Evidence Based Therapy

 

 

 

“Evidence-based practice is one of the important global developments in recent years in the helping professions – including medicine, nursing, social work, psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, counselling and other health services”.

For the practicing Clinical Hypnotherapist who utilises Evidence-based Hypontherapy interventions increases the effectiveness of clinical practice far beyond the returns that are possible by employing Hypnotherapy in the traditional mode alone as a complementary therapy.

 

Evidence-based Psychotherapy in which hypnotic trancework tactics play a leading role (such as enhancing CBT) is increasing in both application and recognition with respect to clinical effectiveness. In some countries this has resulted in trancework enhancements to evidence based therapies.

 

The fact that a large percentage of the population in western countries (Australia, Canada, the UK and Ireland quote percentages between 25% and 50%) can expect to suffer a major mental health issue in their lifetime.

 

Support from neuro-science

In recent years advances in imagery (particularly MRI techniques) and other areas of neuro-science (for example the role of mirror neurons in developing rapport) have clearly established the role of neuro-plasticity in the human brain. Neuro-plasticity is the mechanism by which the brain re-organises itself throughout life.

 

The power of neuroplasticity in treating clients suffering mental health and wellbeing disorders lies in the ability of the brain to rewire itself, regardless of age, as a result of new behaviour and new thinking.

 

Evidence-based therapeutic hypnosis provides an ideal context within which to safely facilitate new behaviour and thinking and promote the requisite rewiring by consistent, repetitive rehearsal in trance. Almost daily new understandings of the power of words is revealed by imaging; not only which words are particularly evocative and effective, but also the mechanism and the time-frame involved in neuro-genesis and the establishment of new pathways.

 

Given the misunderstandings of clinical hypnotherapy over the last two centuries it has now become the research tool of choice in modern neuro-science. This research in hypnotic trance is leading to an in-depth understanding of exactly what is possible in the hypnotic trance state. Thus for example, a range of mental phenomena have been studied including thought suppression, perception, pain, memory, “blindness”, assessment of colour, literary and numerical tasks, the production of “hallucinatory material and voluntary control of various body systems.

 

The induced trance state has also been manipulated to develop hypnotic emulations of various psycho-pathological conditions (for example synaesthesia). Modern functional MRI imaging and PET techniques have made it possible to observe the relevant highlighted areas of brain activity associated with particular verbal suggestion and the up and down regulation of brain sub-systems (such as the emotional response of the Amygdala) and the role of “looping” of such systems.

 

It is becoming apparent that the effects observed in the trance state relate to disturbances in the normal communications connectivity between particular brain areas. In particular there seems to be a de-coupling between cognitive control and conflict monitoring in the frontal lobes. Maintaining an induced delusional belief about self and effecting successful behavioural rehearsal, even when presented with conflicting evidence, seems to be a direct example of the latter de-coupling. The common experience of “timelessness” and sometimes detachment from “self” are typical examples of such disturbances. Post trance state memory loss, as a result of a direct suggestion in trance to display amnesia for the suggestion, also appears to be a viable emulation of actual functional amnesia.

 

In addition the relatively common clinical use of trance techniques to manage difficult medical issues such as pain and IBS for which there are referrals readily available, there are now beginning to appear studies relating to some of the other serious issues presenting themselves in clinic. For example post traumatic stress-related memory processes with “flashbacks” and other symptoms of PTSD are now beginning to be suppressed by a process of trance-induced emotional “numbing” which, with suitable suggestions, can be induced without affecting the ability to cognitively recall the memories themselves.

 

There is also now increasing evidence via imaging that the trance experience of an activity seems to create brain states closer to the actual experience of the activity than simply imagining it. This provides validation of the fact that trance experience in the clinic during behavioural rehearsal of new beliefs and behaviour is more effective in terms of eventual live success, than actual live therapeutic procedures which are always contaminated by some finite failure rate. The classic example of this failure is the demonstrably poor respond to ERP (exposure with response prevention) for a great many OCD sufferers. This provides clear support for a vast body of anecdotal clinical hypnotic experience relating to successful behavioural rehearsal.

