Hypnosis and Clinical Hypnotherapy in the Treatment of Psychological and Psychosomatic Ailments

15 Pages·2014·0.39 MB·English

Medical Journal of Babylon-Vol. 11- No. 2 -2014 1024 -يناثلا ددعلا-رشع يداحلا دلجملا -ةيبطلا لباب ةلجم

Hypnosis and Clinical Hypnotherapy in the Treatment of

Psychological and Psychosomatic Ailments

Wael Mustafa Abu Hassan

Department of Health Sciences, Allied Medical College, Arab American,

University of Jenin-AAUJ, West Bank, PALESTINE.

Review Article

Received 25 May 2014 Accepted 15 June 2014
Abstract
This review on hypnosis and clinical hypnotherapy in the treatment of psychological and
psychosomatic ailments comes to shed the light on a topic since its inception is neglected in our Arab
world, though historically and scientifically it had been evolved as it is the case of other clinical
procedures. Tracing of the most significant efforts in the history of hypnotism, the nature of the
phenomenon, its scope and process was of great importance to be addressed. Also, earlier, late and
current evaluations of the subject from a scientific outlook were highlighted, where it was shown that
hypnosis and hypnotherapy is a valid and reliable clinical tool in the treatment of many health
problems. From here, it leads us to conclude that hypnosis and hypnotherapy is a significant clinical
tool in medical practice; in past and at present. With hope that one day hypnosis and hypnotherapy will
become a therapeutic choice for all who may need it; individuals, families and groups; for a healthy
living, happiness and much better promising quality of life.
Key words: hypnosis, clinical hypnotherapy, treatment, psychological and
psychosomatic ailments.
ةصلاخلا
ةيدسج سفنلاو ةيسفنلا ضراملاا ةجلاعم يف يكينيلكلاا يسيطانغملا ميونتلاب جلاعلاو يسيطانغملا ميونتلا لوح ةعجراملا هذه يتأت
نم هريغك ةليوطلا ةيخيراتلاو ةيملعلا هتقلاطنا نم مغرلا ىلع ،يبرعلا انملاع يف لهاجتم هران هتايادب ذنم عوضوم ىلع ءوضلا ءاقللإ
،اهتايلمعو اهتلااجم ،ةرهاظلا كلت ةعيبطو ،يسيطانغملا ميونتلا خيرات يف ةللادلا تاذ دوهجلا مهأ ضراعتسا .ىرخلأا ةيكينيلكلإا قرطلا
نمو ،ةرصاعملاو ،ةرخأتملاو اهنم ةمدقتملا ،عوضوملل ةيملعلا تاميوقتلا كلت ىلع ءوضلا طيلست مت اضيأ .هيلا قرطت ام مهأ نم ناك
اذ ةيكينيلكا ةادأك يسيطانغملا ميونتلاب جلاعلاو يسيطانغملا ميونتلا نأ ةقيقح نع فشكلا مت اهللاخ نم يتلاو ،ةيملع رظن ةهجو
جلاعلاو يسيطانغملا ميونتلا نا ىلا انصلخ ،رملاا ةياهن يفو .ةيحصلا تلاكشملا نم ديدعلا ةجلاعم يف ةربتعم هيقو ثوو ةيقادصم
ّ
يسيطانغملا ميونتلا نوكي نا يف لملاا عم .رضاحلاو يضاملا يف ؛ةيبطلا سراملا يف ةللاد تاذ ةيكينيلكا ةادأ يسيطانغملا ميونتلاب
،ةيحص ةايح لجا نم هلكو ؛تاعامجو راساو ،ادرافا ؛هيلا نوجاتحي دق نم لكل ايجلاع راايخ ام اموي يسيطانغملا ميونتلاب جلاعلاو
.ةدعاو ةايح ةيعونو ةداعسو
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Introduction Romans.[3] Literally speaking,
H
ypnosis as a technique for hypnotism is a state where to place an
health issues that seems to individual in a sleep-like status, though
have been originated with as we will see it is a different state of
Budhism and other eastern meditative sleep.
techniques of ancient India cultures, In the golden times of Islam
[1] as it is the story of sleep temples in and Muslims, Avicenna (Abu Ali Ibn
ancient Egypt,[2] Greece and the Sina) (980-1037), the well known
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philosopher and physician of his time, coined the term "hypnotism" as an
was the earliest medieval age to make abbreviation for "neuro-hypnotism,"
a distinction between natural sleep and meaning "sleep of the nerves,"[10]
the state of hypnosis, where in “The where from here the man was taken by
Book of Healing” (Kitab-ul-Shifaa) many as the first genuine
(published in 1027), he referred to the “hypnotherapist” and the “father of
phenomenon as “Al-Wahm Al-Amil” hypnotism.”[11]
(the working illusion). From Contemporary to Braid, John
Avicenna’s perspective, one could Elliotson (1791-1868), the President of
create conditions in another person to the Royal Medical and Surgical
make him or her accept the reality of Society of London performed
hypnosis [4]. successfully about 1834 surgeries
while patients were under hypnosis.
Hypnosis as a modern science
Also, within the same period of time, it
is documented in Paris as far back as
was reported that James Esdaille
the 18th century, where it was used as a
(1808-1859) of Scotland, who is a
medical tool in dealing with pain
famous British surgeon serving in
resolving troubles, and the Austrian
India, as conducted about 2,000
physician Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-
operations (including amputations)
1815) was the first to become a famous
with patients under hypno-anaesthesia,
in using a form of hypnosis referred to
without feeling any pain [12].
as “animal magnetism” and later as
Post Braid contributions and
“Mesmerism”[5].
other British reputed figures, interest in
True that within the same
hypnotism was temporarily waned for
period of time, we find the Swiss priest
a while, gradually to be shifted from
Johann Joseph Gassner (1729-1779),
Great Britain to neighboring countries,
