The Effect Of Hypnosis As Supportive Or Primary Psychotherapeutic Intervention In Some Psychosomatic Conditions

Authors

  • Shabbir Hussain Saifuddin
  • Reena Singh

Keywords:

Hypnosis, Hypnotherapy, Psychosomatic Disorders, Stress Reduction, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Psychotherapy, Emotional Regulation, Neurophysiological Mechanisms, Psychological Well-being

Abstract


Psychosomatic diseases, where psychological factors play a significant role in physical well- being, remain a significant global health problem and are frequently underpinned by emotional dysregulation and chronic stress. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), two established forms of psychotherapy, have demonstrated their value in the management of disease-related to stress; however, hypnosis's clinical application remains somewhat under-exploited and less researched. The role of hypnosis as a primary or adjunct psychotherapy intervention for psychosomatic diseases is to be systematically examined in this study. Six significant scholarly databases from which this study derives its findings from literature between 2000 and 2024 through a Systematic Literature research (SLR) method are PubMed, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Scopus, and Google Scholar. This research analyzes 56 peer-reviewed articles that explore the clinical outcomes, psychological benefits, therapeutic techniques, and mechanisms of hypnotherapy. As per the study, hypnosis influences neurophysiological, cognitive, and autonomic processes to alleviate symptoms, enhance emotional resilience, and decrease stress. Techniques of common hypnotic practice, such as ego-strengthening, self-hypnosis, posthypnotic suggestion, and guided imagery, have been found to promote emotional control, reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms, and improve the overall psychological well-being of patients. In addition, hypnosis is a popular, non-invasive, and safe treatment with minimal side effects and wide extension to a wide range of patient conditions. The study does identify a number of key challenges, though, including the lack of formal treatment protocols, differences in methodological design, and the ongoing stigma surrounding hypnotherapy. Large randomised controlled trials, the integration of hypnotherapy with standard therapy, and further research into the brain mechanisms of hypnosis are all high priorities for future research. The therapeutic applications of hypnosis in psychosomatic treatment are emphasized here, and a case is also presented for its increased incorporation into present-day psychotherapeutic practice.. .

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

1. T. Stächele, M. Heinrichs, and G. Domes, Ratgeber Stress und Stressbewältigung: Informationen für Betroffene und Angehörige, vol. 43. Hogrefe Verlag GmbH & Company KG, 2020.

2. N. B. Anderson et al., “Stress in America: Our health at risk,” Washington, DC Am. Psychol. Assoc., 2012.

3. H. Selye, “Stress and the general adaptation syndrome,” Br. Med. J., vol. 1, no. 4667, p. 1383, 1950.

4. H. S. Jung and H. H. Yoon, “Why is employees’ emotional intelligence important?: The effects of EI on stress-coping styles and job satisfaction in the hospitality industry,” Int. J. Contemp. Hosp. Manag., vol. 28, no. 8, pp. 1649–1675, 2016, doi: 10.1108/IJCHM- 10-2014-0509.

5. G. R. Elkins, A. F. Barabasz, J. R. Council, and D. Spiegel, “Advancing research and practice: The revised APA Division 30 definition of hypnosis,” Am. J. Clin. Hypn., vol. 57, no. 4, pp. 378–385, 2015.

6. M. De Vibe et al., “Mindfulness training for stress management: a randomised controlled study of medical and psychology students,” BMC Med. Educ., vol. 13, pp. 1– 11, 2013.

7. D. Bazarko, R. A. Cate, F. Azocar, and M. J. Kreitzer, “The impact of an innovative mindfulness-based stress reduction program on the health and well-being of nurses employed in a corporate setting,” J. Workplace Behav. Health, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 107– 133, 2013.

8. T. J. Morledge et al., “Feasibility of an online mindfulness program for stress management—a randomized, controlled trial,” Ann. Behav. Med., vol. 46, no. 2, pp. 137–148, 2013.

9. S. Fisch, B. Brinkhaus, and M. Teut, “Hypnosis in patients with perceived stress–a systematic review,” BMC Complement. Altern. Med., vol. 17, pp. 1–12, 2017.

10. D. Meichenbaum, “Intervention bei stress,” Anwendung und Wirkung des Stress., vol. 3, 2012.

11. H. Wienold, “Arbeitslosigkeit, riskanter Alkoholkonsum und alkoholbezogene Verhaltensprobleme: eine Längsschnittstudie bei Metallarbeitern”.

12. K. Reschke, “Optimistic management of stress in retirement age: an example of long life learning,” Psychol. Issues Educ. Heal., pp. 41–61.

