Electroencephalographic alpha, skin conductance and hypnotic capability

On the basis of alternative theories it was hypothesized that hypnotisability could be meaningfully enhanced by Antarctic isolation and laboratory controlled sensory deprivation. The research also sought to test Reyher's (1964) psycho physiological theory of brain function in contrast to E.R. Hilgard's (1976, 1977) neo-dissociation interpretation of hypnosis combined with J.R. Hilgard's (1974, 1979) imaginative involvement findings. An additional purpose was to determine the relationship between EEG alpha Density and hypnotisability while controlling for electro dermal arousal. Eight channels of EEG, bipolar skin conductance (SC) and hypnotisability data were collected in Antarctica before and after wintering-over isolation. Ss showed significant increases in hypnotisability and EEG alpha densities following wintering-over isolation. No significant correlation was found between EEG alpha and hypnotisability prior to isolation, but this correlation approached significance following isolation. Correction of EEG records using SC indices of arousal resulted in a significant correlation between EEG alpha and hypnotisability following isolation. In another investigation laboratory controlled sensory deprivation (SD) procedures were used with 10 Ss. The Stanford Hypnotic Clinical Scale (SHCS), a post-hypnotic suggestion for analgesia and pain threshold and tolerance tests were administered prior to SD, immediately after and 10-14 days later. EEG, SC, peripheral, core and chamber temperature data were collected prior to, during and after SD. A control group of 10 Ss was used to assess the effects of repeated hypnosis upon susceptibility scores (plateau effects) and demand characteristics. SD subjects showed significant and dramatic increases in SHCS scores and pain tolerance after SD which was maintained at follow-up testing. These increases were also significant in contrast to control Ss who failed to show significant changes in SHCS or pain measures. The first use of Orne's (1959) post experimental inquiry in such a study did not reveal demand characteristics that might account for results. The maintenance of hypnotisability and pain tolerance at follow-up failed to support Reyher's (1964) theory but was consistent with E. R. Hilgard (1977) and J. R. Hilgard (1974, 1979). Consistent with general EEG-sensory/perceptual deprivation/restriction research and the Antarctic study above EEG alpha densities increased significantly following deprivation, but mid- SD alpha densities were significantly lower than pre- or post- SD levels. Average SD skin conductance levels increased markedly from pre- to mid- SD and then returned to pre- SD levels. The potential of using such psycho physiological measures to determine SD exposure times for maximal hypnotisability enhancement is discussed

Efficacy of ego state therapy for PTSD

Together with a study by Barabasz, Barabasz, Christensen and Watkins (in submission) this is the first experimentally controlled study meeting evidence based standards to test the effectiveness of Ego State Therapy on PTSD. The results showed remarkable positive effects

The theory of single-session manualized abreactive ego state therapy for combat stress injury PTSD and ASD

Ego State Therapy (EST) had emerged from a psychodynamic understanding of personality as a product of an individual's multiplicities (ego States), to a conceptualization of how ego-energized and object-energized elements are bound together to cope with a traumatic event. Neurobiological studies now substantiate Watkins' 1949 war neuroses conceptualizations. Because of their severity, trauma memories are encoded in the subcortical (subconscious) brain regions which are accessed by our single session manualized EST procedure. The imprint of the trauma is not accessible nor resolvable by top-down cognitive reframing therapies. Manualized EST is bottom up. Abreactive hypnosis facilitates ego state expression at physiologically and psychologically intense levels sufficient to activate subcortical process. Thus, affect is released in the presence of supportive therapist who adds ego strength to the patient. This is followed by interpretation and reintegration. The result is a reconstructed personality which is adaptive, strong and resilient to retraumatization

Efficacy of hypnosis in the treatment of human papillomavirus (HPV) in women: rural and urban samples

The genital infection caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease. Genital warts in women can lead to cervical cancer. Treatment is aimed at clearing the warts to decrease contagiousness. Current medical treatments include repeated painful applications of acid-like agents to the warts, freezing, and surgery. Unfortunately, even with surgery, long term clearance rates are only 30 to 70%. Three quarters of the women who have experienced medical treatments express dissatisfaction. Psychological hypnosis is a psychophysiological state involving attention and concentration. Rather than assaulting tissue, hypnosis mobilizes the body’s immune reactions offering potential permanent results, greater acceptance, and treatment compliance. Our research contrasted hypnosis to medical therapies in both a major urban hospital and a rural university community. Gynecologists measured, diagrammed and photographed the warts showing the size, number and locations before and after treatment and at follow-up. Both hypnosis and the medical therapies significantly reduced the areas infected and the number of warts. However, at follow-up, nearly half of the hypnosis treated patients showed 100% clearance while only one of the medically treated patients did so. Hypnosis appeared to be at least as effective as medical interventions and was more acceptable to patients. Future research should include long-term follow-ups and the use of hypnosis combined with medical treatments