Efficacy of psychosomatic approaches in patients with diffuse esophageal spasm (DES)

Diffuse esophageal spasm (DES) is a motor disorder of the esophagus characterized by multiple spontaneous contractions and by swallow-induced simultaneous contractions with large amplitude, long duration, and repetitive occurrence. DES is known to cause symptoms such as dysphagia or chest pain, however, the cause and therapy of DES are not clearly established. There were very few reports of psychological therapy for esophageal motor disorders. We report three cases of DES remarkably improved by psychosomatic therapy; autogenic training, supportive psychotherapy and antidepressants. Our experience shows that psychosomatic approaches are effective in treating DES patients. We suggest that psychosomatic therapy is an effective therapy of esophageal motor disorders, which are mostly induced by psychosocial stress.