13. S. Fisch et al., “Group hypnosis for stress reduction and improved stress coping: a multicenter randomized controlled trial,” BMC Complement. Med. Ther., vol. 20, pp. 1– 14, 2020.

14. B. M. Alman and P. Lambrou, Self-hypnosis: the complete manual for health and self- change. Routledge, 2013.

15. R. Zeyer, Hypnotherapeutische Strategien bei akutem und chronischem Stress. Carl- Auer Verlag, 2022.

16. D. Revenstorf and R. Zeyer, Hypnose lernen: Leistungssteigerung und Stressbewältigung durch Selbsthypnose. Carl-Auer-Systeme, Verlag und Verlag- Buchh., 1997.

17. D. H. Barlow, Clinical handbook of psychological disorders: A step-by-step treatment manual. Guilford publications, 2021.

18. A. Carr, “The effectiveness of family therapy and systemic interventions for child‐ focused problems,” J. Fam. Ther., vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 3–45, 2009.

19. S. Eldar, N. M. Esser, and S. G. Hofmann, “Cognitive-behavioral therapy to promote self-management.,” 2018.

20. J. C. Norcross and B. E. Wampold, “Evidence-based psychotherapy responsiveness: The third task force,” Psychother. relationships that Work, vol. 2, pp. 1–14, 2019.

21. M. S. Karver, A. S. De Nadai, M. Monahan, and S. R. Shirk, “Meta-analysis of the prospective relation between alliance and outcome in child and adolescent psychotherapy.,” Psychotherapy, vol. 55, no. 4, p. 341, 2018.

22. J. C. Norcross and M. J. Lambert, “Psychotherapy relationships that work III.,” Psychotherapy, vol. 55, no. 4, p. 303, 2018.

23. F. Abbasi, K. Shariati, and F. Tajikzadeh, “Comparison of the cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR): reducing anxiety symptoms,” Women’s Heal. Bull., vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 1–5, 2018.

24. E. S. Goldsmith et al., “Evaluation of implementation strategies for cognitive behavioral therapy (Cbt), acceptance and commitment therapy (act), and mindfulness-based stress reduction (Mbsr): a systematic review,” J. Gen. Intern. Med., vol. 38, no. 12, pp. 2782– 2791, 2023.

25. M. Shakil, “Integration of hypnotherapy with brief cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for treatment of depression.,” J. Pak. Med. Assoc., vol. 70, no. 4, pp. 719–723, 2020.

26. H. Shi, Y. Du, Y. Sun, Y. Wang, A. Guo, and R. Ma, “Study on the improvement of sleep quality and emotional status of patients with depression by hypnosis and cognitive behavioral therapy,” Panminerva Med., vol. 64, no. 4, pp. 583–584, 2022.

27. E. González-Ramírez, T. Carrillo-Montoya, M. L. García-Vega, C. E. Hart, A. A. Zavala-Norzagaray, and C. P. Ley-Quinónez, “Effectiveness of hypnosis therapy and Gestalt therapy as depression treatments,” Clínica y Salud, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 33–37, 2017.

28. H. Khazraee, M. Bakhtiari, A. S. Kianimoghadam, and E. Ghorbanikhah, “The effectiveness of mindful hypnotherapy on depression, self-compassion, and psychological inflexibility in females with major depressive disorder: A single-blind, randomized clinical trial,” Int. J. Clin. Exp. Hypn., vol. 71, no. 1, pp. 63–78, 2023.

29. E. Sutrisno et al., “Design of half‐mode substrate integrated cavity inspired dual‐band antenna,” IEEE Access, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 1–6, Jan. 2020, doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-09835- 2_16.

30. Z. Beevi, W. Y. Low, and J. Hassan, “The effectiveness of hypnosis intervention in alleviating postpartum psychological symptoms,” Am. J. Clin. Hypn., vol. 61, no. 4, pp. 409–425, 2019.

31. X. Chen, R. Yang, L. Ge, J. Luo, and R. Lv, “Hypnosis in the treatment of major depression: an analysis of heart rate variability,” Int. J. Clin. Exp. Hypn., vol. 65, no. 1, pp. 52–63, 2017.

32. A. Dobbin, M. Maxwell, and R. Elton, “A benchmarked feasibility study of a self- hypnosis treatment for depression in primary care,” Intl. J. Clin. Exp. Hypn., vol. 57, no. 3, pp. 293–318, 2009.

33. V. De Pascalis, “Brain functional correlates of resting hypnosis and hypnotizability: A review,” Brain Sci., vol. 14, no. 2, p. 115, 2024.

