Medical Journal Articles Related to Hypnosis
INTRODUCTION TO HYPNOSIS CLINICAL RESEARCH:
Here's a list of medical journal articles reporting studies done over the years on hypnosis for therapeutic use.
There's a lot of misinformation (both positive and negative) on the Internet about hypnosis, mostly written by folks with little to no knowledge or experience of it, and unfortunately some with specific agendas. We really haven't a deep knowledge of how our mind works, and as you expect the scientific community is suspicious of anything that can't be explained or managed. The fact is, we discover new things each day that blow accepted theories about the "mind-body" connection out of the water. Despite this, many medical school programs now offer alternative therapies - including Hypnosis - in their teaching curriculum.
There are now many enlightened dedicated people working in the medical field who've embraced the research and studies required to raise the practice of hypnosis as an accepted therapeutic treatment complimentary to, or replacement of, other treatments.
Hypnosis isn't a "silver bullet" to solve any problem. Hypnosis doesn't work as a therapy for everybody, and there are no guarantees. This is no different from many medical procedures or treatments that don't work for everybody and for which they're no guarantees. Be wary of any method touting itself as the "magic" solution and offering guarantees as a marketing ploy. Be an intelligent and discerning reader.
The premise of providing this information is to place hypnosis rightfully in the discussion as a compliment to other treatments, or under medical guidance in place of a treatment not working. For example, if you're diagnosed with a health issue then you should certainly follow the medical evidence showing the treatments to help. But some of those treatments can cause difficult side effects to manage, and its been shown by plenty of medical studies cited below that hypnosis can help manage the discomfort and stress of after treatment symptoms. This is also true of after surgery pain where hypnosis is used in hospitals to help with recovery.
My disclaimer for this information, apart from the usual "this is not offering any medical advice" statement, is always do your own research and consult with your primary doctor, or specialist, before adding or changing your course of treatment for a diagnosed health condition.
RESEARCH RESOURCES AND CRITERIA INCLUSION:
A large portion of the article's linked to here come from NCBI which is part of the United States National Library of Medicine, a branch of the National Institutes of Health. The NCBI is located in Bethesda, Maryland and was founded in 1988 through legislation. Be warned these are written by medical professionals and researchers for their peers and so there's a lot of technical jargon! However, you'll be able to see the affiliations of researchers in determining the neutrality of conclusions.
Links to articles at Taylor & Francis Online that publish both articles and studies on specialist subjects.
I've also included a few links to articles on my site that include citations to research and studies.
Some links and citation mentions are to abstracts and require a paid subscription to the full article. However, the abstract usually includes general results and conclusions of the study.
I've attempted to provide research and studies conducted on hypnosis in recent years but some do date back over 30 years, and this is indicative of the way research is generally funded with limited resources.
LINKS TO ARTICLES BY CATEGORY:
WEIGHT LOSS:
Hypnotic Enhancement of Cognitive-Behavioral Weight Loss Treatments--Another Meta-Reanalysis.
Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Weight Loss.
Controlled Trial of Hypnotherapy for Weight Loss in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.
Effectiveness of Hypnosis as an Adjunct to Behavioral Weight Management.
SMOKING CESSATION:
A Multifaceted Hypnosis Smoking-Cessation Program: Enhancing Motivation and Goal Attainment.
Ability of Hypnosis to Facilitate Movement Through Stages of Change for Smoking Cessation.
Hypnosis for Smoking Cessation: A Randomized Trial.
Strategies and Design of Hypnosis Intervention for Tobacco Cessation.
Use of Single Session Hypnosis for Smoking Cessation.
Hypnosis to Quit Smoking: How It Works, Examples & Effectiveness.
PAIN MANAGEMENT:
ANXIETY AND STRESS-RELATED DISORDERS:
The Effect of Hypnosis on Anxiety in Patients With Cancer: A Meta-Analysis.
Hypnosis in the Treatment of Anxiety.
The Effectiveness of Hypnosis Intervention in Alleviating Postpartum Psychological Symptoms.
The Most Beautiful Man: An Integration of Hypnosis and Biofeedback for Depression and Dissociation.
PRE AND POST SURGICAL STRESS INCLUDING DENTAL PHOBIA:
Hypnosis With the Surgical Patient.
Hypnotically Assisted Preparation of the Anxious Patient for Medical and Dental Treatment.
Hypnosis in the Treatment of Dental Fear and Phobia.
Hypnosis and Its Application in Surgery [Full Text in French].
A Controlled Trial on the Effect of Hypnosis on Dental Anxiety in Tooth Removal Patients.
Functional Changes in Brain Activity After Hypnosis in Patients With Dental Phobia.
INSOMNIA AND SLEEP DISORDERS:
Chronic Insomnia: Outcome of Hypnotherapeutic Intervention in Six Cases.
Treatment of Insomnia in Depressed Patients by Hypnosis and Cerebral Electrotherapy.
Hypnotic Relaxation and the Reduction of Sleep Onset Insomnia.
Deepening Sleep by Hypnotic Suggestion.
Improving Sleep and Cognition by Hypnotic Suggestion in the Elderly.
IBS - IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME:
Hypnosis Treatment of Gastrointestinal Disorders: A Comprehensive Review of the Empirical Evidence.
Long term Benefits of Hypnotherapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Hypnosis for IBS - International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders.
Dynamic Hypnosis, IBS, and the Value of Individualizing Treatment: A Clinical Perspective.
What are Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms and Treatments and Can Hypnosis Help?
TRAUMA INCLUDING PTSD:
I hope you find the links and the information provided here useful in your own determination on the use of hypnosis.
Erika Slater CH
Director
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