Hypnosis Works!

https://fammedarchives.blob.core.windows.net/imagesandpdfs/fmhub/fm2010/February/  Susan85.pdf  

Results: Six out of the eight residents who completed the hypnosis program reported that it reduced stress, was relaxing, and they enjoyed participating in the program. Five  reported a reduction in test-taking anxiety, and three felt it improved test scores.  Residents did report a high level of satisfaction with hypnosis.  

Notes: This was a randomized controlled clinical trial involving 16 family medicine residents. Eight were randomly selected for virtual hypnosis (a software program designed to simulate hypnosis sessions – and emphasizing a positive self-regard and confidence in test taking) and eight for usual exam preparation.  

Family Medicine, February 2010, Vol. 42, No. 2, p. 85  By: Susan Graham, MSW, Anthony N. Vettraino, Jr, MD, Family Medicine Residency, Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, Brighton, Michigan & Raouf Seifeldin, MD Family Medicine Residency, Doctors’ Hospital of Michigan, Bonita Singal, MD, PhD Saint Joseph Mercy Health System  

Hypnotherapy and test anxiety: Two cognitive-behavioral constructs: The effects of hypnosis in reducing test anxiety and improving academic achievement in college students.

https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1992-24581-001  

Results: There was a decrease in test anxiety and improvements in achievement for the hypnosis group. The treatment gains were maintained at 6-wk follow-up.  

Notes: Investigated the effects of cognitive-behavioral hypnosis in reducing test anxiety and improving academic performance. 44 introductory psychology students received 4 sessions of hypnosis and 50 Hawthorne controls received no treatment over the same time period. Subjects’ midterm test grades and scores on the Test Anxiety Inventory were examined. 

Australian Journal of Clinical Hypnotherapy and Hypnosis, Vol 12(1), Mar 1991, 25-31 By: Marty Sapp, Professor, Department of Educational Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. 

Self-hypnosis and exam stress: comparing immune and relaxation-related imagery for influences on immunity, health and mood. 

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ch.221  

Results: Medical students receiving self-hypnosis training and immune-related imagery reported fewer viral illnesses, such as colds and influenza, during the exam period.  Immune-related imagery was also more successful than relaxation imagery in buffering decline in total lymphocytes and subsets. Independent of instructions, hypnosis buffered the decline in CD8 cytotoxic T-cells observed in control subjects.  

Notes: The effects of self-hypnosis training on immune function, mood and health at exam time in medical schools were examined, comparing instructions of enhanced immune function with relaxation, whereas instructions of increased energy, alertness, concentration and happiness were common to both procedures. Training consisted of three weekly group sessions, with unrestricted home practice with an audiocassette.  Immune assays involved CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19 lymphocytes, CD56 natural killer (NK) cells and blood cortisol.  

Contemporary Hypnosis, Volume 18, Issue 2, pages 73-86, June 2001 By: Professor John Gruzelier*, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience and Behaviour, Imperial College School of Medicine, London, UK Jonathon Levy, John Williams, Don Henderson  

Stress Reducing Regulative Effects of Integrated Mental Training with Self-Hypnosis on the Secretion of Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA-S) and Cortisol in Plasma: A Pilot Study   

http://www.foundationforpositivementalhealth.com/wp content/uploads/2012/04/contemporary-hypnosis-stress-reducing-DHEA-2006.pdf 

Results: At the end of the study it was shown that the hypnosis group had increased their DHEA-S levels by 16% and reduced their cortisol levels by 12.3% when compared to the control group. It was also noted that those in the hypnosis group now had DHEA S levels equivalent to someone who was 5 to 10 years younger. The authors conclude that frequent application of a self-hypnosis program several days a week was successful in changing the adrenal secretion of DHEA-S and cortisol – and can have a beneficial effect on stress reduction, emotional stability, performance and health outcomes.  

Notes: This study looked at whether or not self-hypnosis could be used to lower the stress-related hormone cortisol and raise the anti-aging hormone dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S). Twelve healthy subjects were recruited and randomly assigned to a control and a self-hypnosis group. Those in the self-hypnosis group were brought together and taught self-hypnosis and mental training to reduce cortisol levels and increase DHEA-S. They were then asked to integrate these techniques into their daily life for the next six-months. The study authors note that: (a)  the most important and quantitative dominating stress hormone in the body is the  adrenal hormone cortisol; (b) DHEA-S has been considered as a marker for biological  aging; (c) falling concentrations of DHEA-S have been observed in both mental and  psychological stress and physical illness; (d) low concentrations of DHEA-S in blood  have been correlated with many age-related diseases; (e) increased plasma DHEA-S  has been connected with a reduction in age-related diseases and alleviated chronic  stress-load. Participants in the self-hypnosis group were taught basic relaxation and  self-hypnosis techniques.  

Contemporary Hypnosis, May 2006, Vol. 23(3):101-11024  By: Johansson B, Uneståhl LE. 1 Scandinavian International University, Sweden, 2 Örebro University,  Sweden  

Imagery for Sports Performance: A Comprehensive Literature Review  

http://cardinalscholar.bsu.edu/bitstream/handle/123456789/193355/AbdinJ_2010 3_BODY.pdf  

Results: There exists ample evidence that mental imagery has the potential to improve sports motor performance. Extensive experiential and observational research have led to the development of applied models in the field of sport psychology which seek to highlight some of the key components required to ensure its effective implementation. This paper reviews theories and applied models that have been well documented in the literature and is supported in its validity. Furthermore, research is reviewed examining the efficacy of mental imagery interventions within sports performance with an emphasis on (a) uses of imagery, and (b) factors affecting imagery. Discussion is aimed to accentuate the significance of implementing the most appropriate imagery interventions.  

Notes: The author reviews the studies and evidence supporting the use of sports guided imagery for: motivation, confidence, skill learning, performance, strategies, problem solving, pain management, rehabilitation, practice, and pre-competition use.  The author also explores factors that can affect how useful imagery is. And the author discusses various types of imagery. For example: auditory imagery can refer to hearing the swish of the nets in basketball or the crisp sound of a perfect golf drive. Olfactory refers to smell such as a swimmer smelling chlorine in the pool. Tactile is the sensation of touch, such as feeling the grip of a baseball bat or the laces of a football. Kinesthetic sense is the feel or sensation of the body as it moves in different positions. The  kinesthetic sense would be important for a gymnast using imagery to practice a balance  beam routine or a diver using imagery to feel the rotations before reaching the water.  

July 2010  By: Junayd M. Abdin, Ball State University, Indiana (Research Paper Submitted to the Graduate School) 

Hypnotic tape intervention ameliorates stress: a randomized, control study.  

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23427838/  

Results: The results show that, as compared with baseline and wait-list conditions, the hypnotic intervention had a medium-to-large beneficial effect on participants’ experience of stress, burnout, and well-being. Some participants also decreased their use of the coping strategy escape-avoidance postintervention.  

Notes: This study (N?=?35) used a randomized control design, and participants were collected from a variety of groups. After evaluating their degree of stress and burnout, coping styles, general well-being, and hypnotizability, participants were matched by stress level and randomly assigned to an intervention or wait-list group. The intervention comprised an audio recording of a hypnotic induction accompanied by suggestions for progressive relaxation, imagery, and anchoring to be used for 2 weeks.  

Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2013 Apr;61(2):125-45  By: E. Cardeña, C. Svensson, F. Hejdström, Department of Psychology, Center for Research on Consciousness and Anomalous Psychology, Lund University, P.O. Box 213 SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden