Use Of Hypnosis Research Articles

Review of the International Literature

Batty, M.J., Bonnington, S., Tang, B., Hawken, M.B, & Gruzelier, J.H. (2006). Relaxation strategies and enhancement of hypnotic susceptibility: EEG neurofeedback, progressive muscle relaxation and self-hypnosis. Brain Research Bulletin, 71 (1–3),83–90. Brown, R.J. (2006). Different types of “dissociation” have different psychological mechanisms. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 7 (4), 7–28. Diamond, S.G., Davis, O.C., Schaechter, J.D., & Howe, R.D. (2006). Hypnosis for rehabilitation after stroke: Six case studies. Contemporary Hypnosis, 23 (4), 173–180. Ferrell, M.D., Beach, R.L., Szeverenyi, N.M., Krch, M., & Fernhall, B. (2006). An fMRI analysis of neural activity during perceived zone-state performance. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 28 (4), 421–433. Gay, M. (2007). Effectiveness of hypnosis in reducing mild essential hypertension: A one-year follow-up. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 55(1), 67–83. Guzman-Hosta L., Martinez-Taboas A., Rodriguez-Gomez J. (2007). A Spanish version of the Barber Suggestibility Scale for the Puerto Rican population. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 55(1), 59–66. Holmes, E.A.; Oakley, D.A.; Stuart, A.D.P.; Brewin, C.R. (2006). Investigating pen-traumatic dissociation using hypnosis during a traumatic film. Journal of Trauma h Dissociation, 7 (4), 91–111. Hutchinson-Phillips S, Gow K, & Jamieson G.A. (2007). Hypnotizability, eating behaviors, attitudes, and concerns: A literature survey. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 55(1), 84–113. Lang, E.V., Berbaum, K.S., Faintuch, S., Hatsiopoulou, O., Halsey, N., Li, X., Berbaum, M.L., Laser, E., & Baum, J. (2006). Adjunctive self-hypnotic relaxation for outpatient medical procedures: A prospective randomized trial with women undergoing large core breast biopsy. Pain, 126 (1–3), 155–164. Lee, J.S., Spiegel, D., Kim, S.B., Lee, J.H., Kim, S.I., Yang, B.H., Choi, J.H., Kho, Y.C., & Nam, J. H. (2007). Fractal analysis of EEG in hypnosis and its relationship with hypnotizability. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 55(1), 14–31. Marc, I., Rainville, P., Verreault, R., Vaillancourt, L., Masse, B., & Dodin, S. (2007). The use of hypnosis to improve pain management during voluntary interruption of pregnancy: An open randomized preliminary study. Contraception, 75(1), 52–58. Oakley D.A., Deeley Q, & Halligan P. W. (2007). Hypnotic depth and response to suggestion under standardized conditions and during fMRI Scanning. International Journalof Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 55(1), 32–58. Sebastiani, L., D'Alessandro, L., Menicucci, D., Ghelarducci, B., & Santarcangelo, E. L. (2007). Role of relaxation and specific suggestions in hypnotic emotional numbing. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 63(1), 125–132. Sood, A., Ebbed, J.O., Sood, R., & Stevens, S.R. (2006). Complementary treatments for tobacco cessation: A survey. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 8 (6), 767–771. Varga, K., Józsa, E., Báinyai, É.I., Gõsi-Greguss, & A.C. A new way of characterizing hypnotic interactions: Dyadic Interactional Harmony (DIH) questionnaire. Contemporary Hypnosis, 23(4), 151–166. Younger J.W., Rossetti G.C., Borckardt JJ., Smith A.R., Tasso A.F., & Nash M.R. (2007). Hypnotizability and somatic complaints: A gender-specific phenomenon. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 55(1), 1–13. Yu, C. (2006). Defense mechanisms and suggestibility. Contemporary Hypnosis, 23 (4), 167–172.

Hypnosis and the Treatment of Posttraumatic Conditions: An Evidence-Based Approach

This article reviews the evidence for the use of hypnosis in the treatment of posttraumatic conditions including posttraumatic stress disorder and acute stress disorder. The review focuses on empirically supported principles and practices and suggests that hypnosis can be a useful adjunctive procedure in the treatment of posttraumatic conditions. Cognitive-behavioral and exposure-based interventions, which have the greatest empirical support, are highlighted, and an illustrative case study is presented.

