The effectiveness of hypnosis for the treatment of anxiety: A systematic review.

Background & aim: Therapeutic hypnosis has been regaining popularity as an anxiety treatment in mainstream and alternative healthcare. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness evidence from randomised clinical trials (RCTs) for both standalone and adjunctive hypnosis for the treatment of anxiety. METHODS: Six electronic databases were searched from inception until February 2007. Reference lists of retrieved articles were hand-searched. There were no language restrictions. Two reviewers independently identified 14 RCTs of hypnosis for the treatment of anxiety, assessed trial quality, and extracted data. Where possible, between-group analyses were extracted or conducted for this review using software from the Cochrane Collaboration (RevMan 4.2). Methodological heterogeneity of trials precluded meta-analysis. Data were synthesised in a narrative summary. RESULTS: The contribution of many trials was limited by a lack of between-group analyses or because relevant statistical information was omitted. Between-group analyses presented in trial reports, and our own analyses, generally demonstrated no significant differences between hypnosis and control conditions (waiting list controls, contact controls, or other non-standard treatments). It is possible that non-significant findings were a result of small sample sizes. We did find some limited yet consistent evidence that hypnosis may be of benefit in alleviating test anxiety and performance-related social anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: The current RCT evidence is insufficient to support the use of hypnosis for treating anxiety. Given the lack of high quality trials in this area, the preliminary evidence of effectiveness for some anxiety types, and the regained popularity of hypnosis, further RCTs are warranted.