Anxiety Disorders, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Psychophysiological Disorders, Stress-Related Disorders
Conditions
Keywords
Ericksonian Hypnotherapy, Hypnosis and Anxiety, EEG Neurophysiology, Anxiety Treatment, Cognitive-Emotional Regulation
Brief summary
This study examines the neurophysiological and psychological effects of Ericksonian hypnotherapy in individuals diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Using electroencephalography (EEG), the study aims to assess changes in brain activity and anxiety symptoms before and after treatment. A total of 60 participants will be recruited from both governmental and private psychiatric clinics in Istanbul. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group (receiving 12 Ericksonian hypnotherapy sessions over 12 weeks) or the control group (receiving no intervention). The primary outcome measures include changes in EEG patterns, specifically alpha, theta, and frontal asymmetry indices, and changes in anxiety severity, measured by the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Secondary measures include emotional regulation (DERS) and quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF). This study aims to provide scientific evidence on the effectiveness of Ericksonian hypnotherapy as a complementary treatment for GAD and its impact on brain function and emotional well-being.
Detailed description
This study investigates the neurophysiological and psychological effects of Ericksonian hypnotherapy in individuals diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) using electroencephalography (EEG). The research aims to determine whether Ericksonian hypnotherapy produces measurable changes in brain activity and anxiety symptoms. A total of 60 participants (30 per group) will be recruited from both governmental and private psychiatric clinics in Istanbul. Participants will be diagnosed with GAD based on DSM-5 criteria and will undergo structured psychiatric evaluation before inclusion. Study Design Intervention Group (n = 30): Participants will receive 12 individual Ericksonian hypnotherapy sessions, each lasting 90 minutes, delivered over 12 weeks. The hypnotherapy protocol will include permissive language, metaphorical storytelling, and indirect suggestions tailored to anxiety-related cognitive and emotional patterns. Control Group (n = 30): Participants will receive no psychological intervention during the study period. Both groups will undergo baseline and post-intervention EEG measurements and complete psychological assessments. Primary Outcome Measures: EEG Changes: Resting-state and task-based EEG recordings will be analyzed for alpha, theta power, frontal asymmetry indices, and event-related potentials (ERPs: P300, N200) to assess neurophysiological effects of hypnotherapy. Anxiety Severity: Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) will be used to measure anxiety symptom changes. Secondary Outcome Measures: Emotional Regulation: Measured using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Quality of Life: Evaluated with the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF). Timeline: Recruitment Period: February 1, 2025 - March 15, 2025 Baseline Assessments: March 2025 Intervention Period: April 1, 2025 - June 2025 Post-Intervention Assessments: July 2025 This study aims to provide scientific evidence on the efficacy of Ericksonian hypnotherapy as a complementary treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder by evaluating both neurophysiological and psychological changes. Findings may contribute to the development of alternative therapeutic approaches for anxiety disorders.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALEricksonian Hypnotherapy
Ericksonian hypnotherapy is a therapeutic approach that utilizes indirect suggestion, storytelling, and metaphorical language to induce a trance state and facilitate psychological change. This intervention aims to reduce anxiety symptoms, improve emotional regulation, and alter neurophysiological responses as measured by EEG. Participants will undergo 12 individual sessions, each lasting 90 minutes, over a period of 12 weeks.
Sponsors
Istanbul Nisantasi University
Beykoz University
Uskudar University
Study design
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
This is a randomized controlled clinical trial with two parallel groups: one receiving Ericksonian hypnotherapy and the other serving as a no-treatment control group. The study examines changes in neurophysiological (EEG) and psychological (anxiety severity, emotion regulation, quality of life) parameters before and after treatment.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) based on DSM-5 criteria * Aged 18-65 years * Capable of providing written informed consent * Fluent in Turkish (for hypnosis and assessments) * Not currently receiving psychotherapy or pharmacological treatment for anxiety
Exclusion criteria
* Presence of comorbid psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression requiring immediate intervention) * History of neurological conditions (e.g., epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke) * Current use of medications affecting EEG activity (e.g., benzodiazepines, SSRIs, antipsychotics) * Previous experience with hypnotherapy (to avoid expectancy bias) * Substance abuse or dependence within the last six months * Pregnancy or breastfeeding * Severe medical conditions that may interfere with participation
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| EEG Changes in Brain Activity | Baseline (Pre-intervention) and Post-intervention (12 weeks) | Measure: Changes in alpha, theta power, and frontal asymmetry indices before and after intervention Description: EEG will be used to assess changes in resting-state brain activity and event-related potentials (ERPs: P300, N200), evaluating neurophysiological effects of Ericksonian hypnotherapy. |
| Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) | Baseline and Post-intervention (12 weeks) | Change in BAI scores (0-63, higher scores indicate more severe anxiety). |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Generalized Anxiety Severity (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, GAD-7) | Baseline and Post-intervention (12 weeks) | Change in GAD-7 scores (0-21, higher scores indicate more severe anxiety) |
| State and Trait Anxiety Levels (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAI) | Baseline and Post-intervention (12 weeks) | Change in STAI scores (20-80, higher scores indicate greater anxiety). |
| Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, (DERS) | Baseline and Post-intervention (12 weeks) | Change in DERS scores (36-180, higher scores indicate greater emotion regulation difficulties). |
| World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale, (WHOQOL-BREF) | Baseline and Post-intervention (12 weeks) | Change in WHOQOL-BREF scores (0-100, higher scores indicate better quality of life). |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
Primary ContactSelami Varol Ülker, Phd
Backup ContactMetin Çınaroğlu, Phd
Outcome results
None listed