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Literature Review
Negar Bastanfard
Department of Clinical Psychology, Alliant International University
PSY60140 Qualitative Methods of Research
Dr. Samantha LaMartine Psy.D.
Submission Date
Perceived Therapeutic Benefits of Hypnosis: Literature Review
Hypnosis is a human condition that involves high levels of concentration, focused attention, and enhanced ability to respond to suggestions, and reduced peripheral awareness. Lynn and Green (2020) indicate that an individual under hypnosis only reacts to the hypnotist’s communications intuitively while ignoring other environmental aspects apart from those directed by the hypnotist. Regardless of the actual stimuli present, the hypnotized individual responds to the induced environment and hypnotist’s suggestions. Psychologists are using hypnosis to treat a range of mental disorders, and the results are encouraging. Besides, doctors are also using hypnosis in surgery to reduce patients’ pain after surgical procedures.
According to Sucala (2013) many psychology graduates are optimistic about the success of hypnosis in treatment, as it has positive impacts on medical procedures, such as reducing pain during and after surgical operations. Research by earlier graduates such as Dr. Grant has given the psychology students confidence in hypnosis to treat mental disorders. Their faith in hypnosis has increased their willingness to use it in the treatment of mental disorders. Besides, they are eager to try hypnosis therapy themselves.
Hypnosis is used to correct various disorders, and results are already showing a positive trend in improvements of health conditions. According to Patterson (2003), patients with insomnia can relax and fall asleep more easily through hypnosis. Similarly, people with sleepwalking habits can learn to wake up when their feet hit the floor through hypnosis. Hypnosis works through verbal cues that put the individual in a trance-like state, like when reading a book such that one does not notice what is happening around them.
According to Patterson (2003), using hypnosis to ease anxiety is more effective on people with stress resulting from chronic health conditions such as heart diseases compared to people with a general anxiety disorder. Fisch (2017) asserts that hypnosis also eases phobic anxiety about things that do not pose a significant threat. It stimulates the body to activate its natural relaxation response through phrases or non-verbal cues, slow breathing, instilling a sense of well-being, and lowering blood pressure (Greetham, 2016).
Similarly, hypnosis is useful in reducing pain during surgical procedures. Patients usually experience chronic pain after surgery, migraines, or tension headaches. Greetham (2016) found that people with conditions such as cancer, arthritis, sickle cell disease, fibromyalgia, and those experiencing lower-back pain may experience relief from hypnosis. The use of hypnosis for pain control can be dated centuries back, especially in the Civil War when Army surgeons hypnotized casualties before amputating them. Recent studies have also validated the benefits of hypnosis in surgery. Greetham (2016) notes that research from psychologists such as Montgomery has indicated the effectiveness of hypnosis in pain control. The scholar reveals that hypnosis helps patients reduce their distress and have positive expectations about the surgery outcome. Montgomery used two groups of patients and observed their responses. The group that was treated with hypnosis showed better recovery than those treated without hypnosis.
Further, hypnosis has been used to treat a number of medical conditions including irritable bowl syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, and bloating symptoms (Greethan & Atkins, 2016).. Hypnotherapy creates a feeling of progressive relaxation in patients, providing soothing imagery and sensations to counter the painful effect of these medical conditions (Cite)
Furthermore, Ellkins and Rajab (2004) concluded that hypnosis could help individuals to stop smoking via face to face sessions. Milling (2020) explains that hypnosis works in two ways. First, it helps an individual to find a healthy and effective replacement for smoking. It then guides one’s subconscious towards that habit, like chewing gum or walking. This keeps the mind preoccupied, and the desire for smoking reduces gradually. The second way is by training the mind to consider smoking undesirable and associating smoking with unpleasant things like a foul odor from smoke or a bad taste in your mouth.
Last,despite few documented studies on hypnotherapy’s effectiveness in weight loss, it may be possible to achieve a specific desired percentage of weight loss via hypnosis (Cite). Cochrane and Friesen (1998) indicate that the individuals respond to those suggestions, resulting in behavioral changes such as regular exercises and eating a healthy diet to enhance weight loss. Cochrane and Friesen further indicate that individuals can lose up to 8 pounds for a period of 14 days.
Notably, Sucala (2013) opines that hypnosis apps are gaining popularity for solving various mental health conditions. They advise that one needs to understand the apps properly before using them because some apps have side effects. Besides, Sucala (2013) mentions that psychologists also believe that apps cannot be as efficient as engaging the therapist in person. Personal touch with the therapist creates an enabling environment and yields better results. The psychotherapist can also study the emotions of the patient and prescribe the best therapy. However, some apps may achieve better relaxation but should never substitute psychotherapeutic treatment.
According to Sucala (2010), the Hypnobox app is convenient; its is easy to use and accessible by anyone with a cellphone. Sucala (2010) further indicates that people have more than 500 audio suggestions to choose from, not to mention the ability to personalize the experience by creating tailored sessions, importing their background music, and recording their sessions. There was constant worry among the psychologists about competition from apps that could render some of them jobless. They, therefore, discouraged excessive use of apps to achieve relaxation.
According to Patterson (2003), most psychologists showed interest in expanding their knowledge in the field because they wanted to achieve client satisfaction. They also wanted to learn more about hypnosis apps and fully understand what they can or cannot advise people on what apps to use or avoid. With competition from hypnosis apps and people’s change of preferences such as home-based hypnosis, psychologists want to learn more about hypnosis for better service delivery.
References
Cochrane, G., & Friesen, J. (1986). Hypnotherapy in weight loss treatment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54(4), 489–492. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.54.4.489
Elkins, G. R., & Rajab, M. H. (2004). Clinical hypnosis for smoking cessation: Preliminary results of a three-session intervention. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 52(1), 73-81.
Fisch, S. (2017). Hypnosis in patients with perceived stress – a systematic review. BMC Complement Altern Med 17, 323. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-017-1806-
*Greetham, S & Atkin, S. (2016). Pilot investigation of a virtual gastric band hypnotherapy intervention. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 64(4), 419–433. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2016.1209037
Cochrane, G., & Friesen, J. (1986). Hypnotherapy in weight loss treatment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54(4), 489–492. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.54.4.489
Elkins, G. R., & Rajab, M. H. (2004). Clinical hypnosis for smoking cessation: Preliminary results of a three-session intervention. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 52(1), 73-81.
Fisch, S. (2017). Hypnosis in patients with perceived stress – a systematic review. BMC Complement Altern Med 17, 323. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-017-1806-
Lynn, S. J. & Green, J. P. (2020). Myths and misconceptions about hypnosis and suggestion: Separating fact and fiction. Applied Cognitive Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.3730
Milling, L. (2018). The effectiveness of hypnosis as an intervention for obesity: A meta-analytic review. Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice, 5(1), 29–45. https://doi.org/10.1037/cns0000139.supp
Patterson, D. R., & Jensen, M. P. (2003). Hypnosis and clinical pain. Psychological bulletin, 129(4), 495.
Sucala, M. (2013). Hypnosis—There’s an app for that: A systematic review of hypnosis apps. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 61(4), 463–474.
Step 2: Brief Literature Review (2-3 pages)
Criteria
Points possible
Summary of the literature identifies major themes related to the topic
7/9
The literature review is clear, coherent, and logically written
6/8
Includes a reference list in APA format
3/3
Submission was proofread with no grammatical or APA formatting errors
3/5
TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE:
19/25
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