Effect of Mindful Hypnotherapy on Psychological Distress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Victor Julián Padilla, Vanessa Muñiz, Katherine Scheffrahn, Gary R Elkins
Behavioral Sciences January 13, 2026 DOI: 10.3390/bs16010107 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 5 |
| Population | Adults |
| Intervention | Mindful hypnotherapy |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Hypnosis Psychological distress |
| Key findings | Mindful hypnotherapy had a large effect on reducing psychological distress and stress and on increasing mindfulness compared to control groups. |
Abstract
Mindful hypnotherapy is an intervention that integrates hypnotic induction and direct suggestions (hypnosis) to increase mindfulness and reduce distress. In the present study, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to investigate the effects of mindful hypnotherapy on psychological distress and mindfulness in adults. Further, the study evaluated the methodological quality of the included studies. A total of five publications of randomized controlled trials were identified. This meta-analysis found that, when compared to both waitlist and active control groups, mindful hypnotherapy had a large effect on the reduction in psychological distress (Hedges' g = 0.61, 95% CI [0.10, 1.12], z = 2.36, p = 0.0188) and stress (Hedges' g = 0.75, 95% CI [0.34, 1.16]; z = 3.58, p = 0.0003). Further, results also found mindful hypnotherapy had a large effect on increasing mindfulness (Hedges' g = 1.38, SE = 0.28; 95% CI [0.83, 1.92]; z = 4.9146, p < 0.001). Recommendations include conducting research examining mindful hypnotherapy in a wider range of clinical problems (i.e., generalized anxiety disorder, depression, post-traumatic stress). In addition, clinical trials of mindful hypnotherapy should include active controls and measures of hypnotizability. Further research is also needed with diverse populations.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being Diverse adult clinical populations | 2014 | Meta-analysis | n = 3,515 |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis Healthy subjects | 2009 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | |
| The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Nonclinical groups of adult meditators | 2012 | Meta-analysis | n = 163 |
| Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse Adults with recurrent depression in full or partial remission | 2016 | Meta-analysis of individual patient data from randomized controlled trials | n = 1,258 |
| Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials | 2011 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cites 10
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders American Journal of Psychiatry July 1, 1992
- Dose-response Relationship of Reported Lifetime Meditation Practice with Mental Health and Wellbeing: a Cross-sectional Study. Mindfulness 2022
- The effectiveness of mindful hypnotherapy on difficulties in emotion regulation, mindfulness, and mental health in patients with major depressive disorder. Journal of Education and Health Promotion 2023
- Effects of mindfulness-based interventions on reducing psychological distress among nurses: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Nursing Scholarship March 1, 2024
and 5 more in the library