The use of hypnosis to improve pain management during voluntary interruption of pregnancy: An open randomized preliminary study

Abstract Objective This report describes an open randomized study that aims to determine whether a brief hypnotic intervention during first-trimester surgical abortion reduces requests for pain medication. Methods Thirty women undergoing first-trimester surgical abortion at the family planning clinics of a large hospital in Quebec City were randomized into a control group that received standard care and a hypnosis group that received, in addition to standard care, an intervention of hypnosis, including analgesia suggestions 20 min before and throughout the surgical procedure. Patients in both groups were given the option to control their pain with nitrous oxide (N 2 O) sedation administered through a nose mask as often and for as long as they wanted during the procedure. N 2 O sedation as the primary outcome was assessed at each step of the procedure. The patient's self-reported anxiety and pain were also assessed during the procedure as secondary outcomes. Results Thirty-six percent of patients in the hypnosis group requested N 2 O sedation during the procedure versus 87% in the control group (p Conclusion These results suggest that hypnosis can be integrated into standard care and reduces the need for N 2 O in patients undergoing first-trimester surgical abortion. This reduction in N 2 O consumption did not lead to significant changes in pain or anxiety, and a larger sample size is required to assess the possible effects of hypnosis on those variables.

The use of hypnosis to improve pain management during voluntary interruption of pregnancy: an open randomized preliminary study

Objective This report describes an open randomized study that aims to determine whether a brief hypnotic intervention during first-trimester surgical abortion reduces requests for pain medication. Methods Thirty women undergoing first-trimester surgical abortion at the family planning clinics of a large hospital in Quebec City were randomized into a control group that received standard care and a hypnosis group that received, in addition to standard care, an intervention of hypnosis, including analgesia suggestions 20 min before and throughout the surgical procedure. Patients in both groups were given the option to control their pain with nitrous oxide (N 2O) sedation administered through a nose mask as often and for as long as they wanted during the procedure. N 2O sedation as the primary outcome was assessed at each step of the procedure. The patient's self-reported anxiety and pain were also assessed during the procedure as secondary outcomes. Results Thirty-six percent of patients in the hypnosis group requested N 2O sedation during the procedure versus 87% in the control group (p<.01). No differences between the groups were found in reports of pain and anxiety during the procedure. Conclusion These results suggest that hypnosis can be integrated into standard care and reduces the need for N 2O in patients undergoing first-trimester surgical abortion. This reduction in N 2O consumption did not lead to significant changes in pain or anxiety, and a larger sample size is required to assess the possible effects of hypnosis on those variables.

Conversion Disorder

Conversion Disorder

Hypnosis for treatment of insomnia in school-age children: a retrospective chart review

BackgroundThe purposes of this study are to document psychosocial stressors and medical conditions associated with development of insomnia in school-age children and to report use of hypnosis for this condition.MethodsA retrospective chart review was performed for 84 children and adolescents with insomnia, excluding those with central or obstructive sleep apnea. All patients were offered and accepted instruction in self-hypnosis for treatment of insomnia, and for other symptoms if it was felt that these were amenable to therapy with hypnosis. Seventy-five patients returned for follow-up after the first hypnosis session. Their mean age was 12 years (range, 7–17). When insomnia did not resolve after the first instruction session, patients were offered the opportunity to use hypnosis to gain insight into the cause.ResultsYounger children were more likely to report that the insomnia was related to fears. Two or fewer hypnosis sessions were provided to 68% of the patients. Of the 70 patients reporting a delay in sleep onset of more than 30 minutes, 90% reported a reduction in sleep onset time following hypnosis. Of the 21 patients reporting nighttime awakenings more than once a week, 52% reported resolution of the awakenings and 38% reported improvement. Somatic complaints amenable to hypnosis were reported by 41%, including chest pain, dyspnea, functional abdominal pain, habit cough, headaches, and vocal cord dysfunction. Among these patients, 87% reported improvement or resolution of the somatic complaints following hypnosis.ConclusionUse of hypnosis appears to facilitate efficient therapy for insomnia in school-age children.