34. M. Landry, J. da Silva Castanheira, F. Rousseaux, P. Rainville, D. Ogez, and K. Jerbi, “Ongoing Dynamics of Peak Alpha Frequency Characterize Hypnotic Induction in Highly Hypnotic-Susceptible Individuals,” Brain Sci., vol. 14, no. 9, p. 883, 2024.

35. P. Kumar Govindaiah et al., “Exploring Electrophysiological Responses to Hypnosis in Patients with Fibromyalgia,” Brain Sci., vol. 14, no. 11, p. 1047, 2024.

36. G. De Benedittis, “Hypnotic modulation of autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity,” Brain Sci., vol. 14, no. 3, p. 249, 2024.

37. K. Varga and Z. S. Nagy, “Calm Contact Technique Based on the Endocrinological Mechanism of Hypnosis—A Theoretical Proposal,” Brain Sci., vol. 14, no. 1, p. 83, 2024.

38. O. S. Palsson et al., “Current practices, experiences, and views in clinical hypnosis: Findings of an international survey,” Int. J. Clin. Exp. Hypn., vol. 71, no. 2, pp. 92–114, 2023.

39. G. R. Elkins, A. F. Barabasz, J. R. Council, and D. Spiegel, “Promoviendo la investigacion y la practica: La definicion actualizada de hipnosis de la Division 30 de la APA,” Int. J. Clin. Exp. Hypn., vol. 63, no. 1, pp. 1–9, 2015.

40. W. Häuser, M. Hagl, A. Schmierer, and E. Hansen, “The efficacy, safety and applications of medical hypnosis: a systematic review of meta-analyses,” Dtsch. Arztebl. Int., vol. 113, no. 17, p. 289, 2016.

41. J. Gruzelier, “Unwanted effects of hypnosis: a review of the evidence and its implications,” Contemp. Hypn., vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 163–193, 2000.

42. L. S. Milling, Evidence-based practice in clinical hypnosis. American Psychological Association, 2023.

43. S. J. Lynn and J. P. Green, “An introduction to the practice of clinical hypnosis.,” 2023.

44.

45. M. Reiser, Handbook of investigative hypnosis. LEHI Publishing Company Los Angeles, 1980.

46. A. M. Beetz and A. von Delhaes, “Forensische Hypnose: Ein erinnerungsunterstützendes Verfahren im Rahmen polizeilicher Ermittlungen,” in Hypnose in Psychotherapie, Psychosomatik und Medizin: Manual für die Praxis, Springer, 2023, pp. 705–713.

47. D. Revenstorf and B. Peter, “Kontraindikationen, Bühnenhypnose und Willenlosigkeit,” in Hypnose in Psychotherapie, Psychosomatik und Medizin: Manual für die Praxis, Springer, 2023, pp. 135–162.

48. B. Peter, “Suggestibility and hypnotizability measures of hypnosis and hypnotizability,” in The Routledge international handbook of clinical hypnosis, Routledge, 2024, pp. 39– 54.

49. A. C. Bakke, M. Z. Purtzer, and P. Newton, “The effect of hypnotic-guided imagery on psychological well-being and immune function in patients with prior breast cancer,” J. Psychosom. Res., vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 1131–1137, 2002.

50. R. Willemsen, P. Haentjens, D. Roseeuw, and J. Vanderlinden, “Hypnosis and alopecia areata: long-term beneficial effects on psychological well-being,” Acta Derm. Venereol., vol. 91, no. 1, pp. 35–39, 2011.

51. J. B. Schnur, I. Kafer, C. Marcus, and G. H. Montgomery, “Hypnosis to manage distress related to medical procedures: a meta‐analysis,” Contemp. Hypn., vol. 25, no. 3‐4, pp. 114–128, 2008.

52. T. Guse, “Enhancing lives: A positive psychology agenda for hypnotherapy,” South African J. Psychol., vol. 42, no. 2, pp. 214–223, 2012.

53. T. Guse and G. Fourie, “Eliciting psychological strengths through hypnosis: An experiential introduction,” in Workshop presented at the 4th European conference on positive psychology, Opatija, Croatia, 2008.

54. G. Fourie and T. Guse, “An integrated hypnotherapeutic model for the treatment of childhood sexual trauma: A case study,” Am. J. Clin. Hypn., vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 193–205, 2011.

55. W. Hartman, “Ego State Therapy-Then and Now,” Hypnos, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 52–58, 2002.

56. T. Guse, M. Wissing, and W. Hartman, “The effect of a prenatal hypnotherapeutic programme on postnatal maternal psychological well‐being,” J. Reprod. Infant Psychol., vol. 24, no. 02, pp. 163–177, 2006.

