Review Article
Hypnosis as A Complementary Therapy for Promoting Well-Being in Neurodegenerative Disorders: A Review of The Literature
Francesca Vescovelli*
1Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
2Department of Psychology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Francesca Vescovelli, Department of Psychology University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat, 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy.
Received Date: February 03, 2020; Published Date: March 05, 2020
Keywords:
Abstract
Objectives: Hypnosis showed beneficial effects in terms of symptom relief in patients suffering from neurodegenerative conditions. Little is known about the effects of hypnosis on well-being, quality of life and personal resources of these patient populations. This narrative review aimed to summarize and discuss existing studies, which investigated improvements in well-being in patients with neurodegenerative disorders following hypnosis treatment.
Methods: A narrative review was performed in English databases with specific keywords “neurological disease or illness and hypnosis”, “hypnosis and positive psychology” and “hypnosis and well-being”. Eleven studies (with a total of 178 patients) were found which applied hypnosis for neurodegenerative disorders (Parkinson’s disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis, etc.).
Results: Hypnosis demonstrated beneficial effects, improving patients’ physical well-being and quality of life. Hypnosis was also found to promote existential well-being and resilience.
Conclusions: The majority of studies produced improvement in patients’ well-being. This points to the possibility of applying hypnosis aimed at increasing well-being as a complementary therapy for patients with neurodegenerative disorders. More controlled investigations are needed.
Keywords:Neurodegenerative disorders; Hypnosis; well-being; Embodiment; Relaxation; Complementary therapy
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Francesca Vescovelli, Chiara Ruini, Tharina Guse. Hypnosis as A Complementary Therapy for Promoting Well-Being in Neurodegenerative Disorders: A Review of The Literature. On J Complement & Alt Med. 3(4): 2020. OJCAM.MS.ID.000569.