to challenge “Mesmerism” and to judg
to France, Germany, Austria, and
Mesmer’s method as curing through
Switzerland, where clinical and
“exorcism” and Mesmer to confront
medical research on the topic began to
Glassner’s religious beliefs in a
grow, reaching its peaks in 1880s on
controversial scientific session before
the hands of Auguste Ambrose
the Munich Academy of Sciences [6].
Liebeault, Hippolyte Bernheim, Emile
Later, we find Pope Pius VI (1717-
Coue de la Châtaigneraie, and Jean-
1799) of Rome, to criticize Gassner’s
Martin Charcot[13].
views, where the later position
At the Nancy school, which is
becomes difficult; in the end to be
considered the most famous earlier
forbidden to conduct “exorcisms” or
French hypnosis-centered school of
see hypnotism as “exorcism”[7].
psychotherapy, Auguste Ambrose
Later as an interested fellow in
Liebeault (1823-1904) and Hyppolyte
the phenomenon, the Scottish surgeon
Bernheim (1840-1919) where the first
James Braid (1795-1860) was the first
to come out with the notion that
to publish a major book on hypnotism,
hypnosis is a normal phenomenon, and
named Neurypnology (1843), where he
as due their works to be documented in
discussed hypnotism's historical
various languages[14].
precursors in a series of specialized
Based on such scientific
varied articles [8]. Further, Braid was
efforts, hypnosis become an accepted
the first to draw analogies between his
therapeutic medical tool in medical
own practices of hypnotism and other
science, where over the course of four
various forms of Hindu yoga
years, Bernheim alone utilized
meditation and related ancient spiritual
hypnotic inductions in the case of
practices[9]. Braid was the one who
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about 5,000 patients, with a 75% In succession of Freud and
observed success rate[15]. Breuer, Clark Hull (1884-1952) who
Émile Coué (1857-1926) who studied was an eminent experimental
on the hands of masters Liébeault and psychologist at Yale University, was
Bernheim, entered the arena as a the first American to present his data
psychologist and introduced a popular and observations on hypnosis, with a
method of psychotherapy well based full description of the phenomenon in
on autosuggestion[16]. His appreciated one of his revolutionary books, titled
contributions made him to be seen by “Hypnosis and Suggestibility”[21].
many medical critics as a second
Hull attempts dispelled all
Nancy School per se [17].
those misconceptions about hypnosis,
In 1886, Jean-Martin Charcot
and he did enough in comparing
(1835-1893), who becomes later the
subjects’ capacities while in hypnotic
father of modern neurology in France,
states with those in the awake states,
was the first to present his findings on
and much more [22].
the topic of hypnosis before the French
Succeeding Hull, Milton
Academy of Sciences; and albeit his
Hyland Erickson (1901-1980) as a
critical conclusions that hypnosis is a
reputed American mental health
manifestation of hysteria not a cure,
professional (both psychologist and
hypnosis continued to be accepted and
psychiatrist) becomes a figure in what
practiced as a therapeutic medical tool
is denoted later as medical and clinical
[18].
hypnosis [23-26].
From the 1880s the
It is enough to know that
examination of hypnosis passed from
Erickson was the founding president of
surgical doctors to mental health
the American Society for Clinical
professionals, and Charcot’s works led
Hypnosis in addition of being an active
the way for others, where his clinical
fellow of the American Psychiatric
observations and enlightening studies
Association, the American
continued by his pupils, particularly,
Psychological Association, and the
Pierre Janet (1859-1947). Janet
American Psychopathological
becomes the first to describe the theory
Association. He is well noted for his
of dissociation; the splitting of mental
distinguished approach to the
aspects under hypnosis (or hysteria as
unconscious mind as creative and
it were seen) as well he is the one who
solution-generating. Further, as a
provoked interest in the subconscious
clinical hypnotist, the man noted in
mind and laid the framework for
influencing plenty of psychological
reintegration therapy in the case of
therapeutic techniques and related
dissociation and dissociated
approaches, such as brief therapy,
personalities [19].
strategic family therapy, family
Another enlightened pupil from systems therapy, solution focused brief
Vienna, Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), therapy, in addition to his excellent
who learned at the hands of Charcot contributions to the establishment and
himself, side by side with Janet, with emergence of Neuro-Linguistic
some other medical reputed figures, Programming -NLP [27].
like close friend Josef Breuer (1842- Not to proceed further beyond,
1925), we find them through hypnosis and hypnotherapy becomes a
hypnotism, strongly contributed well established medical procedure all
enough to psychology, psychotherapy, over, where it is thoroughly
the science of mind and other related investigated, taught, learned and