 

Both hypnotic and meditative trance states (particularly the practice of mindfulness) heighten focussed attention, enhance learning-related discrimination, reduce attention to external stimuli and tend to suppress spontaneous interfering thought. Verbal suggestions within the context of evidence-based therapy (such as correction of maladaptive core beliefs and/or cognitive distortions in CBT) therefore lay an efficient basis for cognitive, affective and behavioural re-education and in so doing offer a pathway towards effective clinical psychotherapy.

 

Evidence-based Practice in Hypno-psychotherapy Clinical Research Review

The April and July editions of the International Journal for Clinical & Experimental Hypnosis (IJCEH) are both Special Issues on ‘Evidence-Based Practice in Clinical Hypnosis.’ In his opening article, guest editor Assen Alladin and colleagues, review the status of hypnotherapy as an evidence-based practice. He reviews a previous Special Issue of IJCEH (2000), edited by Michael R. Nash which had reviewed the empirical support for clinical hypnosis from a different perspective. In this issue, Lynn et al. had concluded that hypnosis was an empirically “well-established” treatment for pain. Schoenberger carried out an analysis of the additive value of hypnosis when combined with CBT and replicated the earlier finding of Kirsch et al. (1995) that cognitive-behaviour al hypnotherapy had a larger average effect size than CBT alone. Green & Lynne reviewed the research on hypnotherapy for smoking cessation and concluded that the status of hypnotherapy in this area was difficult to establish because it seemed to depend primarily upon the integration of cognitive and behavioural interventions. Cardena found that hypnosis for PTSD was an area where little research existed, despite the fact that many clinicians and researchers see this as a credible application.

The following abstracts summarise the articles published in the two Special Issues on Evidence-Based Practice in Clinical Hypnosis published in 2007.

What we Ought to Mean by Empirical Validation in Hypnotherapy: Evidence-Based Practice in Clinical Hypnosis
Assen Alladin, Linda Sabatini, and Jon K. Amundson
(IJCEH, Vol. 55, No. 2, April 2007)

Abstract: This paper briefly surveys the trend of and controversy surrounding empirical validation in psychotherapy. Empirical validation of hypnotherapy has paralleled the practice of validation in psychotherapy and the professionalization of clinical psychology, in general. This evolution in determining what counts as evidence for bona fide clinical practice has gone from theory-driven clinical approaches in the 1960s and ‘70s through critical attempts at categorization of empirically supported therapies in the ‘90s on to the concept of evidence-based practice in 2006. Implications of this progression in professional psychology are discussed in the light of hypnosis’ current quest for validation and empirical accreditation.

Cognitive Hypnotherapy for Depression: An Empirical Investigation
Assen Alladin and Alisha Alibhai
(IJCEH, Vol. 55, No. 2, April 2007)

Abstract: To investigate the effectiveness of cognitive hypnotherapy (CH), hypnosis combined with cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), on depression, 84 depressives were randomly assigned to 16 weeks of treatment of either CH or CBT alone. At the end of treatment, patients from both groups significantly improved compared to baseline scores. However, the CH group produced significantly larger changes in Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Beck Hopelessness Scale. Effect size calculations showed that the CH group produced 6%, 5%, and 8% greater reduction in depression, anxiety, and hopelessness, respectively, over and above the CBT group. The effect size was maintained at 6-month and 12-month follow-ups. This study represents the first controlled comparison of hypnotherapy with a well-established psychotherapy for depression, meeting the APA criteria for a “probably efficacious” treatment for depression.

Review of the Efficacy of Clinical Hypnosis with Headaches and Migraines
D. Corydon Hammond
(IJCEH, Vol. 55, No. 2, April 2007)

Abstract: The 12-member National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Panel on Integration of Behavioral and Relaxation Approaches into the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Insomnia (1996) reviewed outcome studies on hypnosis with cancer pain and concluded that research evidence was strong and that other evidence suggested hypnosis may be effective with some chronic pain, including tension headaches. This paper provides an updated review of the literature on the effectiveness of hypnosis in the treatment of headaches and migraines, concluding that it meets the clinical psychology research criteria for being a well-established and efficacious treatment and is virtually free of the side effects, risks of adverse reactions, and ongoing expense associated with medication treatments.

