Prior research by the author showed that psychosocial factors distinguished complicated from uncomplicated birth outcome. The purpose of this study was to determine if prenatal hypnosis could facilitate uncomplicated birth. Following a psychosocial assessment, 520 pregnant women in their first or second trimester of pregnancy were randomized to receiving prenatal hypnosis or attention-only groups. The author provided all of the hypnosis in a manner similar to that taught by David Cheek. The goal was to reduce fear of birth and parenthood; to reduce anxiety; to reduce stress; to identify specific fears that might complicate the labor process (addressing them whenever possible); and to prepare women for the experience of labor. The attention-only group was matched to a no-contact comparison group. Women receiving prenatal hypnosis had significantly better outcomes than women who did not. Further assessment suggested that hypnosis worked by preventing negative emotional factors from leading to an complicated birth outcome. Attention only was associated with minimal differences in outcome over the no-contact group. The routine prenatal use of hypnosis could improve obstetric outcome.

Am J Clin Hypn. 2004 Apr;46(4):299-312. Mehl-Madrona LE. Program in Integrative Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, 1249 N. Mountain St., Tucson, AZ 85719, USA. madrona@email.arizona.edu

Full Title: Long-term results of biofeedback treatment for faecal incontinence: a comparative study with untreated controls

AIM: Long-term results of biofeedback for faecal incontinence are controversial. Moreover, its value compared with standard care has been recently questioned. The study aimed to analyse the long-term efficacy of biofeedback therapy for faecal incontinence to formed stool and to compare it with no treatment. METHOD: Seventy-nine patients with faecal incontinence to solid stool were evaluated at baseline and 1, 6, 36 and 60 months after treatment. To compare the long-term results with no treatment, 40 patients initially evaluated but not referred for therapy were used as controls. RESULTS: More than 80% of patients recovered continence or had a reduction in the number of episodes of incontinence greater than 75% at 1, 6, 36 and 60 months, indicating that the success rate of biofeedback was maintained over time. At 60 months, 86% of patients treated with biofeedback were fully continent or had a > 75% reduction in the number of incontinent episodes compared to 26% of the untreated patients (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Biofeedback therapy is effective in patients with faecal incontinence to formed stool compared with no treatment. Overall, clinical improvement is maintained in the long term..

Colorectal Dis. 2010 Aug;12(8):742-9. Epub 2009 Apr 10. Lacima G, Pera M, Amador A, Escaramís G, Piqué JM. Digestive Motility Unit, Digestive Diseases Institut, Hospital Clinic. Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain. glacima@clinic.ub.es