Functional Dyspepsia Hypnosis

Feasibility will be calculated as the proportion of participants who complete the hypnotherapy treatment program in comparison to those who drop out before treatment is completed.

Treatment satisfaction will be assessed with a single item at the end of treatment asking how satisfied they were overall with their assigned treatment (on a 7-point scale from "Extremely dissatisfied" to "Extremely satisfied")

At the end of treatment, patients were asked an open-ended question to obtain feedback on their experience using the web-based platform for treatment. They were asked to rate their difficulty using the web platform on a 7-point scale from "Extremely difficult" to "Extremely easy".

The PAGI-SYM is a 20-item self-report measure of functional dyspepsia symptom severity. The scale consists of 6 subscales (heartburn/regurgitation, nausea/vomiting, postprandial fullness/early satiety, bloating, upper abdominal pain, and lower abdominal pain). Each item is measured by a 6-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (no complaints) to 5 (severe complaints). Subscale scores are calculated by taking the mean of the items in each subscale. The total score is calculated by taking the mean of the subscale scores. Total scores range from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating worse symptoms. The PAGI-SYM total score was regressed on the fixed effect of time period in a linear mixed effects regression model that included random intercepts to account for within-participant correlation. Least square mean differences were calculated as 3-month follow-up minus baseline.

The NDI-SF is a 10-item self-report disease specific quality of life questionnaire. The scale consists of 5 sub-scales (tension/anxiety, interference with daily activities, disruption to regular eating/drinking, knowledge towards/control over disease, interference with work/study). Each item is measured by a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (not applicable) to 4 (extremely). Individual items are aggregated to obtain a total score ranging from 0 to 100 with higher scores indicating greater impairment in quality of life. The NDI-SF score was regressed on the fixed effect of time period in a linear mixed effects regression model that included random intercepts to account for within-participant correlation. Least square mean differences were calculated as 3-month follow-up minus baseline.

The VSI is a 15-item self-report questionnaire with responses ranging from 1 (strongly agree) to 6 (strongly disagree). The raw VSI score ranges from 0 (severe anxiety) to 75 (no anxiety). The VSI score was regressed on the fixed effect of time period in a linear mixed effects regression model that included random intercepts to account for within-participant correlation. Least square mean differences were calculated as 3-month follow-up minus baseline.

The BSI is an 18-item self-report questionnaire with responses on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from 0 (not bothered by a symptom at all) to 4 (extremely bothered). Three subscales are calculated (somatization, depression, and anxiety) and the subscales can be aggregated to calculate an overall global psychological distress score. The overall score and subscale scores are converted to T-scores (with a population mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10). Higher T-scores indicate more psychological distress and T-scores ≥63 indicate clinically significant psychological distress. The BSI score was regressed on the fixed effect of time period in a linear mixed effects regression model that included random intercepts to account for within-participant correlation. Least square mean differences were calculated as 3-month follow-up minus baseline.

At both baseline and end of treatment, patients will be asked to report the number of outpatient visits and procedures they have had within the last 3 months related to their functional dyspepsia symptoms

At baseline and end of treatment, patients will be asked to report any medications they are taking related to their functional dyspepsia symptoms.