Researchers from the State University of New York at Syracuse explored the efficacy of hypnosis for insomnia in school age children. A retrospective chart review was performed for 84 children and adolescents with insomnia, excluding those with central or obstructive sleep apnea.
All patients were offered and accepted instruction in self-hypnosis for treatment of insomnia, and for other symptoms if it was felt that these were amenable to therapy through hypnosis. Seventy-five patients returned for follow-up after the first hypnosis session. Their mean age was 12 years (range, 7-17). When insomnia did not resolve after the first instruction session, patients were offered the opportunity to use hypnosis to gain insight into the cause.
The study found that younger children were more likely to report that the insomnia was related to fears. Two or fewer hypnosis sessions were provided to 68% of the patients. Of the 70 patients reporting a delay in sleep onset of more than 30 minutes, 90% reported a reduction in sleep onset time following hypnosis. Of the 21 patients reporting nighttime awakenings more than once a week, 52% reported resolution of the awakenings and 38% reported improvement.
Additionally, somatic complaints amenable to hypnosis were reported by 41%, including chest pain, dyspnea, functional abdominal pain, habit cough, headaches, and vocal cord dysfunction. Among these patients, 87% reported improvement or resolution of the somatic complaints following hypnosis.
The study concludes that the use of hypnosis appears to be an effective and efficient form of therapy for insomnia in school-age children.
Citation: Anbar RD, Slothower MP. Hypnosis for treatment of insomnia in school-age children: a retrospective chart review. BIOMED CENTRAL Pediatrics. 2006 Aug 16; 6: 23. anbarr@upstate.edu
Posted: 12/29/2006
This article provided by The International Hypnosis Research Institute.
Enter your email address to subscribe to the IHRI Newsletter.
Reducing MigrainesStop A Migraine From Developing!This hypnosissession is an invaluable tool to eliminate a migraine, naturally, before it gets started. Listen to it when you first feel like a migraine is coming on, to diffuse the pain and return to normal.
|
ForgivenessThe Power to Forgive!During this hypnosis session,you’ll bypass the critical conscious mind that holds onto your hurts& access the perspective of the deep inner mind.You’ll be invited to see the perfection in the situation that you want to forgive!
|
Emotional FreedomEmotional Freedom! This hypnosis session is designed to gently release the negative & corrosive emotions you are carrying around with you. Free yourself from the past and you’ll be able to focus on moving forward with your life!
|