The purpose of this study was to determine whether hypnosis would be more effective in helping smokers quit than standard behavioral counseling when both interventions are combined with nicotine patches (NP). A total of 286 current smokers were enrolled in a randomized controlled smoking cessation trial at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Participants in both treatment conditions were seen for two 60-min sessions, and received three follow-up phone calls and 2 months of NP. At 6 months, 29% of the hypnosis group reported 7-day point-prevalence abstinence compared with 23% of the behavioral counseling group (relative risk [RR] = 1.27; 95% confidence interval, <i>CI</i> 0.84-1.92). Based on biochemical or proxy confirmation, 26% of the participants in the hypnosis group were abstinent at 6 months compared with 18% of the behavioral group (RR = 1.44; 95% <i>CI</i> 0.91-2.30). At 12 months, the self-reported 7-day point-prevalence quit rate was 24% for the hypnosis group and 16% for the behavioral group (RR = 1.47; 95% <i>CI</i> 0.90-2.40). Based on biochemical or proxy confirmation, 20% of the participants in the hypnosis group were abstinent at 12 months compared with 14% of the behavioral group (RR = 1.40; 95% <i>CI</i> 0.81-2.42). Among participants with a history of depression, hypnosis yielded significantly higher validated point-prevalence quit rates at 6 and 12 months than standard treatment. It was concluded that hypnosis combined with NP compares favorably with standard behavioral counseling in generating long-term quit rates. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
This study reports on a prospective pilot trial of intensive hypnotherapy for smoking cessation. The hypnotherapy involved multiple individual sessions (8 visits) over approximately 2 months, individualization of hypnotic suggestions, and a supportive therapeutic relationship. Twenty subjects were randomly assigned to either an intensive hypnotherapy condition or to a wait-list control condition. The target quitting date was 1 week after beginning treatment. Patients were evaluated for smoking cessation at the end of treatment and at Weeks 12 and 26. Self-reported abstinence was confirmed by a carbon-monoxide concentration in expired air of 8 ppm or less. The rates of point prevalence smoking cessation, as confirmed by carbon-monoxide measurements for the intensive hypnotherapy group, was 40% at the end of treatment; 60% at 12 weeks, and 40% at 26 weeks (p < .05). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
Twenty of sixty volunteers for smoking cessation were assigned to single-session hypnosis, 20 to a placebo control condition, and 20 to a no-treatment control condition. The single-session hypnosis group smoked significantly less cigarettes and were significantly more abstinent than a placebo control group and a no treatment control group at posttest, and 4-week, 12-week, 24-week and 48-week follow-ups.
Determined whether health beliefs influenced the outcome of 3 alternate modalities of reducing cigarette consumption. 140 volunteers (aged 20–65 yrs) were randomly assigned to a control group or to 1 of 3 cessation programs using behavior modification, health education, or hypnosis. A questionnaire was used to document health beliefs, demographic characteristics, and smoking history. A follow-up questionnaire was used to assess smoking behavior after 6 mo. Statistically significant decreases in serum thiocyanate levels (a biochemical index of tobacco consumption) followed participation in each of the 3 programs. Factor analysis and reliability tests were used to identify 4 scales reflecting major dimensions in the health belief model. Significant correlations between change in serum thiocyanate and 2 of the scales (General Health Concern and Perceived Vulnerability) were found only for the group assigned to the health education intervention program. (26 ref) (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)
Studies in smoking cessation have generally failed to adequately control for active treatment effects and have assumed that measures of smoking behaviour (i.e., estimated smoking rate, self-monitoring and chemical analysis) are equally reliable measures. Sixty smokers were randomly assigned to one of four different smoking cessation treatment groups: hypnosis, focussed smoking, attention placebo and a waiting list control. Subjects were asked to estimate and monitor their own smoking behaviour. Blood samples were also taken for thiocyanate analysis before treatment. Smoking rates were similarly measured directly, at 3 months and 6 months after treatment. The results indicate that the three measures of smoking behaviour were all highly correlated. No significant differences were found between treatments, directly after treatment or at the 3- and 6-month follow-ups. These results suggest that active treatment effects may not be responsible for behavioural change in a smoking cessation program. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Reports on a randomized controlled study conducted in a family practice setting to assess the effectiveness of hypnosis in helping 180 people quit smoking. In the hypnosis group 21% of patients quit smoking by the 3-mo follow-up compared with 6% in the control group. By 6 mo, there were no significant differences between the 2 groups, and at 1 yr 22% in the hypnosis group and 20% in the control group had quit. The only significant predictor of success in quitting was a college education. (9 ref) (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)
A randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy of hypnosis, health education, and behavior modification programs and a control group was conducted with 168 20–65 yr old smokers. Follow-up data 3 wks after completion were available for 140 Ss. Each program showed significant reductions in reported cigarette consumption and serum thiocyanate levels, an indicator of long-term cigarette consumption, compared to entry and to the control group. However, there were no significant differences among programs with respect to the proportion of Ss who reported quitting smoking, the number of cigarettes smoked, or change in serum thiocyanate levels. Reported cigarette consumption ascertained 6 mo later again showed no significant differences between these 3 approaches. Factors such as S age, age at starting cigarette smoking, educational level, marital status, or spouse or partners smoking did not identify subgroups with differences between treatment responses. (33 ref) (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)
Posttreatment abstinence rates of 50% had been found in a smoking withdrawal program which included group hypnosis and group counseling. A session of rapid smoking was added to the procedures with the intention of further increasing abstinence rates. Only 13% of the smokers exposed to the combined program quit smoking as compared to 38% of the smokers who participated in the same program but with session of group hypnosis excluded. Possible expanations of the obtained results include motivational reduction, procedural deviations, and medical screening. Suitability of rapid smoking for community service programs is discussed.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether hypnosis would be more effective in helping smokers quit than standard behavioral counseling when both interventions are combined with nicotine patches (NP). A total of 286 current smokers were enrolled in a randomized controlled smoking cessation trial at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Participants in both treatment conditions were seen for two 60-min sessions, and received three follow-up phone calls and 2 months of NP. At 6 months, 29% of the hypnosis group reported 7-day point-prevalence abstinence compared with 23% of the behavioral counseling group (relative risk [RR] = 1.27; 95% confidence interval, CI 0.84-1.92). Based on biochemical or proxy confirmation, 26% of the participants in the hypnosis group were abstinent at 6 months compared with 18% of the behavioral group (RR = 1.44; 95% CI 0.91-2.30). At 12 months, the self-reported 7-day point-prevalence quit rate was 24% for the hypnosis group and 16% for the behavioral group (RR = 1.47; 95% CI 0.90-2.40). Based on biochemical or proxy confirmation, 20% of the participants in the hypnosis group were abstinent at 12 months compared with 14% of the behavioral group (RR = 1.40; 95% CI 0.81-2.42). Among participants with a history of depression, hypnosis yielded significantly higher validated point-prevalence quit rates at 6 and 12 months than standard treatment. It was concluded that hypnosis combined with NP compares favorably with standard behavioral counseling in generating long-term quit rates. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
