|
Why weight loss through hypnosis?
The escalation of obesity rates in this country has sparked a flurry of activity amongst researchers to discover the perfect
weight loss method. Hypnosis represents one of the more appealing methods dangled before the eyes of those who are hungry
for a seemingly easy solution to a complex problem.
Unfortunately, hypnosis suffers from frequent misrepresentation by those with a penchant for profits who capitalize on
the widespread ignorance regarding its mechanisms of action. A careful review of the scientific literatures exposes many of
the claims about weight loss through hypnosis on the intemet as overly optimistic at best and openly fraudulent at worst.
Studies showing weight loss as a result of hypnosis alone are few in number and suffer from methodological problems. Andersen
(1985) reported that following 8 weekly treatment sessions and 12 weeks of practicing self-hypnosis subjects lost an average
of 20.2 pounds. Unfortunately, the findingsof this study are questionable as no control group was utilized and the number
of subjects (n=45) was small. Cochrane and Friesen (1986) concluded that moderate weight loss was obtained by subjects using
hypnosis, but there was no difference between the group using audiotapes as a supplement to hypnosis and the group without
audiotapes. Internet claims regarding the effectiveness of audiotapes thus seem to be misleading. Both groups, however, lost
more weight than the controls and maintained the weight loss at a six month follow-up. The authors conclusions cannot readily
be generalized to men as the subjects were all females.
Mott (1982) stated that "although hypnosis is sometimes referred to as a method of treatment, it is more accurate
to regard hypnosis as a facilitator of a number of different treatment methods." Unsupplemented use of hypnosis for a
moderate weight loss may be possible at least for women, but the studies in support of this lack rigorous attention to methodology.
Hypnosis Plus Behavioral Weight Management
A number of studies indicate that hypnosis combined with a behavioral weight management program contributes significantly
to weight loss. Bolocofsky, Spinler, and Coulthard-Morris (1985) revealed that the addition of hypnosis to a behavioral program
designed to alter eating patterns increased the amount of weight loss at 8-month and 2year follow-ups. Both the behavioral
and hypnosis programs were tailored to each subject individually in the study. Bolocofsky et al. (1984) acknowledged that
"the less a person weighed at the start of the program the more likely he was to lose weight and maintain the reduction".
Hypnosis combined with behavioral weight management seems to be more effective for small amounts of weight loss. Another study
of 45 females found that supplementing a basic self-management program with hypnosis resulted in a slightly greater amount
of weight loss at a 3-month follow-up (Barabasz and Spiegel, 1989). The group for which individualized hypnotic suggestions
were developed lost more weight than those exposed only to a group procedure. Kirsch (1996) noted a weight loss of 6.00 pounds
without hypnosis and 11.83 pounds with hypnosis based on a meta-analysis of six studies. Allison and Faith (1996), however,
disagreed and maintained that hypnosis only enhances cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy slightly if at all. Long-term individualized
hypnosis combined with a behavioral weight management program appears to contribute to modest weight loss and helps maintain
it.
How Hypnosis Aids Behavioral Weight Management Programs
Hypnosis operates mainly as a way to increase participants' attention to suggestions of behavioral programs as well as
to reinforce their weight loss. Studies using behavioral treatments successfully "typically have developed incentive
systems to bridge the gap between the short-term -reinforcers provided during treatment and long-term goal of weight reduction"
(Bolocofsky et al., 1985). Hypnosis can fulfill this role by stepping in as a psychological reinforcer. Hypnosis may assist
subjects in learning positive eating behaviors and creating healthy long-term patterns of food intake. Subjects are then more
likely to incorporate the rules of a particular program into their behavioral regimes (Bolocofsky, 1985). Kroger (1970) points
out the similarities between hypnosis and behavioral treatments which share an emphasis on visualization and imagination.
The literature suggests that hypnosis is an ideal addition to behavioral weight management programs which tend to need supplementation
to achieve long-term results.
The Hodgepodge Problem in Weight lass Studies
The use of subjects of varying ages and backgrounds represents one problem that plagues studies of hypnosis as a useful
treatment for weight loss. Andersen (1985) utilized subjects ranging in age from 21-56 years, a considerable spread. Subjects
in another study ranged in age from 17 to 67 resulting in considerable potential differences between the control group and
the hypnosis group (Bolocofsky et al., 1985). The fact that subjects were not matched with regard to age could exaggerate
results of weight loss as a result of hypnosis that may more accurately be attributed to age differences. McCabe, Jupp, and
Collins (I985) suggested a tendency for younger women to drop out of weight loss programs relative to older women leading
to a possible masking of potential effects of age. Bolocofsky et al. (1984) indicated that successful hypnotic weight loss
participants were higher in self-control, weighed less at the start of the study, married, and more expressive. A wide variety
of factors influence whether a given subject will lose weight through a hypnotic weight loss program. Anderson (1985) cites
the absence of matched subjects as a weakness in her experiment. More studies with subjects closely matched on various characteristics
should be conducted to substantiate claims about the effectiveness of hypnosis for weight loss when combined with a behavioral
program.
The Time Factor
Most studies require weekly consultation with a hypnotist for 8 weeks or more in addition to self-hypnosis (Bolocofsky
et al., 1984; Bolocofsky et al., 1985, Andersen, 1985; Cochrane & Friesen, 1986; McCabe et al., 1985). Internet advertisers
who claim weight loss will occur following a single hypnotic session, especially a group hypnotic session, are frauds selling
dreams to desperate customers. Allison and Faith (1996) underscore that "there is currently no panacea for the treatment
of obesity and hypnosis is no exception". Treatment using hypnosis then is not a quick and easy way out of weight troubles.
In order to achieve any benefits from its use, hypnosis must be practiced on a regular basis for a significant period of time.
Conclusions and Limitations
When combined with a behavioral weight management program, hypnosis has been shown to be an effective treatment for low
to moderate amounts of weight loss. One qualification of this statement is that the hypnotic program should be tailored to
each individual. Hypnosis is a process by which an individual enters a state of relaxation and heightened suggestibility,
Transformation of the brain through some mysterious process defines only the hypnosis of pseudoscientists. Hypnosis should
be considered a time intensive program requiring considerable effort. The only people who claim hypnosis is easy, simple,
and quick are those trying to sell people on their program. The dearth of findings for men and studies with subjects matched
on relevant characteristics limits the generalizability of the positive findings. The largest obstacle in weight loss is its
long-term retention, but follow-ups of hypnosis as a weight loss treatment have been conducted at the longest after two years.
Weight loss tapes lack scientific evidence to support their success and should be purchased with this knowledge in mind. Weight
loss through hypnosis has been largely ignored by scientists and more studies with control groups and
large subject pools are required to understand its action and import. Hypnosis should be considered beneficial for limited
weight loss only when combined with another form of treatment,
|
