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Irritable Bowel SyndromeNCT07216092

Audio-recorded Gut-Hypnotherapy for Sleep and Pain in Pediatric Abdominal Pain Disorders

A study testing Gut-directed Hypnotherapy in people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Disorders of Gut-brain Interaction, run by Children's Hospital at Montefiore at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

Children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional abdominal pain- not otherwise specified (FAP-NOS) have higher rates of poor sleep quality. This can be associated with worse abdominal pain and quality of life, but few treatments target sleep. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 8 to 18 years
What is being tested?
Gut-directed Hypnotherapy
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
46 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
1 Mar 2023to 25 Nov 2024
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 8 to 18 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child, Adult

Who may be able to join

  • English speaking
  • ages 8 to 18 years
  • met Rome IV criteria for FAP-NOS or IBS
  • abdominal pain severity >3/10 in the past 2 weeks
  • minimum of 1 day of pain in the past 2 weeks
  • mild SRI and/or SD as determined by the PROMIS 4- question short-form questionnaires
  • stable medication regimen or dietary therapy for >2 weeks prior to enrollment

Who cannot join

  • disability that could hinder their understanding of the audio material
  • previous experience with guided imagery for treatment of abdominal pain
  • psychiatric disorder with psychotic elements such as dissociative symptoms
  • other chronic gastrointestinal disease including inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, or eosinophilic esophagitis
  • other chronic inflammatory conditions
  • previous gastrointestinal surgery
  • a diagnosis of a sleep disorder such as narcolepsy or sleep apnea.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • Children's Hospital at Montefiore

    Mahwah, New Jersey, 07430

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: The Role of Audio-recorded Gut-hypnotherapy on Sleep Disturbance, Sleep-related Impairment and Abdominal Pain in Pediatric Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders

Children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional abdominal pain- not otherwise specified (FAP-NOS) have higher rates of poor sleep quality. This can be associated with worse abdominal pain and quality of life, but few treatments target sleep. Gut-directed hypnotherapy (GDH) has been shown to reduce abdominal pain and has been hypothesized to improve sleep, but this has not been studied. This study investigates the use of a home-based audio program of GDH as a feasibility intervention for children and whether it can also help with sleep quality. Children aged 8-18 with IBS or FAP-NOS were enrolled from three children's hospitals. Participants in one group completed 6 weeks of GDH sessions at home. Sleep, abdominal pain, and daily functioning were tracked through online surveys. Participants in the control group continued their usual medical care first, and then crossed over into the GDH program.

Read the detailed description

Children with pain-predominant disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional abdominal pain-not otherwise specified (FAP-NOS) frequently experience sleep-related impairment, which is linked to increased pain severity, functional disability, and health care utilization. Gut-directed hypnotherapy (GDH) is an evidence-based treatment for pediatric DGBI that has been hypothesized to improve sleep, although this has not been studied. This pilot randomized controlled trial evaluates the feasibility of implementing a 6-week, audio-guided GDH program at home and explores effect sizes for sleep, abdominal pain, quality of life, and anxiety outcomes. Children ages 8-18 meeting Rome IV criteria for IBS or FAP-NOS and at least mild sleep disturbance or sleep impairment were recruited virtually from three pediatric gastroenterology centers. Participants were randomized to either standard medical therapy (SMT) or GDH; SMT participants crossed over to GDH after 6 weeks. Primary outcomes were feasibility as measured by adherence, interest, and satisfaction and sleep effect size. Secondary exploratory aims included abdominal pain, functional disability, and anxiety.

Being tested
Gut-directed Hypnotherapy
Keywords
gut-directed hypnotherapy, disorders of gut-brain interaction, irritable bowel syndrome, sleep-related impairment, sleep disturbance
Medical subject headings
Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Parasomnias

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Gut-directed HypnotherapyOther

    Gut-directed hypnotherapy is an evidence-based treatment that combines hypnosis with therapeutic suggestions that target the gut-brain connection. Through relaxation, imagery, and suggestions, patients learn to better control their pain.

