Perceptions of hypnotherapy for children with functional abdominal pain: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND: Hypnotherapy is an effective treatment for children with functional abdominal pain in secondary care. However, children usually present first to general practitioners (GPs) in Dutch primary care, and it is unknown how children, parents, and GPs perceive hypnotherapy in this setting.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the perceptions of children, parents, and GPs about hypnotherapy in primary care for children with functional abdominal pain.

METHODS: This is a qualitative study among Dutch children with functional abdominal pain, the parents of other children with functional abdominal pain, and GPs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted online. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed iteratively by thematic content analysis.

RESULTS: In total, 7 children, 8 parents, and 12 GPs participated. We identified three main themes: attitude to abdominal pain, therapeutic context, and societal constraints and considerations. The attitudes of children and parents to abdominal pain, including acceptance of pain as functional and coping behaviour, affected their expectations of hypnotherapy. Therapeutic context (e.g. the GP-patient relationship and expectations of an effect) and societal constraints and considerations (e.g. stigma and cost) regarding hypnotherapy affected the willingness of children, parents, and GPs to use hypnotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS: Despite controversy about its use, hypnotherapy for functional abdominal pain is considered as a treatment option in primary care. Attitudes of children and parents influenced their willingness to use hypnotherapy. Effective implementation requires good information about hypnotherapy, a good GP-patient relationship, and clear and reliable referral options for hypnotherapy.