A hypnosis intervention reduces anxiety among postmenopausal women with hot flashes : results from a randomized controlled trial.

Date

Access rights

Worldwide access.
Access changed 1/8/24.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Abstract

Anxiety is common, yet under-treated, among women in menopause and postmenopause. This study examined the effect of a hypnotic intervention designed to reduce hot flashes, on anxiety levels of postmenopausal women. Anxiety was assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety subscale, and a visual analogue scale. Additionally, trait anxiety and hypnotizability were tested as moderators of anxiety reductions. Significant reductions in anxiety were found from baseline to endpoint and follow-up and hypnosis was superior to the control condition. Additionally, ratings of Current Anxiety decreased from pre-session to post-session at each weekly visit and the pre-session scores reduced continuously. Trait anxiety and hypnotizability were found to significantly moderate anxiety reductions. These data provide initial support for the use of hypnosis to reduce symptoms of anxiety among postmenopausal women.

Description

Keywords

Hypnosis. Anxiety. Menopause.

Citation