Hypnosis has been recognized for decades as an effective tool in medicine and psychotherapy, which is confirmed by numerous studies. Over the past 30 years, research has shown that the incorporation of hypnotic techniques can be effective in the treatment of various problems in the fields of medicine, psychiatry and psychotherapy.

What do professional associations find?

Like that American Psychological Association (APA) like British Psychological Association recognize hypnotherapy as an effective method of treatment in many areas. The joint research findings of both associations confirm the success of hypnotherapy in:

  • relief of acute and chronic pain,
  • reducing stress, anxiety and muscle tension,
  • alleviating discomfort during medical and dental procedures,
  • dealing with sleep disorders such as insomnia,
  • managing psychosomatic problems such as tension headaches, migraines and asthma,
  • management of gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome,
  • relief of various skin diseases,
  • aids in losing excess body weight,
  • acceleration of postoperative recovery and relief of labor pains.

The British Psychological Association points out that hypnosis is particularly useful in long and laborious diagnostic procedures, where hypnotized patients can more easily tolerate interventions.

Hypnotic trance has proven to be particularly useful in lengthy and demanding diagnostic procedures such as FIVE and fMRI, as hypnotized patients show greater calmness and patience, which facilitates the performance of these examinations.

What do meta-studies show?

By 2012, at least 500 studies had been conducted on the effectiveness of hypnosis, of which about 125 were usable for analysis in meta-studies. A review of twelve meta-studies shows that hypnosis or hypnotherapy is an effective therapeutic tool that can help manage or treat many physical and mental problems.

Meta-analyses confirm that hypnotherapy brings significant results in the treatment of pain, stress, anxiety and psychosomatic disorders, which places it alongside other established therapeutic methods.

Invasive diagnostic procedures

A meta-analysis of 26 randomized controlled trials showed that hypnosis has a significant effect in reducing the discomfort of patients undergoing invasive diagnostic radiological procedures.

Patients who underwent hypnotherapy reported a significant reduction in anxiety and fear, required less pain medication, and were more likely to successfully complete the entire procedure.

These results highlight the important role of hypnosis in improving the patient experience and supporting invasive medical procedures.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders

Research has shown that hypnotherapy enables 60 to 70 percent reduction of symptoms, the effects of which can be long-lasting, even for years.

In addition, patients improved their quality of life, reduced the number of necessary medical appointments, and increased their ability to return to work. These findings confirm the long-term effectiveness of hypnosis as a method for managing chronic digestive problems.

Cancer treatment

It is in 2017 American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis published a special issue in which they presented evidence for the benefits of hypnotherapy in at least four areas.

Hypnotherapy improves tolerance to diagnostic procedures and treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In addition, it effectively relieves the symptoms and distress associated with treatment side effects such as nausea and fatigue. It significantly contributes to the reduction of pain perception, whether acute, procedural or chronic. It also alleviates various types of emotional distress caused by diagnosis and treatment. 

Studies show that hypnotherapy slows disease progression, speeds physical recovery, and can prolong survival.

Pain management

A 2007 meta-analysis found that hypnotic interventions consistently reduce pain in a variety of chronic conditions and are more effective than non-hypnotic methods such as mindfulness, physical therapy, and education. Recent meta-analyses confirm that hypnosis is more effective than relaxation, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and biofeedback.

Hypnotic analgesia significantly reduces pain in 75% people, and hypnosis further enhances the effects of standard patient-controlled sedation. 

One of the key benefits of hypnotherapy is that it is non-addictive. In addition, it encourages the active role of the patient in pain management. Hypnosis has been shown to be effective for many types of pain, including back pain, burns, chemotherapy side effects, fibromyalgia, headaches, labor and birth, multiple sclerosis, and pain from medical procedures.

Treatment and healing

Hypnosis has proven to be a valuable method in many areas of treatment. It helps shorten hospital stays, reduce blood loss during surgery, and increase functional recovery and structural healing. 

Hypnosis accelerates the healing of wounds, broken bones and burns and reduces the stress associated with medical procedures. Stress has been shown to slow wound healing and surgical recovery, further supporting the healing benefits of hypnotherapy.

Immunological disorders

Hudacek (2007) points out that hypnosis can affect the immune system. Because hypnosis alters the cognitive perception of stressful events, it can reverse the diminished immune response associated with stress.

M. Barabasz (2010) compared the treatment of human papillomavirus (HPV) with hypnosis and medical interventions such as the use of acid, surgery or freezing in his study. The findings showed that both approaches achieved similar statistical significance, but at the 12-week follow-up, complete cure rates were five times higher with hypnotherapy. This indicates the potential of hypnotherapy as an effective method in the treatment of HPV.

The range of medical conditions for which hypnosis has been shown to be successful is impressive.

Therapists often do not know their patients' potential, nor do the patients themselves until the hypnotic work begins. 

When hypnosis is used properly and the right circumstances are created for the patient's hidden potential to emerge, patients describe these experiences as life-changing, transformative, and enlightening.

Physicians who witness the sudden and unexpected responses of patients often express surprise at these changes. This confirms the power and potential of hypnosis as a therapeutic method.

So why isn't hypnosis part of the standard approach yet? 

What are the barriers and challenges to the adoption of hypnotherapy among healthcare professionals and patients?

The answers to these questions are at the heart of the mission Institute for Clinical and Conversational Hypnosis, with which Integrapija works closely.