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Launch HN: Mindset Health (YC S19) – Hypnotherapy apps for chronic conditions

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Re: Launch HN: Mindset Health (YC S19) – Hypnotherapy apps for chronic conditions

#51

Post by alexnaoumidis »

internet_user wrote: post #49
minibronco88 wrote: post #38

This is great, guys! I have IBS, and there's always been a lack of research-backed options for alleviating symptoms besides the low-FODMAP diet. I actually have a friend who has tried this program and has had tremendous results, and it's cool to see that there's another app for broader purposes. Wishing you guys luck!

Some say fecal transplants are also great (for many things including IBS), is that true from your research?

Fecal transplants are not currently an approved treatment for IBS but there has been some recent research indicating it could potentially be helpful in some cases: https://www.jwatch.org/na50649/2020/01/09/fecal-microbiota-t...

Re: Launch HN: Mindset Health (YC S19) – Hypnotherapy apps for chronic conditions

#54

Post by scoopertrooper »

alexnaoumidis wrote: post #39
kamocyc wrote: post #33

The Hypnotherapy is interesting. But the Wikipedia page [1] says "there was insufficient evidence to support its efficacy." And in the research paper, there are also statements like "the current evidence is limited" [2], "it is unlikely hypnosis will be helpful to all clients" [3] or "the number of patients enrolled in the studies has tended to be low and lacking long-term follow-up" [4]. So, I think for some people…

The efficacy and amount of evidence definitely varies per condition - I wouldn't say it's a pancea for every health condition and there's more research to be done for sure. As we build these programs we'll focus on where there is the most evidence and conduct our own research to further back up the work we're doing. Thanks for checking it out!

Can you point us to the conditions for which the strong evidence of efficacy exists?

Isn't it a bit backward to enter an industry when the entire basis of efficacy is highly suspect? You mentioned that the mechanism of action was that hypnotherapy 'focuses people so they are more open to new ideas and perspectives'; how is that supposed to assist in the treatment of IBS?

Re: Launch HN: Mindset Health (YC S19) – Hypnotherapy apps for chronic conditions

#55

Post by gnicholas »

Kind of weird that there's a review for the IBS app on the Mindset page. Also, when you tout what percent of reviews is 5-star, that actually made a flag go up in my mind. Reviews are notoriously easy to game, and app devs don't usually brag about reviews for this reason.

Re: Launch HN: Mindset Health (YC S19) – Hypnotherapy apps for chronic conditions

#57

Post by mercer »

scoopertrooper wrote: post #54
alexnaoumidis wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The efficacy and amount of evidence definitely varies per condition - I wouldn't say it's a pancea for every health condition and there's more research to be done for sure. As we build these programs we'll focus on where there is the most evidence and conduct our own research to further back up the work we're doing. Thanks for checking it out!

Can you point us to the conditions for which the strong evidence of efficacy exists? Isn't it a bit backward to enter an industry when the entire basis of efficacy is highly suspect? You mentioned that the mechanism of action was that hypnotherapy 'focuses people so they are more open to new ideas and perspectives'; how is that supposed to assist in the treatment of IBS?

I second the request, and consider a lack of answer to be somewhat damning.

For the most part I feel that the 'general' HN toward various forms of therapy is often a bit too harsh. If research indicates that an approach works for 'some types of cases', HN comments often criticize it for not working across the board. Or a lack of overwhelming evidence is considered enough reason to reject the whole thing.

My personal 'minimum' is that there should be some evidence, that isn't too shoddy, that an approach works.

If that minimum isn't met and if users can try an approach for free (like this app?), I feel the placebo effect makes it too easy for people to end up paying anyways, and that makes the product all but snake-oil.

Re: Launch HN: Mindset Health (YC S19) – Hypnotherapy apps for chronic conditions

#58

Post by mercer »

achow wrote: post #42

Since you have done extensive research in this field - are there any hypnotherapy 'solutions' for overcoming fear of Public Speaking? Is it in realm of possibility at all?

some form of CBT or mindfulness-related therapy might help too. With various anxiety issues, afaik there's quite a bit of evidence that these approaches can be very effective.

don't know about hypnotherapy though, other than that in my view EMDR is really not that different (and unlike hypnotherapy it is covered by insurance over here and I suspect most of Europe at least).

Re: Launch HN: Mindset Health (YC S19) – Hypnotherapy apps for chronic conditions

#59

Post by angrais »

spython wrote: post #4

I've had good experiences with hypnotherapy, the most effective being a self-recorded audio. I took a more or less standard hypnotherapy text from Brian Alman and Peter T. Lambrou's book and adapted it to my needs. Experiencing my past self wishing me well, encouraging me, calming me was quite a bit more powerful and trustworthy than any abstract 'radio voice'. Well worth the time to try and record it yourself, for y…

Can you explain how that is hypnotherapy? Sounds like self reflection?

Re: Launch HN: Mindset Health (YC S19) – Hypnotherapy apps for chronic conditions

#60

Post by angrais »

tomhoward wrote: post #56
throwaw4y-plate wrote: post #52

The lack of skepticism here is genuinely surprising.

Surprising in a good way or a bad way? They've provided a lot of peer-reviewed research, which makes it difficult to hold the skeptical line.

What's with HN folk these days thinking peer-reviewed research is some infallible process that results in groundbreaking, objective research?

You should absolutely be skeptical of ALL research. A responsibility of other researchers is to evaluate the methods used and claims made in papers. The peer review journal is not a perfect process and nor are research processes more generally.

Most research cannot be reproduced ... So be skeptical of any and all claims made! (i.e. the reproducibility crisis)

The research they linked does not provide evidence for hypnotherapy as an effective solution, and itself states it as needing more research. See the top comment above.

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