57. T. Guse and G. Fourie, “Facilitating psychological well-being through hypnotherapeutic interventions,” in Well-being research in South Africa, Springer, 2013, pp. 539–555.

58. G. Elkins, “Can hypnotherapy increase well-being?,” 2022, Taylor & Francis.

59. H. Na, V. Ekanayake, V. Padilla, and G. R. Elkins, “Pilot study of hypnotic relaxation therapy for well-being (HRT-WB): A new intervention to enhance well-being and positive affect,” Int. J. Clin. Exp. Hypn., vol. 70, no. 4, pp. 328–349, 2022.

60. K. E. Valentine, L. S. Milling, L. J. Clark, and C. L. Moriarty, “The efficacy of hypnosis as a treatment for anxiety: a meta-analysis,” Int. J. Clin. Exp. Hypn., vol. 67, no. 3, pp. 336–363, 2019.

61. M. R. NASH and D. R. PATTERSON, “Clinical hypnosis in the treatment of chronic and acute pain,” Psychol. Approaches to Pain Manag. A Pract. Handb., p. 160, 2018.

62. J. Richardson, J. E. Smith, G. McCall, A. Richardson, K. Pilkington, and I. Kirsch, “Hypnosis for nausea and vomiting in cancer chemotherapy: a systematic review of the research evidence,” Eur. J. Cancer Care (Engl)., vol. 16, no. 5, pp. 402–412, 2007.

63. E. Flammer and A. Alladin, “The efficacy of hypnotherapy in the treatment of psychosomatic disorders: Meta-analytical evidence,” Intl. J. Clin. Exp. Hypn., vol. 55, no. 3, pp. 251–274, 2007.

64. J. P. Green, “Hypnosis and smoking cessation: Research and application.,” 2010.

65. L. S. Milling, M. C. Gover, and C. L. Moriarty, “The effectiveness of hypnosis as an intervention for obesity: A meta-analytic review.,” Psychol. Conscious. Theory, Res. Pract., vol. 5, no. 1, p. 29, 2018.

66. M. Shih, Y.-H. Yang, and M. Koo, “A meta-analysis of hypnosis in the treatment of depressive symptoms: a brief communication,” Intl. J. Clin. Exp. Hypn., vol. 57, no. 4, pp. 431–442, 2009.

67. J. P. Green, S. Jay Lynn, and G. H. Montgomery, “A meta-analysis of gender, smoking cessation, and hypnosis: a brief communication,” Int. J. Clin. Exp. Hypn., vol. 54, no. 2, pp. 224–233, 2006.

68. C. E. Flik et al., “Efficacy of individual and group hypnotherapy in irritable bowel syndrome (IMAGINE): a multicentre randomised controlled trial,” lancet Gastroenterol. Hepatol., vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 20–31, 2019.

69. A. M. Ahmadi, M. Jafari, L. Sabzevari, A. FallahTafti, and R. Bidaki, “Evaluation of the effect of hypnotherapy on the headache,” Sleep Hypn., vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 114–119, 2018.

70. V. Davis, “My meeting place: Rearming ourselves with cultural knowledge, spirituality a nd commu nity connectedness,” Int. J. Narrat. Ther. Community Work, no. 3, pp. 5– 16, 2017.

71. L. Schakel et al., “Effectiveness of stress-reducing interventions on the response to challenges to the immune system: a meta-analytic review,” Psychother. Psychosom., vol. 88, no. 5, pp. 274–286, 2019.

72. D. Kansagara et al., “Guided Imagery, Biofeedback, and Hypnosis: A Map of the Evidence,” 2019.

73. J. Białkowska, J. Juranek, and J. Wojtkiewicz, “Behavioral medicine methods in treatment of somatic conditions,” Biomed Res. Int., vol. 2020, no. 1, p. 5076516, 2020.

74. E. Z. Woody and K. M. McConkey, “What we don’t know about the brain and hypnosis, but need to: A view from the Buckhorn Inn,” Int. J. Clin. Exp. Hypn., vol. 51, no. 3, pp. 309–338, 2003.

75. A. M. Weitzenhoffer, “When is an ‘instruction’ an ‘instruction’?,” Int. J. Clin. Exp. Hypn., vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 258–269, 1974.

76. D. M. Wark, “What we can do with hypnosis: A brief note,” Am. J. Clin. Hypn., vol. 51, no. 1, pp. 29–36, 2008.

77. D. C. Hammond, “Hypnosis in the treatment of anxiety-and stress-related disorders,” Expert Rev. Neurother., vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 263–273, 2010.

