![]() In experiments 2 and 3, 14 highly suggestible females (mean age 23.71 ± 3.0 y HGSHS: 7.73 ± 0.2) and 12 highly suggestible females (mean age 23.92 ± 4.60 y, HGSHS: 7.09 ± 0.08) were included, respectively. 29 Fourteen highly suggestible (HGSHS: 7.61 ± 0.2) females (mean age 23.36 ± 2.7 y) participated in the main (first) experiment. Suggestibility to hypnosis was verified by the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility (HGSHS) prior to the experiment (cutoff score for high suggestibility: HGSHS ≥ 7). Only females were recruited to avoid gender effects. Furthermore, we observed no beneficial effects of the hypnotic suggestion on subsequent SWS in two groups of low suggestible participants who either normally listened to the hypnotic suggestion (experiment 4) or tried to simulate the effects of the hypnotic suggestion on subsequent sleep (experiment 5).Ī total of 70 healthy, German-speaking young females with a mean age (± standard deviation ) of 23.27 ± 3.17 y (age range 18-35 y) took part in the five experiments. Two additional groups of suggestible females assured that the effects of the hypnotic agent were not purely the result of mere expectancy effects (experiment 2) or demand characteristics of the experiment (experiment 3). We show that the hypnotic suggestion increases the amount of SWS and SWA during a midday nap in healthy, nonhabitual nappers suggestible to hypnosis compared to a nonhypnotic control text. Here we tested whether a hypnotic suggestion to “sleep deeper” increases the amount of SWS and SWA using high-density electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings in a sleep laboratory (experiment 1). And finally, the possibility to induce SWS by hypnotic suggestions would be highly relevant in clinical terms as well as for healthy aging. ![]() ![]() 28 In particular, no study has ever tested whether hypnotic suggestions are effective in increasing objective measures of sleep, like the amount of SWS or SWA. 16 – 18 However, most of these studies are either case reports or include only subjective measures of sleep quality, whereas well-controlled experimental studies including objective sleep parameters and standard polysomnography are lacking. 20 – 25 In therapeutical contexts, hypnosis has been proven an effective tool in reducing pain, anxiety, and stress-related disorders, 26, 27 and several studies provide evidence for a beneficial effect of hypnosis on sleep disturbances and insomnias. They can include decrease of pain, motor paralysis, or posthypnotic amnesia, and recent cognitive neuroscience research has successfully demonstrated effects of these suggestions on underlying brain activation using objective neuroimaging methods. Importantly, during the state of hypnosis, suggestible subjects respond more easily to hypnotic suggestions, which are statements given during induction or afterwards, intended to change or influence behavior. 16 – 18 Although there are different definitions of hypnosis, Oakley and Halligan 19 define hypnosis as a state of changed mental activity after an induction procedure that mainly encompasses a state of focused attention and absorption. ![]() One nonpharmacological approach to improve sleep is hypnosis. 14, 15 Thus, the development of efficient and risk-free approaches to improve sleep and particularly SWS are highly warranted. 12, 13 Furthermore, frequently prescribed sleep-inducing drugs typically hinder the occurrence of SWS, lose their efficacy during long-term treatment, have adverse side effects, and often are associated with a high risk of addiction. 7 – 11 Importantly, both the amount of SWS and SWA are strongly reduced across the lifespan, and the reduction in SWS has been linked to age-related prefrontal brain atrophy and memory impairments. 1 – 6 In particular, slow wave sleep (SWS) has proven vital for health and well-being, and slow wave activity (SWA) during SWS benefits both the immune system as well as cognitive functions and brain plasticity. Disturbed and insufficient sleep is strongly associated with several major diseases including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obesity, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, and Alzheimer disease. Sleep disturbances are highly common and present a major challenge for modern societies.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |