BACKGROUND: Few studies have compared placebo and suggested pain reduction. PURPOSE: Hypnotic and nonhypnotic imaginative analgesia suggestions were compared against a placebo in reducing experimental pain. The mediator role of response expectancies and the moderator role of hypnotic and nonhypnotic imaginative suggestibility were evaluated. METHODS: Sixty participants previously assessed for hypnotic and nonhypnotic imaginative suggestibility were assigned to one of two experimental conditions or a no-treatment control condition. In the "placebo first" condition, participants received placebo, followed by imaginative and then hypnotic analgesia suggestions.

In the "placebo last" condition, participants received imaginative and then hypnotic suggestions, followed by placebo. RESULTS: Imaginative and hypnotic suggestions did not differ significantly and were more effective than no treatment in reducing pain. The placebo was no different from the analgesia suggestions and was more effective than no treatment, but only when administered after the suggestions. Pain reduction was mediated by expectancy but was not significantly related to suggestibility or hypnotizability, the latter operationalized as hypnotic suggestibility with imaginative suggestibility statistically controlled. CONCLUSIONS: In the general population, nonhypnotic imaginative suggestions may be as effective as hypnotic suggestions in reducing pain. Response expectancies would seem to be an important mechanism of placebo and suggested pain reduction.

University of Hartford, Department of Psychology, West Hartford, CT 06117, USA. milling@hartford.edu

Posted: 11/11/2006



This article provided by The International Hypnosis Research Institute.

Enter your email address to subscribe to the IHRI Newsletter.

Eating for Health Use Your Inner Mind To Improve Your Eating Choices!Using hypnosis to help you easily lose your desire for certain foods that have been contributing to your weight gain is extremely effective.Make the right eating choices easily and effortlessly!

Tennis Master Improve your tennis skills by improving your mental state! Hypnosis is a great way to improve your game of tennis because it is effective in improving your concentration and confidence. The ball’s in your court!

Pool Master Would you like to play pool or billiards with a calm frame of mind? Hypnosis is a great way to improve your game of pool by improving your concentration and confidence.Your mind has the knowledge of how to set up shots!Access this knowledge easily!