Online and app-delivered gut-directed hypnotherapy: evidence and gaps

Digital gut-directed hypnotherapy (apps and online programmes) is a separate evidence pile from the therapist-led Manchester course. Some randomised trials are positive. Independent replication is still catching up.

Key evidence

Therapist-led GDH is summarised on does hypnotherapy work for IBS, and the hub. Digital products borrow the same gut-focused suggestion idea but change dose, therapist contact, and adherence.

Published app trials report symptom improvement versus controls in defined samples. That is promising Grade C territory: real RCTs, limited groups, shorter follow-up, and adherence drop-off after the first month in several reports.

Limitations

A download is not the 7–12 session trial protocol. Regulatory clearances, where they exist, are not the same as a new independent meta-analysis.

What we don't know yet

Whether a given app is non-inferior to in-person GDH has not been shown across independent groups.

This page is informational only. It is not personal medical advice.