Active-alert Hypnosis Research Articles

Electrodermal Orienting Response During Active-Alert Hypnosis: Do Verbal Suggestions Influence Automatic Attentional Processes?

ABSTRACT This study explored the influence of suggestions on differences in electrodermal laterality of the skin conductance orienting response (SCR). Thirty-two participants were randomly assigned to either permitting or excluding suggestions. During the dream task in the permitting condition the suggestion was: “You are aware of your surroundings and any distractions that might disturb your dream,” while in the excluding condition the wording was: “No outside stimulus will disturb your sleep.” Participants were presented with 12 standards and 2 deviant computer-generated tones during active-alert hypnosis and musical control conditions in a mixed within-between design. High hypnotizables produced higher SCRs after permissive compared to excluding suggestions during hypnosis, while low hypnotizables did the same in the control condition. Study limitations include some loss of data due to equipment failure and relative homogeneity of sample, therefore results cannot be considered definitive.

Altered States of Consciousness during Exercise, Active-Alert Hypnosis, and Everyday Waking State

ABSTRACT This retrospective study was a nonrandomized comparison of exercisers’ (runners and participants of a spinning class) states of consciousness with subjects of active-alert hypnosis (AAH) and students in a class (control). Three hundred and seventy-five participants completed the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (PCI). Runners, spinners, and participants of AAH scored higher on the altered experience and altered state of awareness dimensions of the PCI than the control group. Runners scored higher than participants of AAH and the control condition on the rationality dimension, and spinners scored higher than participants in the AAH condition. The AAH group scored lowest on the self-awareness dimension. On the volitional control dimension, the spinning and control groups scored significantly higher than the runner and AAH groups. The results suggest that exercise may lead to states of consciousness similar to AAH and thus increase responsiveness to a coach’s training suggestions.

Phenomenological Experiences during Active-Alert Hypnosis: Comparison of Hypnotist and Subject

ABSTRACT There has been increasing clinical interest in active-alert hypnosis (AAH). However, relatively few studies have been devoted to studying its properties systematically. The present study compared the subjective experiences of subjects (31) and hypnotists (5) during AAH, using Pekala’s Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (PCI), the Dyadic Interactional Harmony (DIH) scale and the Archaic Involvement Measure (AIM). Results demonstrated similarities between the experiences of subjects and hypnotists. The only significant difference between the subjects’ and the hypnotists’ experiences was shown by the PCI, which highlighted the differences stemming from the different roles of hypnotist and subject during the AAH. The study suggests it may be important to examine subjective descriptors in the exploration of personal experiences in studies of AAH.

Active-Alert Hypnosis: History, Research, and Applications

After a brief review of the history of the idea of an activity-increasing hypnotic induction procedure with eyes open and pedaling a bicycle ergometer, the features of active-alert hypnotic induction are summarized. Results of research conducted on healthy volunteers revealed the behavioral, experiential, physiological, and interactional characteristics of the induced altered state of consciousness (ASC), showing both similarities and differences between traditional and active-alert hypnosis. A short description of the application of the method is followed by two brief case studies.

CHANGES IN OXYTOCIN AND CORTISOL IN ACTIVE-ALERT HYPNOSIS: Hormonal Changes Benefiting Low Hypnotizable Participants

It is increasingly clear that oxytocin and cortisol play an intricate role in the regulation of behavior and emotions impacting health, relationships, and well-being. Their long-term, cross-generational effect makes them an important focus of the present study. This exploratory research examined changes in oxytocin and cortisol levels and their correlations with different phenomenological measures in both hypnotist and subject during active-alert hypnosis. The level of oxytocin increased whereas the level of cortisol decreased in the hypnotist. When comparing the oxytocin changes of subjects with their hypnotizability, those with low hypnotizability scores experienced an increase in oxytocin, and those with medium and high hypnotizability scores showed no change or decrease. This could explain why clients’ hypnotizability is not considered an important factor during hypnotherapy.

Hypnosis for rehabilitation after stroke: six case studies

This report presents qualitative accounts from a pilot clinical study of six chronic stroke subjects. Our hypothesis was that a hypnotic procedure would help overcome learned nonuse, which is thought to contribute to impaired motor function of the paretic upper limb in chronic stroke patients. The hypnotic procedure involved selecting motor tasks that would challenge each subject, then (1) imagined practice of the challenging motor task revivified from prior to the stroke alternated with imagined practice in the present; (2) imagined practice in the present alternated with imagined practice during active-alert hypnosis; and (3) active-alert imagined practice alternated with actual physical performance. We observed qualitative improvements in motor function related to increased range of motion, increased grip strength, and reduced spasticity of the paretic upper limb. Subjects consistently reported an improved outlook, increased motivation, as well as greater awareness of and decreased effort to perform motor tasks with the paretic limb. Copyright © 2006 British Society of Experimental & Clinical Hypnosis. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Preference between Two Methods of Active-Alert Hypnosis: Not All Techniques are Created Equal

In a cross-over design (N = 80), we compared the differential liking and preference for two hypnotic techniques involving physical activity: Active-alert and waking-alert (or alert-hand) procedures. Participants expressed significantly higher liking and preference for the waking-alert as compared to the active-alert procedure. The latter technique, which also had significantly lower suggestibility scores (Cardeña et al., 1998) was also associated with a significantly higher attrition rate (23%). These significant differences may be explained by the greater physical effort and difficulty associated with the active-alert technique. It seems that the waking-alert method extends the advantages of active hypnosis (e.g., alertness, enhanced self-mastery) to individuals who may dislike or are unable to cope with the greater demands required by the active-alert procedure.

Effects on suggestibility of a new method of active-alert hypnosis: Alert hand

Research has shown that the active-alert method described by BaáAnyai and Hilgard (1976) produces a similar increase on suggestibility as relaxation-based techniques, but it has some limitations, including the need for a stationary bicycle and a certain level of physical fitness. The authors compared that method with the new “alert hand” method, which emphasizes activity and alertness, but is simpler and less strenuous. In a repeated measures, counterbalanced design (N = 80), the authors found that (a) the alert hand method produced significantly higher objective and subjective suggestibility scores than the active-alert technique, and (b) a high percentage (23%) of volunteers discontinued participation during the active-alert method but not during the alert hand method. The alert hand method extends the benefits of active hypnosis to individuals who may have difficulties with the physical demands required by the active-alert method, and it seems to enhance suggestibility even more.

A case study of improved performance in archery using hypnosis.

Active-alert hypnosis and traditional hypnosis procedures can be combined and applied in sport following the lines of an isomorphic model. A case study of improved shooting performance in an adult expert archer after 20 weeks of mental training is reported.

Hypnosis in Sport: An Isomorphic Model

Hypnosis in sport can be applied according to an Isomorphic Model. Active-alert hypnosis is induced before or during practice whereas traditional hypnosis is induced after practice to establish connections between the two experiences. The fundamental goals are to (a) develop mental skills important to both motor and hypnotic performance, (b) supply a wide range of motor and hypnotic bodily experiences important to performance, and (c) induce alert hypnosis before or during performance. The model is based on the assumption that hypnosis and motor performance share common skills modifiable through training. Similarities between hypnosis and peak performance in the model are also considered. Some predictions are important from theoretical and practical points of view.

Active-alert hypnosis: replication and extension of previous research.

Active-alert hypnosis: replication and extension of previous research.