Study groups in NCT07216092
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Gut-directed hypnotherapyExperimental6-week series of audio-recorded sessions of gut-directed hypnotherapy
Receives: Other: Gut-directed Hypnotherapy
Standard Medical TherapyNo interventionThis group continued their usual medical care for 6 weeks

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Feasibility of adherence and satisfaction to hypnotherapy treatment protocol

    Feasibility was measured through treatment adherence and participant satisfaction. Adherence was measured by number of pre-audio surveys completed and self-reported number of audios completed per week. A 5-point likert scale was used to determine enrolled participant satisfaction with hypnotherapy at the end of the intervention.

    Measured: This was assessed throughout the 6 week course by completion of daily abdominal pain surveys and at the end of the 6 week hypnotherapy course.

  2. Treatment effect size for Sleep Quality as measured by PROMIS Questionnaire for sleep-related impairment and sleep disturbance

    Patient- reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS) sleep related impairment and sleep disturbance surveys were used to measure sleep quality. This scale produces T-scores ranging from about 25-75, normalized to a population mean of 50 and a standard devision of 10. For this measure, a higher T-score indicates a greater severity of sleep related impairment or sleep disturbance.

    Measured: enrollment to the end of the 3-month follow up period

Secondary outcomes (3)
  1. Abdominal pain

    Defined as pain severity and frequency. Assessed using numerical modified abdominal pain index. Frequency and intensity scores were multiplied to yield a combined score with possible range of 0 to 50. Daily abdominal pain was assessed using Faces pain Scale- reviewed, rating pain from 0-10.

    Measured: enrollment to the end of the 3-month follow up period

  2. Functional disability

    Disability is assessed and defined by the Functional Disability Inventory tool. This is a numerical tool, resulting in a total score that ranges from 0 to 60. A higher total score indicates greater degree of functional disability.

    Measured: enrollment to the end of the 3-month follow up period

  3. Anxiety

    Patient- reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS) emotional distress-- anxiety was used to measure anxiety. This scale produces T-scores ranging from about 25-75, normalized to a population mean of 50 and a standard devision of 10. For this measure, a higher T-score indicates a greater severity of anxiety symptoms.

    Measured: enrollment to the end of the 3-month follow up period

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted14 Oct 2025
  2. Study start1 Mar 2023
  3. Primary completion25 Nov 2024
  4. Study completion25 Nov 2024

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Crossover
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
46 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07216092
Sponsor's protocol ID
2022-14317
Status last verified
Oct 2025
First submitted
17 Sep 2025
Last updated
14 Oct 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: It is a small sample size, this will risk privacy and confidentiality for participants

Publications

  • van Tilburg MA, Chitkara DK, Palsson OS, Turner M, Blois-Martin N, Ulshen M, Whitehead WE. Audio-recorded guided imagery treatment reduces functional abdominal pain in children: a pilot study. Pediatrics. 2009 Nov;124(5):e890-7. doi: 10.1542/peds.2009-0028. Epub 2009 Oct 12.

    PubMed 19822590
  • Groen J, Gordon M, Chogle A, Benninga M, Borlack R, Borrelli O, Darbari A, Dolinsek J, Khlevner J, Di Lorenzo C, Person H, Sanghavi R, Snyder J, Thapar N, Vlieger A, Sinopoulou V, Tabbers M, Saps M. ESPGHAN/NASPGHAN guidelines for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome and functional abdominal pain-not otherwise specified in children aged 4-18 years. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2025 Aug;81(2):442-471. doi: 10.1002/jpn3.70070. Epub 2025 May 30.

    PubMed 40444524
  • Palsson OS, van Tilburg M. Hypnosis and Guided Imagery Treatment for Gastrointestinal Disorders: Experience With Scripted Protocols Developed at the University of North Carolina. Am J Clin Hypn. 2015 Jul;58(1):5-21. doi: 10.1080/00029157.2015.1012705.

    PubMed 26046714
  • Mamoune S, Mener E, Chapron A, Poimboeuf J. Hypnotherapy and insomnia: A narrative review of the literature. Complement Ther Med. 2022 May;65:102805. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102805. Epub 2022 Jan 21.

