Enhancing hypnotizability for pain
A recent study by Stanford Medicine researchers, published in Nature Mental Health on January 4, 2024, has found a novel way to temporarily increase hypnotizability in patients with chronic pain, potentially enhancing the effectiveness of hypnotherapy. The key findings of the study are:
Enhancing Hypnotizability: The research demonstrated that brief electrical stimulation to the brain could increase a person's susceptibility to hypnosis for about one hour.
Methodology: The team used transcranial magnetic stimulation, applying electrical pulses to a specific area in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The process involved two 46-second applications delivering 800 pulses of electricity, tailored to the unique brain structure of each participant.
Target Group: The study focused on individuals with fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition, who were not highly hypnotizable.
Results: Participants who received the neurostimulation showed a statistically significant increase in hypnotizability, scoring roughly one point higher on a standard measure of hypnotizability. This effect lasted for up to one hour, while the control group showed no change.
Implications for Hypnotherapy: Hypnosis is known to be effective for treating various symptoms and disorders, particularly pain. This finding opens up the possibility of using hypnosis more effectively, especially for individuals who are less susceptible to hypnosis.
Future Research: The researchers plan to investigate whether different dosages of neurostimulation could further enhance hypnotizability and are interested in applying this technique to a more diverse range of conditionsββββββ.
Source: This Treatment May Make Hypnosis More Effective for Chronic Pain