Evidence-Based Hypnotherapy for Asthma: A Critical Review
Daniel Brown
(IJCEH, Vol. 55, No. 2, April 2007)

Abstract: Asthma is a chronic disease with intermittent acute exacerbations, characterized by obstructed airways, hyperresponsiveness , and sometimes by chronic airway inflammation. Critically reviewing evidence primarily from controlled outcome studies on hypnosis for asthma shows that hypnosis is possibly efficacious for treatment of symptom severity and illness-related behaviors and is efficacious for managing emotional states that exacerbate airway obstruction. Hypnosis is also possibly efficacious for decreasing airway obstruction and stabilizing airway hyperresponsiveness in some individuals, but there is insufficient evidence that hypnosis affects asthma’s inflammatory process. Promising research needs to be replicated with larger samples and better designs with careful attention paid to the types of hypnotic suggestions given. The critical issue is not so much whether it is used but how it is used. Future outcome research must address the relative contribution of expectancies, hypnotizability, hypnotic induction, and specific suggestions.

The Efficacy of Hypnotherapy in the Treatment of Psychosomatic Disorders: Meta-Analytical Evidence
Erich Flammer and Assen Alladin
(IJCEH, Vol. 55, No. 3, July 2007)

Abstract: Hypnotherapy is claimed to be effective in treatment of psychosomatic
disorders. A meta-analysis was conducted with 21 randomized controlled clinical studies to evaluate efficacy of hypnosis in psychosomatic disorders. Studies compared patients exclusively treated with hypnotherapy to untreated controls. Studies providing adjunctive standard medical care in either treatment condition were also admitted. Hypnotherapy was categorized into classic (n = 9), mixed form (n = 5), and modern (n = 3). Results showed the weighted mean effect size for 21 studies was d+ = .61 (p = .0000). ANOVA revealed significant differences between classic, mixed, and modern hypnosis. Regression of outcome on treatment dose failed to show a significant relationship. Numerical values for correlation between suggestibility and outcome were only reported in 3 studies (mean r = .31). The meta-analysis clearly indicates hypnotherapy is highly effective in treatment of psychosomatic disorders.

Hypnotherapy in the Management of Chronic Pain
Gary Elkins, Mark Jensen, and David Patterson
(IJCEH, Vol. 55, No. 3, July 2007)

Abstract: This article reviews controlled prospective trials of hypnosis for the treatment of chronic pain. Thirteen studies, excluding studies of headaches, were identified that compared outcomes from hypnosis for the treatment of chronic pain to either baseline data or a control condition. The findings indicate that hypnosis interventions consistently produce significant decreases in pain associated with a variety of chronic pain problems. Also, hypnosis was generally found to be more effective than nonhypnotic interventions such as attention, physical therapy, and education. Most of the hypnosis interventions for chronic pain include instructions in self-hypnosis. However, there is a lack of standardization of the hypnotic interventions examined in clinical trials, and the number of patients enrolled in the studies has tended to be low and lacking long-term follow-up. Implications of the findings for future clinical research and applications are discussed.

Hypnosis for Acute Distress Management During Medical Procedures
Nicole Flory, Gloria M. Martinez Salazar, and Elvira V. Lang
(IJCEH, Vol. 55, No. 3, July 2007)

Abstract: The use of hypnosis during medical procedures has a long-standing tradition but has been struggling for acceptance into the mainstream. In recent years, several randomized-controll ed trials with sufficient participant numbers have demonstrated the efficacy of hypnosis in the peri-operative domain. With the advancements of minimally invasive high-tech procedures during which the patient remains conscious, hypnotic adjuncts have found many applications. This article describes the procedural environment as well as pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions to reduce distress. Current research findings, controversies in the literature, and safety considerations are reviewed. Implications for clinical practice and training as well as directions for future research are discussed. Obstacles and possible reasons for the slow acceptance of nonpharmacologic interventions, mind-body therapies, and patient-centered approaches are addressed.

