Hypnosis Using Cognitive Rehabilitation Versus Mindfulness Suggestions on Working Memory and Therapeutic Alliance in Patients in Alcohol Treatment
Timo Lehmann Kvamme, Jonas Lindeløv, Susanne Bollerup Overgaard, Mads Uffe Pedersen, Kristine Rømer Thomsen
International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis September 28, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/00207144.2026.2728581 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 41 |
| Population | Individuals receiving inpatient treatment for alcohol use disorder |
| Intervention | mindfulness-based hypnosis |
| Duration | Four weekly sessions; three-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | SBCR-hypnosis was not superior to mindfulness-based hypnosis on clinical alcohol use disorder outcomes, and no significant between-group differences emerged; both groups improved in well-being. Exploratory structural equation modeling indicated that SBCR-hypnosis predicted greater therapeutic alliance improvement, which in turn predicted reduced relapse, enhanced abstinence confidence, and improved mental health, suggesting therapeutic alliance as a possible mechanism. |
Abstract
Excessive alcohol use can impair working memory, potentially hindering treatment outcomes. Suggestion-Based Cognitive Rehabilitation (SBCR), a hypnotic technique of potential benefit for restoring working memory in brain injury patients, may hold promise for alcohol use disorder (AUD). This randomized controlled trial compared SBCR-hypnosis to mindfulness-based hypnosis among individuals in AUD treatment. Forty-one participants who were at an inpatient facility were randomized to four weekly sessions of either intervention. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included working memory, well-being, alexithymia, abstinence confidence, and therapeutic alliance. Three-month follow-ups assessed relapse, abstinence confidence, and mental health. Analyses included repeated measures ANOVA, recurrent event regression, and structural equation modeling informed by factor analysis. No significant between-group differences emerged. However, both groups showed improved well-being. Exploratory analysis identified a latent therapeutic improvement factor influenced by trait absorption. Structural equation modeling revealed that SBCR-hypnosis predicted greater therapeutic alliance improvement, which further predicted reduced relapse, enhanced abstinence confidence, and improved mental health. Although SBCR-hypnosis was not superior on clinical AUD outcomes, it may uniquely enhance therapeutic alliance, a potential mechanism worth exploring in future studies.
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 |
Citations in the library
Cites 3
- Doubting the double-blind: Introducing a questionnaire for awareness of experimental purposes in neurofeedback studies. Consciousness and Cognition September 1, 2022
- Using suggestion to modulate automatic processes: from Stroop to McGurk and beyond. Cortex September 10, 2012
- Mindfulness meditation improves cognition: evidence of brief mental training. Consciousness and Cognition April 3, 2010