    PubMed 35074550
  • Rutten JMTM, Vlieger AM, Frankenhuis C, George EK, Groeneweg M, Norbruis OF, Tjon A Ten W, van Wering HM, Dijkgraaf MGW, Merkus MP, Benninga MA. Home-Based Hypnotherapy Self-exercises vs Individual Hypnotherapy With a Therapist for Treatment of Pediatric Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Functional Abdominal Pain, or Functional Abdominal Pain Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Pediatr. 2017 May 1;171(5):470-477. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.0091.

    PubMed 28346581
  • Vasant DH, Hasan SS, Cruickshanks P, Whorwell PJ. Gut-focused hypnotherapy for children and adolescents with irritable bowel syndrome. Frontline Gastroenterol. 2020 Nov 23;12(7):570-577. doi: 10.1136/flgastro-2020-101679. eCollection 2021.

    PubMed 34917314
  • Gulewitsch MD, Muller J, Hautzinger M, Schlarb AA. Brief hypnotherapeutic-behavioral intervention for functional abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome in childhood: a randomized controlled trial. Eur J Pediatr. 2013 Aug;172(8):1043-51. doi: 10.1007/s00431-013-1990-y. Epub 2013 Apr 9.

    PubMed 23568514
  • Santucci NR, Velasco-Benitez CA, Velasco-Suarez DA, King C, Byars K, Dye T, Li J, Saps M. Youth With Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders Have More Sleep Disturbances. A School-Based Study. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2025 Apr;37(4):e14992. doi: 10.1111/nmo.14992. Epub 2024 Dec 31.

    PubMed 39737536
  • Haim A, Pillar G, Pecht A, Lerner A, Tov N, Jaffe M, Hardoff D. Sleep patterns in children and adolescents with functional recurrent abdominal pain: objective versus subjective assessment. Acta Paediatr. 2004 May;93(5):677-80.

    PubMed 15174794
  • Huntley ED, Campo JV, Dahl RE, Lewin DS. Sleep characteristics of youth with functional abdominal pain and a healthy comparison group. J Pediatr Psychol. 2007 Sep;32(8):938-49. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsm032. Epub 2007 Jul 12.

    PubMed 17627965
  • Patel A, Hasak S, Cassell B, Ciorba MA, Vivio EE, Kumar M, Gyawali CP, Sayuk GS. Effects of disturbed sleep on gastrointestinal and somatic pain symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2016 Aug;44(3):246-58. doi: 10.1111/apt.13677. Epub 2016 May 30.

    PubMed 27240555
  • Murphy LK, Palermo TM, Tham SW, Stone AL, Han GT, Bruehl S, Garber J, Walker LS. Comorbid Sleep Disturbance in Adolescents with Functional Abdominal Pain. Behav Sleep Med. 2021 Jul-Aug;19(4):471-480. doi: 10.1080/15402002.2020.1781634. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

    PubMed 32573267
  • Schurman JV, Friesen CA, Dai H, Danda CE, Hyman PE, Cocjin JT. Sleep problems and functional disability in children with functional gastrointestinal disorders: an examination of the potential mediating effects of physical and emotional symptoms. BMC Gastroenterol. 2012 Oct 15;12:142. doi: 10.1186/1471-230X-12-142.

    PubMed 23067390
  • Thapar N, Benninga MA, Crowell MD, Di Lorenzo C, Mack I, Nurko S, Saps M, Shulman RJ, Szajewska H, van Tilburg MAL, Enck P. Paediatric functional abdominal pain disorders. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2020 Nov 5;6(1):89. doi: 10.1038/s41572-020-00222-5.

    PubMed 33154368

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Gut-directed Hypnotherapy in people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Disorders of Gut-brain Interaction, run by Children's Hospital at Montefiore at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 14 Oct 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Feasibility of adherence and satisfaction to hypnotherapy treatment protocol (time frame: This was assessed throughout the 6 week course by completion of daily abdominal pain surveys and at the end of the 6 week hypnotherapy course.). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07216092, which also lists 14 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 14 Oct 2025.

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