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Key takeaways:
- In a randomized trial in adults with IBS, 81% receiving the studied Nerva intervention achieved at least a 50-point reduction on the IBS Symptom Severity Scale at program completion, compared with 63% receiving an active digital control.
- The trial tested a digital program with gut-directed hypnotherapy against a program without hypnotherapy; it did not compare competing digestive care companies.
- Nerva is a personalized digital digestive care program; the trial provides evidence for the studied intervention within its brain-gut behavioral care.
- Nerva's current program combines clinical screening, behavioral care, dietary guidance, symptom tracking and escalation, with six-week core and continued maintenance access.
In a randomized trial in adults with IBS, 81% receiving the studied Nerva intervention achieved at least a 50-point reduction on the IBS Symptom Severity Scale at program completion, compared with 63% receiving an active digital control. The trial tested digitally delivered gut-directed hypnotherapy, an approach within Nerva's brain-gut behavioral care. Here is what the study established and how it relates to the current care program.
The results were published online on 28 June 2024 and in the February 2025 issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology. Read the published study abstract.
What did the trial compare?
Adults with IBS were assigned to a digital study program with gut-directed hypnotherapy, delivered through Nerva, or an active control without hypnotherapy. The abstract reports 244 randomized participants, of whom 240 received the programs: 121 in the Nerva group and 119 in the control group.
The primary endpoint was the proportion of participants whose IBS Symptom Severity Scale score fell by at least 50 points at program completion. This is a threshold for meaningful improvement in a symptom score, rather than a measure of whether someone was cured.
What were the results?
At program completion, 81% in the hypnotherapy group met the primary endpoint, compared with 63% in the active-control group (P = .002).
A reduction of at least 30% in abdominal pain was reported by 71% versus 35%, respectively (P < .001). Quality of life improved more with hypnotherapy. Psychological status improved similarly in both groups.
These are different outcomes. The 81% figure is not an 81% reduction in symptoms, and the 71% figure refers to a defined pain-response threshold. Neither percentage is a guarantee about an individual person's experience.
How should the findings be interpreted?
The trial provides controlled evidence for digitally delivered gut-directed hypnotherapy within Nerva's brain-gut behavioral approach. Its active comparison matters: both groups received a digital program, and the group receiving hypnotherapy had a higher symptom-response rate.
The findings apply to the intervention studied in adults with IBS. The population was predominantly female. The trial did not compare Nerva with Oshi, Cylinder, Ayble or a low-FODMAP diet, and it did not separately evaluate every component of today's broader care program.
The study included follow-up after the program. The primary result described here is the comparison at program completion; it should not be relabeled as a six-month response rate.
Is this the same as the 2016 low-FODMAP study?
No. Peters and colleagues' 2016 trial compared therapist-delivered gut-directed hypnotherapy, a low-FODMAP diet and their combination. It did not test the Nerva app. It is evidence about those approaches, while the Anderson trial provides evidence about the digital Nerva study program.
From clinical evidence to personalized digestive care
Nerva is a personalized digital digestive care program combining clinical screening, brain-gut behavioral care, dietary guidance, symptom tracking and escalation when needed. It includes a six-week core program and continued maintenance access. Gut-directed hypnotherapy is one component of its brain-gut behavioral care. Explore the full care program and watch the demo.
Bring evidence-supported brain-gut behavioral care into your patients' digestive care. See how to refer a patient to Nerva.
For other publications and study summaries, visit Nerva's research library.
References
Anderson EJ, Peters SL, Gibson PR, Halmos EP. Comparison of Digitally Delivered Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy Program With an Active Control for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2025;120(2):440–448. Published online 28 June 2024. PubMed study abstract. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000002921.
Peters SL, Yao CK, Philpott H, Yelland GW, Muir JG, Gibson PR. Randomised clinical trial: the efficacy of gut-directed hypnotherapy is similar to that of the low FODMAP diet for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 2016;44(5):447–459. PubMed study abstract.
