Mindful Hypnotherapy to Reduce Stress and Increase Mindfulness: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

• Published in: International journal of clinical and experimental hypnosis Vol. 68; no. 2; pp. 151 - 166
• Main Authors: Olendzki, Nicholas, Elkins, Gary R., Slonena, Elizabeth, Hung, Julia, Rhodes, Joshua R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Routledge 02.04.2020; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Adolescent; Female; Humans; Hypnosis - methods; Hypnotherapy; Male; Mindfulness; Mindfulness - methods; Pilot Projects; Psychological Tests; Stress, Psychological - psychology; Stress, Psychological - therapy; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0020-7144; 1744-5183
• DOI: 10.1080/00207144.2020.1722028

The feasibility of mindful hypnotherapy (MH) intervention for stress reduction was investigated in a randomized trial. Forty-two college-age participants with elevated stress were randomized into MH intervention or wait-list control condition. MH participants completed an 8-week intervention with 1-hour individual sessions and self-hypnosis audio recordings for daily mindfulness. Results indicated excellent feasibility, determined by participant satisfaction, treatment adherence (84% compliance rate), and low rate of adverse events (4.5%). There were significant differences between the MH and control groups postintervention, with the mindful hypnotherapy intervention resulting in significant and large decrease in perceived distress, p < .001, 15.35 (1.54), Hedge's g = − 1.14, and increase in mindfulness, p < .001, 50.07 (2.04), Hedge's g = 1.36. This study indicates that MH is a feasible intervention for stress reduction and increasing mindfulness.