78. M. D. Yapko, Hypnosis and treating depression: Applications in clinical practice. Routledge, 2013.

79. H. Glaesmer, H. Geupel, and R. Haak, “A controlled trial on the effect of hypnosis on dental anxiety in tooth removal patients,” Patient Educ. Couns., vol. 98, no. 9, pp. 1112– 1115, 2015.

80. J. M. Andrick, “The ‘Chicago School of Psychology’ and Hypnotic Magazine: Suggestive therapeutics, public psychologies, and new thought pluralism, 1895–1910.,” Hist. Psychol., vol. 23, no. 1, p. 1, 2020.

81. I. Kirsch, G. Montgomery, and G. Sapirstein, “Hypnosis as an adjunct to cognitive- behavioral psychotherapy: a meta-analysis.,” J. Consult. Clin. Psychol., vol. 63, no. 2, p. 214, 1995.

82. B. E. Pfitzer, “A step towards a broader understanding of complex traumatization in victims of crime: psychological and physical health impacts and implications for psychological interventions and treatment evaluation,” 2008, University of Adelaide, School of Psychology.

83. S. J. Lynn, I. Kirsch, A. Barabasz, E. Carden~ a, and D. Patterson, “Hypnosis as an empirically supported clinical intervention: The state of the evidence and a look to the future,” Int. J. Clin. Exp. Hypn., vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 239–259, 2000.

84. M. Krouwel, K. Jolly, and S. Greenfield, “What the public think about hypnosis and hypnotherapy: A narrative review of literature covering opinions and attitudes of the general public 1996–2016,” Complement. Ther. Med., vol. 32, pp. 75–84, 2017.

85. J. Kittle and D. Spiegel, “Hypnosis: the most effective treatment you have yet to prescribe,” Am. J. Med., vol. 134, no. 3, pp. 304–305, 2021.

86. N. A. Roslim et al., “Hypnotherapy for overweight and obese patients: A narrative review,” J. Integr. Med., vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 1–5, 2021.

87. E. D. Marty Sapp, F. E. Obiakor, A. J. Gregas, and S. Scholze, “Mahalanobis distance: A multivariate measure of effect in hypnosis research,” Sleep Hypn., vol. 9, no. 2, p. 67, 2007.

88. A. Dufresne et al., “Hypnotizability and opinions about hypnosis in a clinical trial for the hypnotic control of pain and anxiety during pregnancy termination,” Intl. J. Clin. Exp. Hypn., vol. 58, no. 1, pp. 82–101, 2009.

89. I. Hollingworth, “Knowledge and attitudes of pregnant women regarding hypnosis,” Aust. J. Clin. Exp. Hypn., vol. 40, no. 1, p. 43, 2012.

90. M. Szmaglinska, L. Andrew, D. Massey, and D. Kirk, “Exploring the underutilized potential of clinical hypnosis: a scoping review of healthcare professionals’ perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes,” Int. J. Clin. Exp. Hypn., vol. 72, no. 2, pp. 109–138, 2024.

91. S. J. Lynn, J. P. Green, C. P. Polizzi, S. Ellenberg, A. Gautam, and D. Aksen, “Hypnosis, hypnotic phenomena, and hypnotic responsiveness: Clinical and research foundations— A 40-year perspective,” Int. J. Clin. Exp. Hypn., vol. 67, no. 4, pp. 475–511, 2019.

92. A. Capafons, J. Suárez-Rodríguez, J. A. Molina-del-Peral, and M. E. Mendoza, “Confirmatory factor analysis of the Valencia scale of attitudes and beliefs toward hypnosis–Client version in a portuguese sample,” Int. J. Clin. Exp. Hypn., vol. 66, no. 1, pp. 19–42, 2018.

93. O. Palsson, S. Twist, and M. Walker, “A national survey of clinical hypnosis views and experiences of the adult population in the United States,” Int. J. Clin. Exp. Hypn., vol. 67, no. 4, pp. 428–448, 2019.

94. A. B. Goslicka, “The Effect of a Hypnosis Education Video on Attitudes Toward Hypnosis,” 2019, Alliant International University

Downloads

Published

2025-12-12

How to Cite

1.
Saifuddin SH, Singh R. The Effect Of Hypnosis As Supportive Or Primary Psychotherapeutic Intervention In Some Psychosomatic Conditions. J Neonatal Surg [Internet]. 2025 Dec. 12 [cited 2026 May 9];14(33S):896-909. Available from: https://jneonatalsurg.com/index.php/jns/article/view/10160