Biofeedback & Hypnosis

     As a quick introduction, I offer these notes concerning biofeedback and hypnosis.  As treatment options within the realm of complementary and alternative medicine, these two therapies tend to be known in the sense that people have heard of them, however, they are somewhat unclear as to what the treatments actually include.

Biofeedback: with the assistance of different sensors and equipment, biofeedback helps clients control their body’s functions, actions, and reactions to certain stimuli (Mayo, 2013).

     For example, through the application of biofeedback, clients have learned to better handle anxiety and depression, they have also become more effective at reducing the onset of migraine headaches (Gantenbein, Afra, Jenni, Sandor, 2012).

     Research has given us evidence that biofeedback is also extremely effective in the areas of hypertension, certain dental disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and even urinary incontinence in men (Freeman, 2009).  

     There is strong evidence that biofeedback practitioners have been able to even reduce pain levels from disease and chronic injuries (Kapitza, Passie, Bernateck, & Karst, 2010) and improve symptoms of asthma, epilepsy, insomnia, tinnitus, PTSD, and traumatic brain injury, just to name a few (Freeman, 2009). 

Hypnosis:  instead of a loss of mental control, hypnosis is actually a state of heightened concentration, focus, and attention (Freeman, 2009).  

     Although there are different theories as to the means by which hypnosis is successful in clinical use, the evidence demonstrates that it is effective for a growing number of patients and allows positive influence of physiological actions within the body (Freeman, 2009).

     Researchers have demonstrated hypnosis to be effective for patients dealing with immediate and chronic pain such as the pain associated with surgery and recovery (Wissink & Hagopian, 2013), as well as gastro-intestinal issues (Chiarioni, Palsson, & Whitehead, 2008), depression (Alladin, 2010), skin diseases (Bhuchar, Katta, & Wolf, 2012), anxiety, stress, and sleep disorders to name a few (ASCH, 2010).

     Researchers and caregivers understand that hypnosis and hypnotherapy seem to work better for some, and not as well for others.  They also recognize that it seems to be most effective in a variety of uses when applied in concert with other treatment options (Bhuchar, et al, 2012).  Therefore, hypnosis may not be for everyone.

References & Resources:

Alladin, A. (2010). Evidence-based hypnotherapy for depression. The International Journal Of Clinical And Experimental Hypnosis, 58(2), 165-185. doi:10.1080/00207140903523194  http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=abdb6e1d-673e-4e31-a3c7-428bcf3ec7ca%40sessionmgr114&vid=3&hid=115

 American Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH). (2010).  Retrieved from http://www.asch.net/

 
Freeman, L.W. (2009) Mosby's complementary & alternative medicine: A research-based approach. (3rd ed). St. Louis, MO: Mosby. 
 
Mayo Clinic. (2012, November 20).  Hypnosis.  Retrieved from
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypnosis/MY01020


The Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, Inc.  http://www.aapb.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1

Chiarioni, G., Palsson, O., & Whitehead, W. (2008). Hypnosis and upper digestive function and disease. World Journal of Gastroenterology: WJG,14(41), 6276-6284.  http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=de761129-fcf2-40a7-a24c-a668afc98d54%40sessionmgr114&vid=4&hid=17

NHS Choices (2013, January 16).  Hypnotherapy.  Retrieved from http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/hypnotherapy/Pages/Introduction.aspx


Bhuchar, S., Katta, R., & Wolf, J. (2012). Complementary and alternative medicine in dermatology: an overview of selected modalities for the practicing dermatologist. American Journal Of Clinical Dermatology,13(5), 311-317. doi:10.2165/11597560-000000000-00000  http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=de761129-fcf2-40a7-a24c-a668afc98d54%40sessionmgr114&vid=6&hid=110

Gantenbein, A. R., Afra, J., Jenni, W., & Sandor, P. S. (2012). Complementary and alternative treatments for migraine. Techniques In Regional Anesthesia And Pain Management, 1676-81. doi:10.1053/j.trap.2012.11.011  http://www.techreganesth.org/article/S1084-208X(12)00012-2/abstract

Kapitza, K., Passie, T., Bernateck, M., & Karst, M. (2010). First Non-Contingent Respiratory Biofeedback Placebo versus Contingent Biofeedback in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind Trial. Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback, 35(3), 207-217.  http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=9a78dd60-79c5-4e9c-9f55-1f199f8dfce2%40sessionmgr14&vid=6&hid=101

Majumdar, S., Thompson, W., Ahmad, N., Gordon, C., & Addison, C. (2013). The use and effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicine for pain in sickle cell anemia. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 19184-187. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2013.05.003 http://www.sciencedirect.com.proxy1.ncu.edu/science/article/pii/S174438811300039X

Mayo Clinic. (2013, January 26).  Biofeedback:  Using your mind to improve your health.  Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/biofeedback/my01072

Seibert, A. (2012, May 10).  Overview of Biofeedback.  Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/biofeedback-therapy-uses-benefits

Wissink, T., & Hagopian, B. (2013). Mounting Evidence on the Benefits of Perioperative Hypnosis. Integrative Medicine Alert, 16(3), 27-30.  http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/detail?vid=3&sid=de761129-fcf2-40a7-a24c-a668afc98d54%40sessionmgr114&hid=101&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmU%3d#db=s3h&AN=85930389