bile-acid diarrhoea or microscopic colitis should have those considered medically first.
What we don't know yet
Whether urgency responds as reliably as pain is not cleanly separated in most papers.
This page is informational only. It is not personal medical advice.
Reviewed by
Rebecca SmithDip.Clin.Hyp. Women's Health Specialist