Hypnotizability and weight loss in obese subjects

Abstract

This study tested the effects of hypnosis for weight control. Hypnotizability was assessed by the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale: Form C (SHSS:C). Forty‐five subjects completed the study with examiners who were blind with respect to hypnotizability scores. Subjects exposed to a simple self‐management technique and to the Spiegel and Spiegel (1978) hypnosis intervention, modified to include specific food aversion, lost significantly more weight at a 3‐month follow‐up than subjects exposed only to the self‐management treatment. The specificity of hypnosis in the program was supported by a significant correlation between weight loss and SHSS:C scores for the same group. Subject attrition was about equal across all treatment groups, suggesting all treatments were perceived as active.

Effects of Self‐Conditioning Techniques (Self‐Hypnosis) in Promoting Weight Loss in Patients with Severe Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Hypnotizability was not a significant predictor of weight loss or other outcomes in our patients, which is in line with some studies and a recent meta‐analysis () but unlike others showing a significant relationship between hypnotic susceptibility and weight‐loss outcomes ().…”

Effects of Self‐Conditioning Techniques (Self‐Hypnosis) in Promoting Weight Loss in Patients with Severe Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Hypnotizability was not a significant predictor of weight loss or other outcomes in our patients, which is in line with some studies and a recent meta‐analysis () but unlike others showing a significant relationship between hypnotic susceptibility and weight‐loss outcomes ().…”

Clinical Hypnosis as an Adjunct to Cognitive Behavior Therapy: An Updated Meta-Analysis

“……”

The effectiveness of hypnosis as an intervention for obesity: A meta-analytic review.

“…As previously noted, in calculating dropout rates, it was assumed in Wadden and Flaxman (1981) that 11 participants per condition enrolled in the study. Similarly, Barabasz and Spiegel (1989) reported n s at follow-up, but not at pre. Because 16 participants total dropped out of the study, it was assumed that five participants in each of the three conditions failed to finish.…”

“…All effect sizes were calculated based on pounds lost except for Byom and Sapp (2013) which reported percentage of weight lost. Standard deviations for pounds lost were not indicated in two journal articles (Barabasz & Spiegel, 1989; Bolocofsky et al, 1985) and two dissertations (Carter, 1988; Stevens, 1982). Kirsch (1996) reported pooled standard deviations based on data obtained from M. Barabasz for two trials and these values were used to calculate our effect sizes.…”

Effects of Self‐Conditioning Techniques (Self‐Hypnosis) in Promoting Weight Loss in Patients with Severe Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Hypnotizability was not a significant predictor of weight loss or other outcomes in our patients, which is in line with some studies and a recent meta‐analysis () but unlike others showing a significant relationship between hypnotic susceptibility and weight‐loss outcomes ().…”

Clinical Hypnosis as an Adjunct to Cognitive Behavior Therapy: An Updated Meta-Analysis

“……”

The effectiveness of hypnosis as an intervention for obesity: A meta-analytic review.

“…As previously noted, in calculating dropout rates, it was assumed in Wadden and Flaxman (1981) that 11 participants per condition enrolled in the study. Similarly, Barabasz and Spiegel (1989) reported n s at follow-up, but not at pre. Because 16 participants total dropped out of the study, it was assumed that five participants in each of the three conditions failed to finish.…”

“…All effect sizes were calculated based on pounds lost except for Byom and Sapp (2013) which reported percentage of weight lost. Standard deviations for pounds lost were not indicated in two journal articles (Barabasz & Spiegel, 1989; Bolocofsky et al, 1985) and two dissertations (Carter, 1988; Stevens, 1982). Kirsch (1996) reported pooled standard deviations based on data obtained from M. Barabasz for two trials and these values were used to calculate our effect sizes.…”

Effects of Self‐Conditioning Techniques (Self‐Hypnosis) in Promoting Weight Loss in Patients with Severe Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Hypnotizability was not a significant predictor of weight loss or other outcomes in our patients, which is in line with some studies and a recent meta‐analysis () but unlike others showing a significant relationship between hypnotic susceptibility and weight‐loss outcomes ().…”

Clinical Hypnosis as an Adjunct to Cognitive Behavior Therapy: An Updated Meta-Analysis

“……”

The effectiveness of hypnosis as an intervention for obesity: A meta-analytic review.

“…As previously noted, in calculating dropout rates, it was assumed in Wadden and Flaxman (1981) that 11 participants per condition enrolled in the study. Similarly, Barabasz and Spiegel (1989) reported n s at follow-up, but not at pre. Because 16 participants total dropped out of the study, it was assumed that five participants in each of the three conditions failed to finish.…”

“…All effect sizes were calculated based on pounds lost except for Byom and Sapp (2013) which reported percentage of weight lost. Standard deviations for pounds lost were not indicated in two journal articles (Barabasz & Spiegel, 1989; Bolocofsky et al, 1985) and two dissertations (Carter, 1988; Stevens, 1982). Kirsch (1996) reported pooled standard deviations based on data obtained from M. Barabasz for two trials and these values were used to calculate our effect sizes.…”