Research and Science

Dr. David Spiegel MD, a psychiatrist at Stanford University says, "If this were a drug, everyone would be using it."  "Most patients benefit from the use of hypnotic suggestion for pain relief", says Guy Montgomery, PhD, a behavioral scientist at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York.  April 2, 2000 issue of the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis

Hypnosis has been proven to be successful in personal development such as weight loss, stress management and self-confidence and in sports enhancement.  These are some of the more commonly known uses of hypnosis.  However, medical hypnosis is being studied in most of the major universities and medical facilities and its use and effectiveness are being proven over and over.  Following are just a few of the medical issues which can benefit from adding hypnosis to the treatments.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)  Research shows that hypnosis is as effective as Ritalin in treating ADD in children.   presented at the American Psychological Association Meeting, 1999

Cancer   Many cancer patients suffer nausea and vomiting not only after chemotherapy, but before treatment.  In a study of 16 subjects who normally experienced these symptoms, hypnosis alleviated pre-chemotherapy sickness in all of them.   Oncology, 2000

Childbirth   Hypnosis is a wonderful addition to a positive delivery with a reduction in discomfort.

Dementia   A scientist at the University of Liverpool has found that hypnosis can slow down the impacts of dementia and improve the quality of life for those living with the condition.

Healing and the Immune System   Hypnosis seems to significantly raise the activity of B-Cells and T-Cells, both key to the immune response, in hypnotized subjects.  American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 1995    In one of the most persuasive studies yet, a Harvard researcher reports that hypnosis quickened the typical healing time of bone fractures by several weeks.

Insomnia and Sleep Disorders   Hypnotherapy has been successfully employed with sleep disorders such as nightmares and anxiety associated with falling asleep, as well as night terrors.  There is a general agreement that relaxation-based approaches, including hypnosis, are "effrective treatments of insomnia".   National Institutes Technology assessment Panel report published in Journal of the American Medical Association.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome   Research from the University of Edinburgh concluded that hypnotherapy brought about significant improvement in the physical and emotional symptoms related to irritable bowel syndrome.  The University of North Carolina is using hypnosis in the treatment of IBS by helping patients use their mind to quiet an unruly gut.

Pain   Self-hypnosis was largely successful in alleviating chronic tension headaches in 169 patients. (International Journal of Experimental Hypnosis)  Doctors at the University of Washington's Burn Center in Seattle regularly use hypn osis to help patients alleviate excruciating pain.  A consensus statement from the National Institute of Health cited strong evidence that hypnosis can reduce chronic pain associated with cancer and other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and tension headaches.  Sky Blue Dreams holds pain management classes at their wellness center.

PMS   Symptoms are reduced by 57% according to a study published in American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Pregnancy and Conception   University Medical Center- Israel found that nearly 60% of a group of women who were hypnotized during in-vitro fertilization became pregnant versus about 30% of those who were not hypnotized.  Medical Commerce Journal reported that medical hypnosis has been used to successfully reduce nausea and vomiting in pregnant women.  American Medical Association  reports that the use of hypnosis improves infertile women's conception rate by 41%.

Smoking   Hypnosis is the most effective way of giving up smoking, according to the largest-ever scientific comparison of ways of breaking the habit. (New Scientist, 10/92)   Sky Blue Dreams does private smoking sessions.  We have found that 2-3 sessions are the most effective.

Surgery   Hypnosis given during surgical radiology not only diminishes patients anxiety and pain, but shortens surgical time and reduces complications from the procedure (Lancet,2000)   Several hospitals affiliated with Harvard Medical School are employing hypnosis to speed up post-surgical recovery time.  Mount Sinai researchers who looked at 20 studies on hypnosis and surgical pain found that by adding hypnosis to standard post-surgical care sped recovery nearly 90% of the time, in terms of the level of pain, anxiety and the need for pain medication.  The Journal of Behavioral Medicine reported that open heart surgery patients who undergo hypnosis have fewer post-operative complications and accelerated healing of surgical wounds and bone fractures.

Weight Loss   A team of researchers from the University of Connecticut reviewed six weight loss studies that compared the effects of cognitive therapy- identifying triggers and defusing them with and without hypnosis.  About 70% of the overweight people who got hypnosis lost more weight and kept it off longer thana those who got talk-therapy.  The  Sky Blue Dreams Weight Loss Class at the Lake Delton Dean Integrative Clinic is very successful.  Along with information on nutrition and exercise, the class combines stress management skills, self-esteem and hypnosis.