CLINICAL HYPNOSIS AS AN ADJUNCTIVE TOOL IN THE TREATMENT OF ANXIETY, MOOD AND SLEEP DISORDERS: A NARRATIVE REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63330/sasciencesv6n2-239Keywords:
Anxiety, Depression, Hypnosis, Mental Disorders, Narrative ReviewAbstract
Clinical hypnosis has been investigated as a non-pharmacological intervention in mental health, but its incorporation into clinical practice still faces resistance. This narrative review analyzed evidence on the efficacy of hypnosis in anxiety disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and insomnia, as well as investigating neurophysiological mechanisms and the potential of hypnosis as an adjunct to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, Cochrane CENTRAL, LILACS, and SciELO databases were consulted, with publications from 2014 to 2026. The most consistent evidence refers to the management of anxiety and pain in invasive procedures, with a small to moderate effect. For depression, there is insufficient evidence to recommend hypnosis alone, but combination with CBT demonstrates consistent advantages. For PTSD and insomnia, findings are favorable but limited by methodological heterogeneity. Neuroimaging studies suggest that hypnosis modulates distributed brain networks, with connectivity changes in executive control and salience networks. It is concluded that clinical hypnosis is a useful adjunctive tool in specific conditions, especially when integrated with established psychotherapeutic approaches.
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