Heart Rate Variability in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome Before and After Gut-directed Hypnotherapy

Dysregulation of the brain-gut-axis is believed to underlie symptom generation in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The Autonomous Nervous System (ANS) is an important route of brain-gut communication and aberrant ANS functioning, reflected in abnormalities in Heart Rate Variability (HRV) have been described in IBS. Gut-directed hypnotherapy (GHT) leads to symptom reductions in IBS and is supposed to increase parasympathetic regulation. To date, however, the role of therapeutic modulation of the ANS through GHT has been rarely examined. Aim of this pilot study is therefore to assess the impact of GHT on ANS functioning as reflected in heart rate variability. 24h-electrocardiogram before and after 10 sessions of gut-directed hypnotherapy will be administered in groups. Time and Frequency measures of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) will be extracted from 24h-electrocardiogram protocols as indicators of ANS regulation. Validated questionnaires will be utilized to assess IBS symptoms (IBS-SSS) and psychological distress (HADS-D).