Hypnosis Efficacy in the Treatment of Eating Disorders
Marianne Barabasz
(IJCEH, Vol. 55, No. 3, July 2007)

Abstract: Research on the efficacy of hypnosis in the treatment of eating disorders has produced mixed findings. This is due in part to the interplay between the characteristics of people with eating disorders and the phenomena of hypnosis. In addition, several authors have noted that methodological limitations in hypnosis research often make evaluation of treatment efficacy difficult. Many of the studies extant provide insufficient information regarding the specifics of the hypnotic intervention( s) to facilitate replication and clinical implementation. Therefore, this paper only reviews literature with replicable methodological descriptions. It focuses on the 3 primary disorders of interest to clinicians: bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and obesity. The implications for evaluating treatment efficacy are discussed.

Effectiveness of Hypnotherapy with Cancer Patients’ Treatment Trajectory: Emesis, Acute Pain, Analgesia, and Anxiolysis in Procedures
Sylvain Neron and Randolph Stephenson
(IJCEH, Vol. 55, No. 3, July 2007)

Abstract: Clinical hypnosis in cancer settings provides symptom reduction (pain and anxiety) and empowers patients to take an active role in their treatments and procedures. The goal of this paper is to systematically and critically review evidence on the effectiveness of hypnotherapy for emesis, analgesia, and anxiolysis in acute pain, specifically in procedures with an emphasis on the period from 1999 to 2006. Further, it aims to provide a theoretical rationale for the use of hypnosis with cancer populations in the whole spectrum of illness/treatment trajectory in several clinical contexts. Finally, a treatment protocol for management of overt anxiety and phobic reactions in the radiotherapy suite is presented, with the intent of having such a protocol empirically validated in the future.

Evidence-Based Clinical Hypnosis in Obstetrics, Labor and Deliver, and Preterm Labor
Donald Brown and D. Corydon Hammond
(IJCEH, Vol. 55, No. 3, July 2007)

Abstract: This paper reviews the benefits and effectiveness of hypnosis in obstetrics and labor and delivery, demonstrating significant reductions in the use of analgesics and anesthesia and in shorter Stages 1 and 2 labors. It presents empirical and theoretical rationales for use of hypnosis in preterm labor (PTL) and labor and delivery at term. The benefits of hypnosis in relation to labor length, pain levels, and the enjoyment of labor, as well as its effectiveness in preterm labor are noted in randomized controlled trials and in a meta-analysis. Risk factors are reported for preterm delivery; hypnosis significantly prolongs pregnancy. Six cases are presented of hypnosis stopping PTL a number of times and when indicated at term. A case report of successful use of hypnosis in quadruplets is presented with some scripts. Suggestions are made for further research.

Cognitive Behavioral Hypnotherapy in the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome–Induced Agoraphobia
William L. Golden
(IJCEH, Vol. 55, No. 2, April 2007)

Abstract: There are a number of clinical reports and a body of research on the effectiveness of hypnotherapy in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Likewise, there exists research demonstrating the efficacy of cognitive-behaviora l therapy (CBT) in the treatment of IBS. However, there is little written about the integration of CBT and hypnotherapy in the treatment of IBS and a lack of clinical information about IBS-induced agoraphobia. This paper describes the etiology and treatment of IBS-induced agoraphobia. Cognitive, behavioral, and hypnotherapeutic techniques are integrated to provide an effective cognitive-behaviora l hypnotherapy (CBH) treatment for IBS-induced agoraphobia. This CBH approach for treating IBS-induced agoraphobia is described and clinical data are reported.

Hypnosis and the Treatment of Posttraumatic Conditions: An Evidence-Based Approach
Steven Jay Lynn and Etzel Cardeña
(IJCEH, Vol. 55, No. 2, April 2007)

Abstract: 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-behaviora l and exposure-based interventions, which have the greatest empirical support, are highlighted, and an illustrative case study is presented.

