The treatment of parasomnias with hypnosis: a 5-year follow-up study.

Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVES:

This study involves a replication and extension of a previous one reported by Hurwitz et al (1991) on the treatment of certain parasomnias with hypnosis.

METHODS:

Thirty-six patients (17 females), mean age 32.7 years (range 6-71). Four were children aged 6 to 16. All had chronic, "functionally autonomous" (self-sustaining) parasomnias. All underwent 1 or 2 hypnotherapy sessions and were then followed by questionnaire for 5 years.

RESULTS:

Of the 36 patients, 45.4% were symptom-free or at least much improved at the 1-month follow-up, 42.2% at the 18-month follow-up, and 40.5% at the 5-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS:

One or 2 sessions of hypnotherapy might be an efficient first-line therapy for patients with certain types of parasomnias.

• Authors: Peter J Hauri, Michael H Silber, Bradley F Boeve
• Journal: Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (J Clin Sleep Med) Vol. 3 Issue 4 Pg. 369-73 (Jun 15 2007) ISSN: 1550-9389 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17694725 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Child
• Dreams (psychology)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Hypnosis (methods, statistics & numerical data)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Parasomnias (psychology, therapy)
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Time
• Treatment Outcome