Antenatal Self-hypnosis for Labour and Childbirth: A Pilot Study

In our institution we have used antenatal training in self-hypnosis for over three years as a tool to provide relaxation, anxiolysis and analgesia for women in labour. To assess the effects of hypnotherapy, we prospectively collected data related to the use of hypnosis in preparation for childbirth, and compared the birth outcomes of women experiencing antenatal hypnosis with parity and gestational age matched controls. Prospective data about women taught self-hypnosis in preparation for childbirth were collected between August 2002 and August 2004. Birth outcome data of women using hypnosis were compared with routinely collected retrospective data from parity and gestational age matched women delivering after 37 weeks gestation during 2003. Seventy-seven antenatal women consecutively taught self-hypnosis in preparation for childbirth were compared with 3,249 parity and gestational age matched controls. Of the women taught antenatal self-hypnosis, nulliparous parturients used fewer epidurals: 36% (18/50) compared with 53% (765/1436) of controls (RR 0.68 [95%CI 0.47-0.98]); and required less augmentation: 18% (9/50) vs 36% (523/1436) (RR 0.48 [95%CI 0.27-0.90]). Our clinical findings are consistent with recent meta-analyses showing beneficial outcomes associated with the use of hypnosis in childbirth. Adequately powered, randomized trials are required to further elucidate the effects of hypnosis preparation for childbirth.

Tele-hypnosis in the Treatment of Adolescent School Refusal

Few studies have presented the use of hypnosis in the treatment of school refusal. These studies haven't approached the problem of self-hypnosis during the stressful morning hours. This paper introduces a therapeutic approach, which utilizes known hypnotic techniques, but rehearses them via the telephone, while the patient is at his/her house or on the way to school and the therapist is at the office. Twelve school-refusal adolescents were treated with different hypnotherapy techniques. Equipped with cellular phones and with the therapist's availability, these adolescents could benefit from hypnosis as an alternative coping strategy when the anxiety occurred. Results showed that 8 of the participants maintained full-time attendance, 3 showed partial improvement and 1 failed to improve his attendance. This study illustrates the benefits of self-hypnosis in the treatment of school refusal, while also enabling the patient to maintain the connection with the therapist so that the anxiety may be confronted when it arises.

How Clinicians Learn to Integrate Hypnotic Tactics and Strategies into Psychotherapeutic Interventions

Therapeutic suggestions administered within a hypnotic context can improve the efficacy of psychotherapeutic interventions in dealing with a wide range of clinical problems. Hamburg (2006) illustrates how he overcame both theoretical barriers and tactical issues in treating two clients who presented with fear of dying. His account calls attention to the need to help clinicians make the transition from introductory hypnosis training programs to actually applying hypnotic tactics and strategies in the clinical context. The development of clinical and experimental hypnosis and behavior therapy have influenced each other more profoundly than has generally been acknowledged. Theoretical barriers to the use of hypnosis in behavioral therapies are more apparent than real.

Alert Hypnosis: A Review and Case Report

This review summarizes the use of hypnotic inductions while the subject is physically active, open-eyed and focused on the external environment. Research cited from several sources documents that traditional and alert inductions produce similar hypnotic susceptibility scores, but after an alert induction, subjects may report feeling more alert and in control. A case is reported of a client who was able to use such an induction to stay in alert hypnosis for an extended time, and reduce the long-standing anxiety effects of past failure. Finally, a systematic way is discussed to generate inductions that may expand the use of hypnosis to new applications.

Hypnotically Enhanced Dreaming to Achieve Symptom Reduction: A Case Study of 11 Children and Adolescents

Theories about dreams have shaped our thinking about mind-body unity and the influence of thought on the body. In this article, the authors review the sparse literature regarding the use of hypnosis with children's dreams and nightmares, summarize how hypnotically induced dreams have been used to resolve psychological symptoms, and note five themes in the literature worthy of further investigation. Building on the value of both dreams and hypnosis for working through conflicts, the authors united mind-body medicine and hypnotically induced dreaming in a pediatric pulmonary practice. A case series is presented of 11 patients who were offered an opportunity to review their reported nightmares through hypnosis in order to uncover their potential meaning. The recurrent nightmares among these patients decreased greatly in frequency or resolved following the hypnosis enhanced dream review. Thus, we demonstrate that hypnotically induced dream review may be useful in a pediatric population.

