Main Research Findings

Hypnotherapy is a promising approach to treating various conditions, including depression( 6 ), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)( 7 ), ( 18 ), ( 19 ), ( 17 ), ( 15 ), ( 11 ), ( 13 ), ( 1 ), ( 3 ), ( 16 ), ( 12 ), ( 5 ), PTSD( 4 ), dental anxiety( 3 ), tension headaches( 1 ), sleep disturbances( 5 ), psychosocial difficulties in children and adolescents with visible differences( 8 ), and the impact of social media( 9 ).

Hypnotherapy may affect emotional processing in depressed patients( 6 ), and the effect may vary depending on the level of rumination. Patients with high rumination tend to show increased activity in the right superior temporal sulcus (STS) after hypnotherapy, suggesting improvement in impaired emotional processing. Conversely, patients with low rumination tend to show decreased activity in the right STS, reflecting a suppression of overcompensation associated with hyperactivity before therapy.

Hypnotherapy has the potential to reduce abdominal pain in IBS patients( 7 ), by processing painful memories, including those associated with trauma.

Hypnotherapy has been shown to improve symptoms in IBS patients( 18 ), ( 19 ), ( 17 ), ( 15 ). Group hypnotherapy may be less effective than individual hypnotherapy in improving symptoms( 18 ). Hypnotherapy can improve IBS symptom severity, quality of life, and coping mechanisms such as symptom catastrophizing and symptom-related social hypervigilance( 19 ).

Hypnotherapy may be effective in managing pain, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in the perioperative period of cardiac surgery( 11 ).

Hypnotherapy shows comparable long-term effects to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating depression( 13 ). Both hypnotherapy and CBT can maintain depressive symptoms at a low level and achieve high rates of long-term remission.

Hypnotherapy shows comparable effectiveness to autogenic training in treating tension headaches( 1 ), and may be superior to autogenic training in long-term follow-up.

Hypnotherapy demonstrates comparable effectiveness to group therapy and individual desensitization in treating dental anxiety( 3 ). Hypnotherapy can reduce dental anxiety, improve dental beliefs, and alleviate fear of future dental treatment.

Hypnotherapy used adjunctively with conventional therapy in treating hyperemesis gravidarum significantly reduces nausea severity and vomiting frequency, and shortens hospital stays( 16 ).

Hypnotherapy can be an effective treatment for functional abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in children( 12 ), ( 17 ). Standardized home-based gut-directed hypnosis exercises with compact discs (CDs) have been shown to be non-inferior to individual hypnotherapy by a therapist( 17 ).

Hypnotherapy appears to be a promising treatment for sleep disturbances, with fewer side effects compared to other treatments( 5 ). Hypnotherapy with sleep-specific suggestions may be more effective.

Hypnotherapy is effective in alleviating PTSD symptoms( 4 ). In particular, manualized abreactive hypnotherapy has shown high effectiveness in symptom reduction. The effects of hypnotherapy can be long-lasting.

Adding hypnotherapy to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can enhance treatment outcomes( 2 ). In particular, CBT combined with hypnotherapy for obesity shows a tendency for weight loss to continue after treatment ends.

Hypnotherapy can help address psychosocial difficulties, anxiety, and bullying in children and adolescents with visible differences( 8 ).

Hypnotherapy can help address issues such as loneliness, isolation, depression, and self-harm related to the influence of social media( 9 ). Hypnotherapy can help reduce the negative impact of social media and leverage its positive aspects.

Benefits and Risks

Benefits Summary

Hypnotherapy can be effective in treating various conditions such as depression, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), PTSD, dental anxiety, tension headaches, sleep disturbances, psychosocial difficulties in children and adolescents with visible differences, and the impact of social media. Hypnotherapy can help improve these conditions and enhance quality of life.

Risks Summary

While hypnotherapy is generally considered safe, some patients may experience side effects such as dizziness and nausea( 14 ). Because hypnotherapy involves altering consciousness levels, it should be used with caution, especially for patients with mental illnesses or substance dependencies. It is crucial to ensure that hypnotherapy is performed by qualified professionals such as psychiatrists or psychotherapists.

Comparison Between Studies

Commonalities Among Studies

Many studies suggest that hypnotherapy can be effective for various conditions. These studies indicate that hypnotherapy can potentially reduce symptoms like depression, IBS, PTSD, dental anxiety, tension headaches, and sleep disturbances.

Differences Between Studies

The types and specific procedures of hypnotherapy vary among studies. For example, some studies use traditional hypnotherapy, while others employ Ericksonian hypnotherapy or standardized hypnotherapy recordings. Additionally, the target conditions and participant characteristics differ. Therefore, comparing results across different studies can be challenging.

Consistency and Contradictions in Findings

Research findings on the effectiveness of hypnotherapy exhibit both consistency and contradictions. Some studies suggest that hypnotherapy is an effective treatment, while others lack clear evidence of effectiveness. This variability may be attributed to factors such as the type of hypnotherapy used, participant characteristics, and study design.

Points to Consider for Real-Life Application

It is essential to seek hypnotherapy from qualified professionals. Because hypnotherapy alters consciousness levels, caution should be exercised for patients with mental illnesses or substance dependencies. The effectiveness of hypnotherapy can vary among individuals. To enhance the effectiveness of hypnotherapy, building a positive relationship with the hypnotherapist and actively engaging in therapy are important.

Limitations of Current Research

Research on the effectiveness of hypnotherapy is still limited. In particular, there is a lack of research on long-term effects and the mechanisms of hypnotherapy. Additionally, research comparing different types of hypnotherapy and investigating factors that influence hypnotherapy's effectiveness is needed.

Future Research Directions

To further clarify the effectiveness of hypnotherapy, large-scale clinical trials and long-term follow-up studies are needed. Neuro-scientific research to decipher the mechanisms of hypnotherapy is also crucial. Moreover, research identifying factors influencing hypnotherapy's effectiveness and developing optimal treatment approaches is essential.

Conclusion

Hypnotherapy has the potential to be effective for various conditions, including depression, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), PTSD, dental anxiety, tension headaches, sleep disturbances, and more. However, the effectiveness of hypnotherapy can vary, and it's not effective for everyone. It's crucial to seek hypnotherapy from qualified professionals. Continued research on the effectiveness of hypnotherapy can potentially make it a beneficial treatment option for more individuals. Consider consulting a qualified hypnotherapist if you are interested in exploring this form of therapy.