mental processes [20]. clinically practiced at psychology,
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psychiatry, and neurology schools, When it comes to scope, hypnosis and
faculties, departments and units of hypnotherapy originally founded to
health care settings and medicine. treat and cure psychological,
Hypnotherapy: Nature, Scope and psychosomatic, psycho-neurological
Process and psychosocial related symptoms
Primarily speaking, hypnot- and syndromes. Within that scope,
herapy is the use of hypnosis in building good habits (i.e., taking
psychotherapy by licensed prompt action, exercising regularly,
psychotherapists [28]. Also, it is the improving study habits), removing bad
use of the same by sergeants, habits (i.e., stop smoking, nail biting,
obstetricians, pediatricians, general emotional overeating, setting goals and
medicine practitioners, psychiatrists, following a plan of action, eliminating
and dentists [29 30]. negative self-talk and replacing it with
helpful self communication,
Referring to the British
eliminating unnecessary fears and
Psychological Society, “the term
phobias (i.e., flying, public speaking,
‘hypnosis’ denotes an interaction
test taking, improving performance
between one person, the ‘hypnotist’,
(i.e., sports, music, acting, speaking,
and another person or people, the
sales, shifting perspective and attitude
‘subject’ or ‘subjects.’ In this
to help a client move ahead (i.e., from
interaction, the hypnotist attempts to
what's wrong to what's right, from
influence the subjects’ perceptions,
problem to solution, from worry to
feelings, thinking and behavior by
action, from what can't be done to what
asking them to concentrate on ideas
can, teaching self-help tools and
and images that may evoke the
techniques (i.e., self-hypnosis,
intended effects. The verbal
teaching corporate seminars (i.e., stress
communications that the hypnotist uses
management, creating excellence,
to achieve these effects are termed
teaching personal growth seminars,
‘suggestions.’ Suggestions differ from
healing emotional pain, enhancing
everyday kinds of instructions in that
physical healing, creative problem
they imply that a ‘successful’ response
solving, locating and removing
is experienced by the subject as having
limiting decisions or negative beliefs,
a quality of involuntariness or
locating and releasing blocks that
effortlessness”[31].
prevent any of the above), pain
When it comes to hypnotherapy
management, childbirth preparation,
and related forms, we find that modern
working with suicidal depression, and
hypnotherapy in clinical practice has
working with most psychologically
been used in a variety of therapeutic
labeled disorders[41].
forms, such as the traditional
As a form of psychotherapy
hypnotherapy [32], self-hypnosis [33],
and clinical therapeutic technique,
cognitive-behavioral hypnotherapy or
hypnosis is used to create a kind of
clinical hypnosis combined with some
unconscious changes in the patient
elements of cognitive-behavioral
through creating and directing new
therapy [34], analytical hypnotherapy
thoughts, feelings and responses. As
or what is know as "hypnoanalysis"
cited by Richard J D’Souza; who is a
[35], hypnosurgery form [36 37], Dave
senior hypnotherapist at Clinical
Elman hypno method,[38] and the
Hypnotherapy Cardiff: “hypnosis is
Ericksonian hypnotherapy, including
sometimes referred to as an “altered
the well established NLP formulae [39
state of consciousness” in which an
40].
individual(s) can experience an
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increased receptiveness and Also, when it comes to scripts, we find
responsiveness to their inner them varied from A to Z [44]. Even to
experiential perceptions. It is a state of reach such a hypno state , self-
heightened suggestibility in which a hypnosis is possible; a state in which a
therapist can use suggestions to subject listens to either an audio or a
influence the patients’ unconscious video taped induction formula or plays
mind while their conscious mind the role of a hypnotist and a receptive
remains relaxed [42]. And of course, subject successively [45 46].
all is undertaken within a subject inner Hypnotic induction is a
world while he or she is under necessary step to lead the subject to
hypnosis. enter a state of increased suggestibility,
When it comes to induction, the a state during which his or her critical
process should be undertaken by a well faculties are reduced and become more
trained and licensed hypnotist to susceptible to accept the commands of
establish the needed state of the hypnotist [47, 48]. The state hereby
unconsciousness or all those necessary is known as a "trance"[49]. When it
conditions required for hypnosis to comes to the necessary components to
take place [43]. The formula in core, induce such a trance state, simply, we
usually is a specific peculiar “sleep find it residing in motivation,
command or any related demand,” concentration, imagination and
though induction methods could vary. suggestion as the figure 1 shows.