Hypnosis Vs Midazolam Sedation for Colonoscopy: A Preliminary Report

Hypnosis Vs Midazolam Sedation for Colonoscopy: A Preliminary Report Gianluca Bersani, Francesca Baiardi, Angelo Rossi, Giorgio Ricci, Giovanni De Fabritiis, Riccardo Arone Di Bertolino, Vittorio Alvisi Background: Nowadays benzodiazepines are used in most of the colonoscopies; rarely the thecnique of Hypnosis have been used in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Aims: The goal of this study is to assess the efficacy and the safety of the use of Hypnosis compared to Midazolam sedation of patients undergoing Colonscopy in a endoscopy unit. Patients and Methods: Sixty-eight patients were enrolled in this preliminary case control study; sedation with Midazolam was administred in 29 pts and Hypnosis (trance, visualization and relaxation) in 38 patients. The patients of the two groups were matched for sex, age and previous abdominal surgery. Blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and pO2 were reported for all patients before, during (registering the highest value) and after the colonoscopy. One hour after the colonoscopy, each patients completed a questionaire regarding satisfaction of the examination and measured the level of pain felt during the colonoscopy by a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results: Midazolam sedation was administred in 29 patients (17f/12 m; age 61 yrs range 21-82 yrs), versus Hypnosis in 38 patients (20f/18m; age 56 yrs range 29-80 yrs). Patients undergoing colonscopy with Hypnosis reported less pain than patients sedated with midazolam (VAS 2.97 vs VAS 5.48, p ! 0.05). 63% of patients with Hypnosis were satisfied of the examination vs 24% of the patients sedated (p ! 0.05). During the colonoscopy a 17% rise of HR was observed in patients with Hypnosis vs 9% HR rise in patients sedated (p. N.S.). Conclusions: In this preliminary study Hypnosis shows a better profile of safety and efficacy than Midazolam. Furthermore the presumed lower number of complications of Hypnosis support the use of this thecnique in the Endoscopy Unit.

Impact of hypnosis during embryo transfer on the outcome of in vitro fertilization–embryo transfer: a case-control study

To investigate whether hypnosis during ET contributes to successful IVF/ET outcome. Case-control clinical study. Academic Fertility and IVF Unit, Soroka Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel. Infertile couples undergoing IVF. Ninety-eight IVF/ET cycles with hypnosis during the ET procedure were matched with 96 regular IVF/ET cycles. Comparison of clinical pregnancy and implantation rates between the two groups. We obtained 52 clinical pregnancies out of 98 cycles (53.1%) with an implantation rate of 28% among hypnosis IVF/ET cycles, and 29 out of 96 (30.2%) clinical pregnancies and an implantation rate of 14.4% in the control cycles. Our overall IVF program pregnancy rate for the same period was 32.1%. Logistic regression analysis was performed emphasizing the positive contribution of hypnosis to the IVF/ET conception rates. This study suggests that the use of hypnosis during ET may significantly improve the IVF/ET cycle outcome in terms of increased implantation and clinical pregnancy rates. Furthermore, it seems that the patients' attitude to the treatment was more favorable.

Using Hypnosis, Technique Refinement, and Self-Modeling to Enhance Self-Efficacy: A Case Study in Cricket

The present paper reports the impact of hypnosis, technique refinement, and selfmodeling on the self-efficacy levels of a cricket leg-spin bowler. A single-subject (A-B) design was employed with the collection of 8 baseline data points and 16 post-intervention data points that included 8 data points collected 7 months after the intervention. The intervention comprised three aspects. Aspect one focused on using hypnosis and self-hypnosis to increase self-efficacy. Aspect two was based around refining the bowler’s technique, focusing on the run-up, head position, and follow-through. Aspect three focused on self-modeling through the use of an edited videotape. The results revealed a significant difference between pre and post-intervention self-efficacy levels. This positive change was maintained in the long-term follow-up data. Also an increase in bowling performance was noted across the intervention. A number of consultancy issues are presented surrounding the use of hypnosis as part of a multimodal intervention.

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medical Practices in a Pediatric Sickle Cell Population.

