Combined use of hypnosis and emg biofeedback in the treatment of stress‐induced conditions

Abstract

AbstractHypnotherapy has been used successfully in the treatment of stress‐induced conditions. In this study the use of hypnosis is compared with the use of hypnosis plus EMG biofeedback in the framework of behavioural therapy. Twenty subjects, seven male and 13 female, mean age 37 years, suffering from stress and tension headaches were treated by hypnosis and behavioural therapy. Their results were compared with a group of 20 subjects, eight male and 12 female, mean age 33 years, who were given EMG biofeedback therapy in conjunction with the above treatments. There was no significant difference between the two groups on age, sex or social economic status and on stress and pain measures. Assessment was by measures on stress inventories and pain charts. The baseline measures were compared with the measures at week 12 and after 6 months. EMG biofeedback therapy was administered by placing electrodes on the subjects' forehead 30 ms prior to seeing the therapist. Both groups received 12 half‐hour sessions of hypnosis and behavioural psychotherapy. The biofeedback group received an additional 30 ms on biofeedback apparatus. The results indicated that both groups showed significant gains, but the hypnosis and biofeedback group showed better results and reported that they found it easier to accept hypnotic training and self‐regulation. The study indicates that EMG biofeedback has been useful in facilitating the treatment process and subsequent self‐improvement training of the subjects. Follow‐up study shows that both groups maintained most of their original gains.