Hypnosis - The Mainstream Medical Perspective
The Better Health Channel, a public service fully funded by the Victorian government, summarizes years of research finding to conclude that hypnosis may be effective in treating a long list of disorders:
They go on to say:
"Today, hypnosis is recognised by the scientific community as an effective healing tool".
For a detailed summary of the research on the effectiveness of hypnotherapy in addressing a wide range range of psychological and medical issues click here.
"Today, hypnosis is recognised by the scientific community as an effective healing tool".
For a detailed summary of the research on the effectiveness of hypnotherapy in addressing a wide range range of psychological and medical issues click here.
Hypnosis and Standard Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Hypnosis as an Adjunct to Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy:
A Meta-Analysis
Irving Kirsch, Guy Montgomery, and Guy Sapirstein
University of Connecticut
Abstract:
A meta-analysis was performed on 18 studies in which a cognitive-behavioral therapy was compared with the same therapy supplemented by hypnosis. The results indicated that the addition of hypnosis substantially enhanced treatment outcome, so that the average client receiving cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy showed greater improvement than at least 70% of clients receiving nonhypnotic treatment.
Effects seemed particularly pronounced for treatments of obesity, especially at long-term follow-up, indicating that unlike those in nonhypnotic treatment, clients to whom hypnotic inductions had been administered continued to lose weight after treatment ended. These results were particularly striking because of the few procedural differences between the hypnotic and nonhypnotic
treatments.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
1995, Vol.63, No. 2,214-220
A Meta-Analysis
Irving Kirsch, Guy Montgomery, and Guy Sapirstein
University of Connecticut
Abstract:
A meta-analysis was performed on 18 studies in which a cognitive-behavioral therapy was compared with the same therapy supplemented by hypnosis. The results indicated that the addition of hypnosis substantially enhanced treatment outcome, so that the average client receiving cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy showed greater improvement than at least 70% of clients receiving nonhypnotic treatment.
Effects seemed particularly pronounced for treatments of obesity, especially at long-term follow-up, indicating that unlike those in nonhypnotic treatment, clients to whom hypnotic inductions had been administered continued to lose weight after treatment ended. These results were particularly striking because of the few procedural differences between the hypnotic and nonhypnotic
treatments.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
1995, Vol.63, No. 2,214-220
Hypnosis and Surgical Outcomes
The Effectiveness of Adjunctive Hypnosis with Surgical Patients: A Meta-Analysis
Guy H. Montgomery, PhD*, Daniel David, PhD*, Gary Winkel, PhD*,
Jeffrey H. Silverstein, MD†, and Dana H. Bovbjerg, PhD*
*Biobehavioral Medicine Program, Cancer Prevention and Control, Derald H. Ruttenberg Cancer Center and †Department
of Anesthesiology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York
Guy H. Montgomery, PhD*, Daniel David, PhD*, Gary Winkel, PhD*,
Jeffrey H. Silverstein, MD†, and Dana H. Bovbjerg, PhD*
*Biobehavioral Medicine Program, Cancer Prevention and Control, Derald H. Ruttenberg Cancer Center and †Department
of Anesthesiology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York
|
Abstract:
Hypnosis is a nonpharmacologic means for managing adverse surgical side effects. Typically, reviews of the hypnosis literature have been narrative in nature, focused on specific outcome domains (e.g., patients’ selfreported pain), and rarely address the impact of different modes of the hypnosis administration. Therefore, it is important to take a quantitative approach to assessing the beneficial impact of adjunctive hypnosis for surgical patients, as well as to examine whether the beneficial impact of hypnosis goes beyond patients’ pain and method of the administration. We conducted metaanalyses of published controlled studies (n 20) that used hypnosis with surgical patients to determine: 1) overall, whether hypnosis has a significant beneficial impact, 2) whether there are outcomes for which hypnosis is relatively more effective, and 3) whether the method of hypnotic induction (live versus audiotape) affects hypnosis efficacy. |
Our results revealed a significant effect size (D 1.20), indicating that surgical patients in hypnosis treatment groups had better outcomes than 89% of patients in control groups. No significant differences were found between clinical outcome categories or between methods of the induction of hypnosis. These results support the position that hypnosis is an effective adjunctive procedure for a wide variety of surgical patients. (Anesth Analg 2002;94:1639 –45)©2002 by the International Anesthesia Research Society |
Hemi-Sync (A Supportive Technology)
This is one technology I use with some hypnotherapy clients to assist in establishing deeper hypnotic/meditative states. Sound patterns have been shown to influence brain waves and thereby influence states of consciousness.
Excerpted from Wikipedia (January 2014):
Hemi-Sync is a trademarked brand name for a patented process used to create audio patterns containing binaural beats, which are commercialized in the form of audio CDs. Interstate Industries Inc., created by Hemi-Sync founder Robert Monroe, is the owner of the Hemi-Sync technology.
Hemi-Sync is short for Hemispheric Synchronization, also known as brainwave synchronization. Monroe indicated that the technique synchronizes the two hemispheres of one's brain, thereby creating a 'frequency-following response' designed to evoke certain effects. Hemi-Sync has been used for many purposes, including relaxation and sleep induction, learning and memory aids, helping those with physical and mental difficulties, and reaching altered states of consciousness through the use of sound.
The technique involves using sound waves to entrain brain waves. Replicated, double-blind, randomized trials on anesthetized patients have found Hemi-Sync effective as a partial replacement for fentanyl (a potent opioid analgesic) during surgery.
Excerpted from Wikipedia (January 2014):
Hemi-Sync is a trademarked brand name for a patented process used to create audio patterns containing binaural beats, which are commercialized in the form of audio CDs. Interstate Industries Inc., created by Hemi-Sync founder Robert Monroe, is the owner of the Hemi-Sync technology.
Hemi-Sync is short for Hemispheric Synchronization, also known as brainwave synchronization. Monroe indicated that the technique synchronizes the two hemispheres of one's brain, thereby creating a 'frequency-following response' designed to evoke certain effects. Hemi-Sync has been used for many purposes, including relaxation and sleep induction, learning and memory aids, helping those with physical and mental difficulties, and reaching altered states of consciousness through the use of sound.
The technique involves using sound waves to entrain brain waves. Replicated, double-blind, randomized trials on anesthetized patients have found Hemi-Sync effective as a partial replacement for fentanyl (a potent opioid analgesic) during surgery.
