Research
Weight Loss
In a study involving 60 women divided into two groups, hypnosis versus non-hypnosis groups, the group using hypnosis lost an average of 17 pounds while the non-hypnosis group lost an average of only 5 pounds.
Study conducted by Gordon Cochrane; J. Freisen, (1986) “Hypnotherapy in weight-loss treatment. (Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54, 489-492)
In a nine-week study of two weight-management groups with one using hypnosis, showed that the hypnosis group continued to get results in the two-year follow-up, while the non-hypnosis group showed no further results.
Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1985
In a meta-analysis, comparing the results of incorporating hypnosis to weight-loss treatments across multiple studies showed that adding hypnosis increased weight loss by an average of 97% during treatment, and even more importantly, increased the effectiveness post-treatment by over 146%. this shows that hypnosis works even better over time.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1996
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Migraines
Hypnosis has been shown to be an effective treatment for migraines. A group of patients with migraine headaches had a group hypnosis session and then was given pre-recorded self-hypnosis tapes to use at home. the group agreed to keep written records for 3 months and had to list when they had a migraine and how long it lasted, how severe it was and what medication they used. The results showed that the headaches occurred less often and when they did occur, they went away quicker and were reported less severe. Medication use was cut in half. These result show that hypnosis is an effective treatment for migraine headaches.
Study conducted by Dr. Gordon Emmerson, Psychology Department, Victoria University of Technology
Another study was conducted on 42 patients suffering from chronic migraines. These patients responded poorly to conventional treatments. The group was divided into two groups with one receiving hypnotherapy to relieve their daily headaches; the other group was the control group. the hypnotherapy group experienced reduced frequency and duration of headaches, cutting the intensity by 30%.
Study conducted by Egilius Spierings, M.D., Ph.D. director of the headache section, Division of Neurology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Fifty patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome were asked to fill out questionnaires and then were divided into two groups, one receiving hypnosis, one not. After a few months, new questionnaires were filled out. This study determined that those who had been hypnotized, had less abdominal pain, less bloating, less nausea, less gas pains and fewer backaches. They also reported that they felt more in control of their lives. The patients who did not receive hypnosis did not show these improvements. This study proves that hypnosis is effective for relief of symptoms of IBS and also improves the quality of life for those patients.
Study conducted by Dr. Whorwel, University Hospital of South Manchester, United Kingdom
Another study showed that 82% of patients suffering from IBS who were treated with hypnosis, reported less anxiety, less abdominal pain, less bloating, less constipation and less gas. Even patients who had difficulty being hypnotized, had good results. This study also proves that hypnosis helps alleviate symptoms of IBS.
Study conducted by Dr. Edward Blanchard, Center for Stress and Anxiety Disorders
1535 Western Ave, Albany NY, 12203
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Smoking Cessation
During a study at the Texas A&M University, 21 patients were seen for smoking cessation. They were given 3 sessions of hypnosis. Results showed that immediately after treatment, 81% of the patients reported they had stopped smoking. Then a follow-up study was performed at 12 months and showed that 48% still reported not smoking.
Elkins GR, Rajab MH. (2004) “Clinical hypnosis for smoking cessation: preliminary results of a three session intervention.” International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis 2004 Jan; 52 (1): 73-81
Another study was performed at the University of Washington Medical School in which they used hypnosis on 43 patients for smoking cessation. Out of those 43 patients, 39 reported that they had stopped smoking at a follow-up (up to 3-years post-treatment). Researchers concluded that hypnosis is an extremely effective way to quit smoking demonstrating a 90.6% success rate using hypnosis.
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Bone Healing
The Harvard Medical School conducted research on the use of hypnosis to enhance physical healing. Twelve people with a recent bone fracture were divided into two groups. One group received hypnosis, the other group was the control group. Both groups received normal orthopaedic treatment. The hypnosis group had individual hypnotic sessions and listened to recorded tapes to increase bone healing. X-rays and orthopaedic evaluations were made during the 12 weeks of the experiment. The results showed a faster healing for the hypnosis group at the ninth week of the experiment. the hypnosis group had better mobility and used less pain medication. The researchers determined that hypnosis may be capable of enhancing anatomical and functional fractre healing.
Ginandes, C.S,Rosenthal, DI. 1999, “Using hypnosis to accelerate the healing of bone fractures: a randomized controlled pilot study”, Therapy Health Medicine, May, 5(2), pp. 67-75.
During a study at the Texas A&M University, 21 patients were seen for smoking cessation. They were given 3 sessions of hypnosis. Results showed that immediately after treatment, 81% of the patients reported they had stopped smoking. Then a follow-up study was performed at 12 months and showed that 48% still reported not smoking.
Elkins GR, Rajab MH. (2004) “Clinical hypnosis for smoking cessation: preliminary results of a three session intervention.” International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis 2004 Jan; 52 (1): 73-81
Another study was performed at the University of Washington Medical School in which they used hypnosis on 43 patients for smoking cessation. Out of those 43 patients, 39 reported that they had stopped smoking at a follow-up (up to 3-years post-treatment). Researchers concluded that hypnosis is an extremely effective way to quit smoking demonstrating a 90.6% success rate using hypnosis.
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Bone Healing
The Harvard Medical School conducted research on the use of hypnosis to enhance physical healing. Twelve people with a recent bone fracture were divided into two groups. One group received hypnosis, the other group was the control group. Both groups received normal orthopaedic treatment. The hypnosis group had individual hypnotic sessions and listened to recorded tapes to increase bone healing. X-rays and orthopaedic evaluations were made during the 12 weeks of the experiment. The results showed a faster healing for the hypnosis group at the ninth week of the experiment. the hypnosis group had better mobility and used less pain medication. The researchers determined that hypnosis may be capable of enhancing anatomical and functional fractre healing.
Ginandes, C.S,Rosenthal, DI. 1999, “Using hypnosis to accelerate the healing of bone fractures: a randomized controlled pilot study”, Therapy Health Medicine, May, 5(2), pp. 67-75.