Figure 1 shows the necessary needed components for inducing a hypnotic trance within
subjects.

In early hypnotic literatures, course, not to forget the Ericksonian
hypnosis induction was a gradual styles and patterns [53].
drawn-out process, where, methods As it is shown in figure 2
such as progressive muscle relaxation below, hypnosis takes place usually in
were designed to relax the hypnotic four main stages, starting with
subjects into a state of inner focus and initiation stage (i.e., the readiness,
the hypnotist would be better able to relaxation and sleep command stage),
influence them, and as a consequence, trance (i.e., the dizziness, heaviness,
create effects and changes at their irresistibility and receptive stage),
subconscious level [50]. Modern suggestibility stage (i.e., full
alternatives include Dave Elman’s suggestion upon subjects), and ending
induction techniques, where he uses up with intended therapeutic
many different handshake methods to consequences stage (i.e., the
hypnotize subjects in a short period of prospected therapeutic changes and
time (i.e., 1-4 minutes) [51, 52]. Of solutions).

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Figure 2 shows the process of inducing hypnosis in its major four stages.

Earlier Evaluations and Related consulted several experts on the
Findings subject from various fields, including
In 1892, the British Medical the eminent neurologist Prof. W.
Association (BMA) commissioned a Russell Brain, the 1st Baron Brain, and
team of doctors to undertake and the psychoanalyst Wilfred Bion. After
evaluate the nature as well as the two years of thorough investigation, its
medical effects of hypnosis and final report was published, with full
hypnotherapy. Completing such emphasis to consider uses of
historical medical investigation of hypnotism, its relation to medical
hypnotism and related outcomes, the practice in the present day, the
committee reported a full satisfaction advisability of giving encouragement
of the genuineness of the hypnotic to research into its nature and
state. Furthermore, the committee application, and the lines upon which
members were of the opinion that as a such research might be organized [56].
therapeutic agent, hypnotism is On the basis of its study and
frequently effective in relieving pain, investigative research findings, the
procuring sleep, and alleviating many subcommittee was satisfied that
functional ailments [54] hypnotism is of value and may be the
From here then after, it could treatment of choice in some cases of so
be said that medical practice of called psychosomatic disorders and
hypnosis and hypnotherapy had psychoneurosis. Also, it may be of
subsequently been approved by the value for revealing unrecognized
BMA, where such a recognition was motives and conflicts in such
first established in 1892, to be strongly conditions. And as a treatment, in the
reinforced later in 1955 [55]. opinion of the investigating
In 1955 efforts, the Psychological subcommittee it has proved its ability
Medicine Group of the BMA to remove symptoms and to alter
commissioned a subcommittee, led by morbid habits of thought and behavior,
Prof. T. Ferguson Rodger, to deliver a (…).
second, and more comprehensive In addition to the treatment of
report on hypnosis. The subcommittee psychiatric disabilities, it was found
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that there is a place for hypnotism in 1999, published a clinical review on
the production of anesthesia or the current medical research findings
analgesia for surgical and dental of hypnosis, hypnotherapy and
operations, and in suitable subjects it is relaxation therapies. Concisely, to
an effective method of relieving pain summarize some of their findings, it
in childbirth without altering the was concluded that they are:
normal course of labor. As Alexander 1. effective for panic disorders and
Kennedy put it, it was concluded: “that insomnia, particularly when integrated
the use of hypnosis has a recognized into a package of cognitive therapy
place in the medical armamentarium (including, for example, sleep
and is a useful technique in the hygiene),
treatment of certain illnesses when 2. effective enough, mainly with
employed by qualified medical and cognitive behavioral therapy for
dental personnel.”[57] conditions such as phobia, obesity, and
All such reputed findings, anxiety,
crossed the Atlantic Ocean to be 3. enough supporting the use of many
followed by the American Medical relaxation techniques for treating both
Association (AMA), where AMA fully acute and chronic pain,
