Effects of Dry Flotation Restricted Environmental Stimulation on Hypnotizability and Pain Control

Abstract

The effects of dry flotation restricted environmental stimulation (REST) on hypnotizability and pain control were tested in lighted and unlighted conditions. Participants (N = 30, ages 18-30) were exposed to hypnosis maximizing (plateauing) experiences prior to the experiment. Participants were exposed to 6 hours of lighted REST (N = 10), 6 hours of unlighted REST (N = 10), or 6 hours of normal stimulation (N = 10). The Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale: Form C (SHSS: C) (Weitzenhoffer & Hilgard, 1962) and standardized ischemic pain tests were administered before and after the conditions and at a 2-week follow-up. Both REST groups shared significantly higher SHSS: C scores and significantly lower pain scores from pre-test to post-test and follow-up. The lighted REST group showed significantly higher SHSS: C scores and significantly lower pain scores than the unlighted REST group at post-test and follow-up. The findings supported Barabasz's (1982) theory of REST responding.

KETAMINE AS A POSSIBLE MODERATOR OF HYPNOTIZABILITY: A Feasibility Study

“…Some of this research has focused on psychological approaches, including restricted environmental stimulation (Darkjy, Barabasz, & Barabasz, 2015), magnetic brain stimulation (Dienes & Hutton, 2013) and neurofeedback to increase slow wave activity (Jensen et al, 2016). Pharmacologic approaches to enhancing hypnotizability have also been explored, with several agents showing potential benefit, including nitrous oxide (Whalley & Brooks, 2009), cannabis (Kelly, Fisher, & Kelly, 1978), low amounts of ethanol (Semmens-Wheeler, Dienes, & Duka, 2013), diazepam (Gibson, Corcoran, & Curran, 1977), oxytocin (Bryant, Hung, Dobson-Stone, & Schofied, 2013; Bryant, Hung, Guastella, & Mitchell, 2012; Bryant & Hung, 2013), and methylphenidate (Lotan, Bonne, & Abramowitz, 2015).…”

How to ruin a decent study with SHIFTy reporting: A commentary on Faerman et al. (2024)

“…Thus, it makes sense to look for ways to enhance patients' hypnotizability in order to improve clinical response to hypnosis-based treatment. Over the years multiple such interventions have been assessed, such as hypnotizability trainings (Gfeller et al, 1987), altering expectancy (Kirsch et al, 1999;Wickless & Kirsch, 1989), and using sensory deprivation (Darakjy et al, 2015). While there were some promising results, none of these interventions have been taken up in clinical practice.…”