Conclusions Due to exploratory design s and high risk of bias , the effectiveness of hypnosis or hypnotherapy in stress reduction remains still unclear .
Background Although hypnosis and hypnotherapy have become more popular in recent years , the evidence for hypnosis to influence perceived stress is unclear .
In this systematic review we search ed and evaluated r and omized clinical studies investigating the effect of hypnosis on perceived stress reduction and coping .
Hypnosis as a modulator of cellular immune dysregulation during acute stress.
To assess the influence of a hypnotic intervention on cellular immune function during a commonplace stressful event , the authors selected 33 medical and dental students on the basis of hypnotic susceptibility . Initial blood sample s were obtained during a lower stress period , and a second sample was drawn 3 days before the first major exam of the term . Half of the participants were r and omly assigned to hypnotic-relaxation training in the interval between sample s. Participants in the hypnotic group were , on average , protected from the stress-related decrements that were observed in control participants ' proliferative responses to 2 mitogens , percentages of CD3 + and CD4 + T-lymphocytes , and interleukin 1 production by peripheral blood leukocytes . More frequent hypnotic-relaxation practice was associated with higher percentages of CD3 + and CD4 + T-lymphocytes . These data provide encouraging evidence that interventions may reduce the immunological dysregulation associated with acute stressors
Conclusions Due to exploratory design s and high risk of bias , the effectiveness of hypnosis or hypnotherapy in stress reduction remains still unclear .
Background Although hypnosis and hypnotherapy have become more popular in recent years , the evidence for hypnosis to influence perceived stress is unclear .
In this systematic review we search ed and evaluated r and omized clinical studies investigating the effect of hypnosis on perceived stress reduction and coping .