Evidence-Based Hypnotherapy for the Management of Sleep Disorders
Gina Graci and John C. Hardie
(IJCEH, Vol. 55, No. 3, July 2007)

Abstract: There is a plethora of research suggesting that combining cognitive-behaviora l therapy with hypnosis is effective for a variety of psychological, behavioral, and medical disorders. Yet, very little empirical research exists pertaining to the use of hypnotherapy as either a single or multi-treatment modality for the management of sleep disorders. The existing literature is limited to a small subset of nonbiologic sleep disorders. The objectives of this paper are: to provide a review of the most common sleep disorders, with emphasis on insomnia disorders; discuss the cognitive-behaviora l approaches to insomnia; and review the existing empirical literature on applications of hypnotherapy in the treatment of sleep disturbance. The overreaching goal is to educate clinicians on how to incorporate sleep therapy with hypnotherapy. There is an immediate need for research evaluating the efficacy of hypnotherapy in the management of sleep disturbance.

 

 

Research on hypnosis to quit smoking

Summary

90.6% Success Rate Using Hypnosis

Of 43 consecutive patients undergoing this treatment protocol, 39 reported remaining abstinent at follow-up (6 months to 3 years post treatment). This represents a 90.6% success rate using hypnosis.

Reference

University of Washington School of Medicine

Depts. Of Anaesthesiology and Rehabilitation Medicine, Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2001 Jul; 49(3); 257-66. Barber J.

Freedom from smoking; integrating hypnotic methods and rapid smoking to facilitate smoking cessation.

Summary

95% Success Rate Using Hypnosis With NLP

A comparison of hypnosis to quit smoking a hypnosis combined with NLP reported a 95% success rate using hypnosis combined with NLP and 51% using hypnosis alone.

Reference

Smoke free internationals proprietary method

Smoke Free International

http://www.smokefreeinternational.comreport.php

Summary

90% Success Rate With Hypnosis

Authors report a success rate in smoking abstinence of over 90% with hypnosis.

Reference

MMW Fortschr. Med. 2004 May 13; 146(20):16.

Klager, R.

[Article in German]

PMID: 15344725[PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

 

 

Summary

87% Reported Abstinence Using Hypnosis

A field study of 93 male and 93 female CMHC outpatients examined the facilitation of smoking cessation by using hypnosis. At 3-mo, follow-up, 86% of the men and 87% of the women reported continued abstinence using hypnosis.

Reference

Performance by gender in a stop smoking program combining hypnosis and aversion

Johnson DL, Karkut RT.

Adkar Associates, Inc., Bloomington, Indiana.

Psychol Rep. 1994 Oct; 75(2):851-7.

PMID: 7862796 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

Summary

81% Reported They Had Stopped Smoking

Thirty smokers enrolled in an HMO were referred by their primary physician for treatment. Twenty one patients returned after an initial consultation and received hypnosis for smoking cessation. At the end of treatment, 81% of those patients reported that they had stopped smoking, and 48% reported abstinence at 12 months post-treatment.

Reference

Texas A&M University

System Health Science Center College of Medicine, USA.

Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2004 Jan; 52(1):73-81.

Clinical hypnosis for smoking cessation: preliminary results of a three-session intervention.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary

Hypnosis Patients Twice As Likely To Quit

Study of 71 smokers showed that after a two year follow up; patients that quit with hypnosis were twice as likely to still be smoke free than those who quit on their own.

Reference

Guided health imagery for smoking cessation and long term abstinence.

Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 2005; 37:3, pages 245 – 250

 

Summary

More Effective Than Drug Interventions

Group hypnosis, evaluated at a less effective success rate than individual hypnosis (at 22%). However, still demonstrated here as more effective than drug interventions.

Reference

Ohio State University

College of Nursing, Columbus 43210, USA

Descriptive outcomes of the American Lung Association of Ohio hypnotherapy smoking cessation program.

Ahijevych K, Yeradi R, Nedilsky N.

Summary

Hypnosis Most Effective Says Largest Study Ever: 3 Times Effectiveness Of Patch And 15 Times Willpower.

Hypnosis is the most effective way of giving up smoking, according to the largest ever scientific comparison of ways of breaking the habit. A meta-analysis, statistically combining results of more than 600 studies of 72,000 people from America and Europe to compare carious methods of quitting. On average – hypnosis was over three times as effective as nicotine replacement methods and 15 times as effective as trying to quit alone.

Reference

University of Iowa – Journal of Applied Psychology

How one in five give up smoking – October 1992.

(Also in New Scientist October 10, 1992)                Schmidt, Chockalingarn.

 

 

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