acknowledged hypnosis as a valuable 4. of great value in asthma and in
tool in medical treatments, particularly, irritable bowel syndrome, and
in 1958, where the AMA 5. enough effective for the treatment of
commissioned a similar step on cancer related anxiety, pain, nausea,
hypnosis and hypnotherapy in the US, and vomiting, particularly in children
which fully led to the endorsement of [60].
the 1955 BMA report.[58] Further Research Works and
Later on, particularly in 1995, Further Findings
the US National Institutes of Health In 2001, the Professional
(NIH), initiated a Technology Affairs Board of the British
Assessment Conference that compiled Psychological Society (BPS)
an official statement entitled: commissioned a working group of
“Integration of behavioral & relaxation expert psychologists to publish a report
approaches into the treatment of entitled “The Nature of Hypnosis,”
chronic pain and insomnia,” which is with the purpose to provide a
truly an extensive report that includes a considerable statement about hypnosis
statement on the existing research in and important issues concerning its
relation to hypnosis and hypnotherapy application and practice in a range of
for chronic pain. contexts, notably for clinical purposes,
It was concluded that: “the forensic investigations, academic
evidence supporting the effectiveness research works, entertainment and
of hypnosis in alleviating chronic pain training. At the end, the report came
associated with cancer seems strong.” out and provided a brief summary of
In addition, the panel was presented the nature of hypnosis and current
with other data suggesting the scientific research findings on the
effectiveness of hypnosis in other subject. The most significant issue was
chronic pain conditions, which include that: “hypnosis is a valid subject for
irritable bowel syndrome, oral scientific study and research and a
mucositis, temporomandibular proven therapeutic medium,” and
disorders and tension headaches[59]. regarding hypnosis therapeutic uses
Further distinguished works, and related research outcomes, the
the British Medical Journal (BMJ) in report came out with the a fact that
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“enough studies have now Jacobson relaxation technique(s) for
accumulated to suggest that the the reduction of osteoarthritis pain,
inclusion of hypnotic procedures may where participants reporting pain from
be beneficial in the management and hip or knee osteoarthritis were
treatment of a wide range of conditions randomly assigned to one of the
and problems encountered in the following conditions: (a) hypnosis (i.e.
practice of medicine, psychiatry and standardized eight-session hypnosis
psychotherapy.”[61] treatment); (b) relaxation (i.e.
Then, the working group standardized eight sessions of
(within the same report) provided an Jacobson's relaxation treatment); (c)
overview of some of the most control (i.e. waiting list). Overall,
significant contemporary research results show that the two experimental
findings on the efficacy of clinical groups had a lower level of subjective
hypnotherapy, and they were as it pain comparatively to the control
follows: group and that the level of subjective
1. there is convincing evidence that pain decreased within time.
hypnotic procedures are effective in Furthermore, an interaction effect
the management and relief of both between group treatment and time
acute and chronic pain and in assisting measurement was also observed in
in the alleviation of pain, discomfort which beneficial effects of treatment
and distress due to medical and dental appeared more rapidly for the hypnosis
procedures and childbirth, group. Results also show that hypnosis
2. hypnosis and the practice of self- and relaxation are effective in reducing
hypnosis may significantly reduce the amount of analgesic medication
general anxiety, tension and stress in a taken by participants [62].
manner similar to other relaxation and In 2003, a meta-analysis study
self-regulation procedures, on the efficacy of clinical
3. likewise, hypnotic treatment may hypnotherapy was published by
assist in insomnia in the same way as Flammer and Bongartz (two eminent
other relaxation methods, German researchers from the
4. there is encouraging evidence university of Konstanz - Germany),
demonstrating the beneficial effects of where they examined a huge body of
hypnotherapeutic procedures in data related to psychosomatic illnesses,
alleviating the symptoms of a range of test anxiety, smoking cessation and
