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Mindful Hypnotherapy for Cluster B Personality Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trial with an Active Control.

Zahra Sadeghi, Ali Khamseh

International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis July 6, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/00207144.2026.2690580 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed
Sample size 120
Population Adults meeting DSM-5 criteria for histrionic, narcissistic, antisocial, or borderline personality disorder
Intervention Mindful hypnotherapy
Duration Eight weekly 60-minute individual sessions
Topics Meditation
Keywords Antisocial personality disorder Borderline personality disorder Emotion regulation Histrionic personality disorder Hypnosis Mindful hypnotherapy Narcissistic personality disorder
Key findings Mindful hypnotherapy produced significantly greater reductions in histrionic, narcissistic, and antisocial personality disorder symptoms than an active CBT/DBT control, but no significant difference was found for borderline personality disorder.

Abstract

Cluster B personality disorders are characterized by pervasive emotional dysregulation and rigid interpersonal patterns, and they remain challenging to treat. Mindful hypnotherapy (MH), which integrates mindfulness and clinical hypnosis, may offer a transdiagnostic approach to cognitive and emotional inflexibility. This randomized controlled trial compared the efficacy of MH with an active control condition in reducing symptoms of Cluster B personality disorders. One hundred and twenty adults who met DSM-5 criteria for histrionic, narcissistic, antisocial, or borderline personality disorder were randomized to MH (n = 60) or an active control (n = 60) comprising selected cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills. Both conditions consisted of eight weekly 60-minute individual sessions. Symptom severity was assessed pre- and post-treatment using the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III). Post-treatment scores on each Cluster B scale were compared between groups using ANCOVA, controlling for baseline values. Relative to the active control condition, MH produced significantly greater reductions in histrionic, narcissistic, and antisocial personality disorder symptoms (all p values < .05, partial η2 ≈ .16-.21). No significant between-group difference emerged for borderline personality disorder symptoms (p = .31). MH appears to be an effective brief intervention for histrionic, narcissistic, and antisocial personality disorders when compared with an active CBT/DBT-based control condition. Its effects on borderline personality disorder remain inconclusive and warrant further investigation in longer and more intensive treatment protocols.

Comparable studies

Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment 2003 Randomized controlled trial n = 41
Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients 2000 Randomized controlled trial n = 145
Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults 2008 Randomized controlled trial n = 139
Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students 2007 Randomized controlled trial n = 40
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients 2004 Randomized controlled trial n = 73

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