There is a substantive body of literature on the use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies among adult populations generally, and chronically ill populations specifically, however less is known about its utilization with sick children. The use of CAM approaches to the treatment of sickle cell (SC)disease and the associated pain crises has focused largely on the use of hypnosis, musculoskeletal manipulations, or relaxation techniques for acute pain relief. The more general use of CAM therapies in the treatment of sickle disease by families is less well surveyed. Numerous studies have found utilization of CAM therapies in up to 70% in both general and sick adult populations, with somewhat lower incidence in pediatric populations. Adults attending sickle cell clinics with their children were asked to participate in structured interviews detailing the use of vitamins and supplements, physical and somatic therapies, and spiritual/holistic therapies, working from a standard list of interventions used in other studies. 47% of the sample regard treatment with CAM therapies as harmless, however the majority of respondents indicated they were aware of the potential for a potential interaction between prescriptive medication and CAM practices. Most believed that CAM therapies were widely used by adults, and both healthy and physically ill children. In this sample, 80% of those sampled reported the use of CAM therapies in the home, but only 53% reported using CAM therapies with the chronically ill child. The most frequently endorsed CAM approaches included prayer (70%), relaxation (55%) and general vitamins (45). Removing prayer as an alternative failed to significantly reduce the incidence of CAM usage with either the family or the physically ill child. Of the various supplements considered in the treatment of SC disease and discussed in the literature, none of the families reported use of Niprisan, one family reported use of aged garlic, two families reported use of Noni Juice, and 17% of the families reported the use of iron supplements for their child with SC. Further research with other chronically ill pediatric populations is underway, with additional data to be gathered on the use of cultural or regional folk remedies, typically not sampled in other CAM surveys.

The use of hypnosis in the treatment of driving phobia

AbstractThe client was a 37‐year‐old married woman with two young daughters working as a community psychiatric nurse who requested assistance with driving difficulties following a number of accidents, and maintained by avoidance behaviour. Assessment indicated that she was currently avoiding driving on any unfamiliar routes and avoiding motorway travel altogether. This avoidance was affecting her professional and personal life and she was keen to see whether the use of hypnotic procedures in conjunction with a behavioural driving programme could help her. Four sessions were undertaken and, although she retained some anxiety, sufficient progress was established for her to make a long distance trip that she has been avoiding for a number of years. Reviewing progress a year later, she reported that residual anxiety had diminished and that progress had continued. Copyright © 2005 British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis

Application of cognitive‐behavioural hypnotic treatment for anxiety management in the Chinese

AbstractThis paper reports a treatment group, including four Chinese participants, run for general anxiety management with the aid of hypnosis, principally derived from the three‐session stress management programme devised by the Hypnosis Unit of University College London. Instead of exploring the deep history in relation to the aetiology of the present problems, this group focussed on intervening in the vicious cognitive‐behavioural‐physiological cycle of anxiety problems. A total of three sessions spread over three weeks was undertaken, including brief assessments of anxiety, psychoeducation of stress and of the use of hypnosis, hypnotic intervention, and counselling. Hypnosis was utilized as an adjunct to counselling, ego‐strengthening, stress management, and in facilitating cognitive restructuring. Both formal assessments and subjective reports reflected a significant improvement in management of stress. On the whole, as measured by the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire, the participants were satisfied and cherished the hypnotherapeutic experience. This paper demonstrates the possible application of hypnosis in the Chinese population as well as the efficacy of hypnosis for anxiety management. Copyright © 2005 British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis

Use of Hypnosis in General Emergency Service

Use of Hypnosis in General Emergency Service

Hypnosis in Human Sexuality Problems

This is a general overview of the use of hypnosis in five aspects of human sexuality where problems or pathology may move patients to seek therapy. These are gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual preferences, sexual functioning and sexual mores. The article emphasizes two main hypnotic techniques that respect the patient's existential experiences regarding his/her own sexuality. The use of hypnosis proposed here is patient-centered, permissive and utilizing the patient's imagery and other inner resources. Several clinical vignettes illustrate the theoretical points with the intention of giving the reader an opportunity for identification with these cases.

SALIENT FINDINGS: A Potentially Groundbreaking Study on the Neuroscience of Hypnotizability, a Critical Review of Hypnosis’ Efficacy, and the Neurophysiology of Conversion Disorder

Three papers of special interest to researchers and clinicians alike have recently appeared in the general scientific and medical literatures. Two of these papers are original research studies that employ brain-imaging technologies, one using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), the other position emission tomography (PET). A third paper is a comprehensive review of the empirical findings on the clinical use of hypnosis in pediatric oncology. The research study using MRI technology is extraordinary, because it is the first to document differences in brain morphology between high hypnotizable and low hypnotizable individuals. Arguably, if its findings replicate, the study could be one of the most important developments in scientific hypnosis since the genesis of the Stanford scales 45 years ago. The PET study notes differences in brain activation during intentionally simulated and hypnotically experienced paralysis. The review article examines empirical work addressing the efficacy of hypnosis for procedural pain in pediatric oncology.