complaints that fall under the heading pain control during orthodox medical
psychosomatic illness, including: treatments.
tension headaches and migraine; In their investigation, Flammer
asthma; gastrointestinal complaints and Bongartz considered a total of 444
such as irritable bowel syndrome; studies on hypnotherapy published
warts; and possibly other skin prior to 2002, by selecting the most
complaints such as eczema, psoriasis suitable research designs for meta-
and urticaria, and analysis through narrowing their focus
5. there is evidence from several merely on 57 controlled trials. The
studies that inclusion of clinical surprising outcomes though the
hypnosis in a weight reduction procedures were rigorous, showed that
program(s) may significantly enhance on average hypnotherapy achieved at
positive outcome(s). least 64% success compared to 37%
In 2002 a study was set to improvement among untreated control
investigate the effectiveness of groups. Conclusively, it means that
Erickson’s hypnosis style(s) and hypnotherapy is enough effective.
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Expansion of their meta- effective in the management such a
analysis to include the other non- case, where over half of the trials (i.e.,
randomized trials, also, produced 10 of 18) showed a significant benefits
enough reliable results. When all other [66]
133 studies were included and were With the adoption of the
analyzed on the basis of previous concept of Neuroplasticity in medical
outcomes (a step in which providing sciences, hypnotherapy is being
extra data for over 6,000 patients), the acknowledged as a method to affect
findings suggested an average and enhance the brain’s neural
improvement in 27% of untreated pathways[67].
patients over the term of the studies In 2007, another meta-analysis
compared with a 74% success rate by Cochrane Collaboration group
among those who received found that the therapeutic effect of
hypnotherapy treatments [63] hypnotherapy was "superior to that of
In 2004, on the basis of a a waiting list control or usual medical
literature search of scientific articles management, for abdominal pain and
cataloged in CINAHL, PUBMED, the composite primary irritable bowel
Cochrane Library, and AMED syndrome and related symptoms, in the
databases relating to the effectiveness short term in patients who fail standard
of 13 non-pharmacologic methods medical therapy;" with no harmful
(hypnosis is one of them) used to side-effects[68].
relieve pain and reduce suffering in For further research findings,
labor among women, it was found that searching in many databases, such as
there is adequate evidence of benefit in the Pubmed, Medline, Dynamed and
reducing pain for continuous labor the PsycINFO and many others, the
support, baths, intradermal water status of hypnosis and hypnotherapy as
blocks, and maternal movement and a significant clinical procedure found
positioning. Hypnotherapy in addition to be in favor of the treatment of many
to acupuncture, massage, and psychological and psychosomatic
transcutaneous electrical nerve ailments.
stimulation were promising, though In many of such research
further investigations are needed. All works, hypnosis and hypnotherapy
the methods studied had evidence of found to be useful in the treatment of
widespread satisfaction among a many conditions, such as pains in
majority of users [64]. children and adolescents,[69, 70]
In contrary, in 2005, in another depressions[71], sexuality problems
meta analysis study conducted by the [72], post traumatic stress disorders
Cochrane Collaboration, to find no [73,74], asthma [75], obstetrics, labor
evidence that hypnotherapy as more and delivery and preterm labor issues
successful than other therapies, though [76], cardiovascular responses, [77]
the study was restricted to following fibromyalgia pains [78], dental pains
the issue of smoking cessation, it was [79], psychosomatic disorders, [80]
found that no hypnotic treatment in sleep disorders [81], pain and pain
achieving cessation of smoking for at management [82, 83], chronic pains,
least six months [65]. headaches and migraine [84,85],
When it comes to irritable bowel postoperative pains,86 bowel diseases
syndrome, Wilson, Maddison, Roberts, and gastrointestinal related disorders
Greenfield, & Singh (2006) published [87-90], conversion disorders [91], and
one of their systematic reviews few to mention.
suggesting that hypnotherapy is
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Medical Journal of Babylon-Vol. 11- No. 2 -2014 1024 -يناثلا ددعلا-رشع يداحلا دلجملا -ةيبطلا لباب ةلجم

