NOVEMBER 2005, VOLUME 33, NUMBER 2, Abstract 3
Some Effects of Hypnosis on Negative Affect and Immune System Response
Norman R. Barling, Bond University
Susan J. Raine, Bond University
Research by Kiecolt-Glaser, McGuire, Robles, and Glaser (2002) concluded that immune systems can be influenced by psychological interventions such as hypnosis. This study investigated hypnotic capacity and the differential effects of hypnosis using techniques of progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and deep trance on negative affect measured as burnout, depression, anxiety, stress, and immunocompetence. Sixty volunteers, aged from 17 to 63 years, were randomly assigned to either a control group or one of three hypnotic intervention groups. Participants were tested for their attitudes, expectancies, and hypnotisability. They completed self-report questionnaires and provided samples of saliva IgA, pre and post interventions. Results indicated that deep trance does significantly reduce negative emotional affect and improves immunocompetence. Positive expectancy was also found to be predictive of successful outcomes. Those subjects who chose to use the tape-recorded interventions more frequently benefited the most in reducing their negative affect scores and increasing their sIgA measures.