Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE): Quality-assessed Reviews

HF Coelho, PH Canter, and E Ernst.

Review published: 2007.

CRD summary

The authors concluded that the evidence from current randomised controlled trials was insufficient to support the use of hypnosis for the treatment of anxiety. The authors' conclusion is supported by the evidence provided, but it is based on trials with small samples and of low methodological quality.

Authors' objectives

To evaluate the effectiveness of hypnosis for the treatment of anxiety.

Searching

PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and AMED were searched to February 2007 with no language restrictions. Search terms were reported. Reference lists of retrieved papers were scanned for additional articles.

Study selection

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of either stand-alone or adjunctive hypnosis for the treatment of clinical or subclinical anxiety were eligible for inclusion. Trials of techniques related to, but distinct from, hypnosis (such as autogenic training) were excluded. To be included, trials had to have appropriate control groups, such as placebo (sham) treatments, no treatment, waiting list, or treatments not involving hypnosis. Trials also had to asses at least one outcome measuring anxiety or constructs related to an anxiety disorder, and had to conduct measurement before and at least one time point after treatment.

Interventions in the included trials included: hypnosis; group hypnosis; and hypnosis combined with cognitive behavioural therapy, routine care, or intravenous sedation. Comparison groups included: relaxation (meditational, music or progressive); cognitive behavioural therapy; systematic desensitisation and routine care; discussion or contact; intravenous sedation; psycho-physiological therapy; and waiting list. Number of sessions and duration varied widely between trials. Outcomes were measured using a wide variety of checklist and inventory scales including the State Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Impact of Event Scale. Participants in the included trials were treated for general or unspecified anxiety, anxiety related to trauma, phobia, and test or examination anxiety. The average age of the included participants ranged from 12 years to 50 years, where reported. The proportion of females ranged from 45% to 81%.

Two reviewers independently selected studies for inclusion. Disagreements were resolved through discussion.