To end up with pointing to one and psychosomatic syndromes and
of those thorough promising research related signs and symptoms. Hence,
findings, Jensen and Patterson we may conclude that hypnosis and
(February-March 2014) in one of their hypnotherapy is an effective valid and
most recent works emphasized on the reliable clinical tool to be used as a
fact that empirical support for hypnosis natural medical procedure in health
for chronic pain management and settings; in tackling, managing and
related stuff has flourished over the curing of many health problems.
past two decades, where many clinical
trials showed hypnosis as an effective Recommendations
technique for reducing chronic pain On the basis of such findings,
and related psychological and strongly the first recommendation that
psychosocial factors, although jumps in mind is that time had come
outcomes vary between individuals. In for many clinicians in our Arab World
brief, they showed that findings of to learn all necessary skills vis-à-vis
such clinical trials simply indicate that hypnosis and hypnotherapy. Medical
hypnotic treatments have a number of staff across the Arab World,
positive effects beyond any pain particularly, psychologists and
control procedures; where such psychiatrists are in front of those to be
scientific research results as many introduced to hypnosis and
researchers see it, have an important hypnotherapy. In addition, physicians
implications for how clinicians can of all specialties and paramedical
help their clients experience maximum health professionals are not to be
benefits from hypnosis and those excluded.
treatments that include hypnotic To add more, teaching of
components [92]. hypnotism should be incorporated in
medical and health science curricula in
Summary and Conclusions all university medical schools,
From the previous tracing faculties of allied medical and health
history of hypnosis and hypnotic sciences, concerned departments and
works, the precise outlook on its units. Though hypnosis and
nature, scope and process with hypnotherapy is a well established
reference to well reputed published choice in Western medicine since more
works on the subject, it becomes clear than 200 years, we may say to our
that hypnosis and clinical medical officials, to start introducing,
hypnotherapy is not a myth rather a endorsing and incorporating such
natural phenomenon which goes back medical endeavor though late, much
to ancient times and well established better than not to.
scientific endeavors. It is a
phenomenon that was observed and References
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until investigated thoroughly in techniques and hypnosis: a new
modern times and validated by synthesis. Am J Clin Hypn. October
concerned and authorized medical 2003;46(2):97-108.
bodies, like the BMA, AMA, NIH and 2 Okasha A. Egyptian contribution to
the BPA. When it comes to its the concept of mental health. East.
efficacy, it was found through many Mediterr. Health J. May
researches that hypnosis and 2001;7(3):377-380.
hypnotherapy is a working clinical tool 3 British Society for Clinical
in the treatment of many psychological Hypnosis. Clinical hypnosis. Available
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