Treatment of Anxiety: a Comparison of the Usefulness of Self-Hypnosis and a Meditational Relaxation Technique

Abstract

We have investigated prospectively the efficacy of two nonpharmacologic relaxation techniques in the therapy of anxiety. A simple, meditational relaxation technique (MT) that elicits the changes of decreased sympathetic nervous system activity was compared to a self-hypnosis technique (HT) in which relaxation, with or without altered perceptions, was suggested. 32 patients with anxiety neurosis were divided into 2 groups on the basis of their responsivity to hypnosis: moderate-high and low responsivity. The MT or HT was then randomly assigned separately to each member of the two responsivity groups. Thus, 4 treatment groups were studied: moderate-high responsivity MT; low responsivity MT; moderate-high responsivity HT; and low responsivity HT. The low responsivity HT group, by definition largely incapable of achieving the altered perceptions essential to hypnosis, was designed as the control group. Patients were instructed to practice the assigned technique daily for 8 weeks. Change in anxiety was determined by three types of evaluation: psychiatric assessment; physiologic testing; and self-assessment. There was essentially no difference between the two techniques in therapeutic efficacy according to these evaluations. Psychiatric assessment revealed overall improvement in 34% of the patients and the self-rating assessment indicated improvement in 63% of the population. Patients who had moderate-high hypnotic responsivity, independent of the technique used, significantly improved on psychiatric assessment (p = 0.05) and decreased average systolic blood pressure from 126.1 to 122.5 mm Hg over the 8-week period (p = 0.048). The responsivity scores at the higher end of the hypnotic responsivity spectrum were proportionately correlated to greater decreases in systolic blood pressure (p = 0.075) and to improvement by psychiatric assessment (p = 0.003). There was, however, no consistent relation between hypnotic responsivity and the other assessments made, such as diastolic blood pressure, oxygen consumption, heart rate and the self-rating questionnaires. The meditaiional and self-hypnosis techniques employed in this investigation are simple to use and effective in the therapy of anxiety.

A Study of the Effects of Training of 61-Point Relaxation in Women Suffering from Stress of Premenstrual Syndrome

“…The basal breathing pattern in PMS group in the present study showed irregularity, thoracic dominance; and shallow breaths along with more pauses and sighs as compared to controls; indicating presence of stress. On 61-PR, the subjects of PMS group responded by showing a shift to abdominal breathing pattern and an increase in the depth of respiration (p = 7.2X10 -6 ); and the number of pauses and sighs also reduced, corroborating with other relaxation technique [14].…”

Modulation of cellular immunity in medical students

“…The hypnotic format was chosen because the medical students were most familiar with it, and it was therefore most likely to elicit volunteers. No single relaxation technique was promoted to the exclusion of others, since the literature does not suggest that any one form of relaxation produces more reliable physiological effects than any other (e.g., Benson et al, 1978;Edmonston, 1981;English and Baker, 1983;Lehrer et al, 1980). Discussion during the relaxation sessions emphasized the commonalities among the various relaxation exercises.…”

Anxiety Is a Good Indicator for Somatic Symptom Reduction through Behavioral Medicine Intervention in a Mind/Body Medicine Clinic

“…Programs generally include training in stress reduction using both physiological and cognitive approaches, patient education, and exercise and nutrition training [9, 10, 11]. Evidence suggests that such programs are effective in reducing anxiety [12]. …”