EEG Study on Neurophysiological and Psychological Effects of Ericksonian Hypnotherapy in Generalized Anxiety Disorder
NCT ID: NCT06811311
Last Updated: 2025-02-20
Study Results
The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.
Basic Information
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RECRUITING
NA
60 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2025-02-01
2025-09-01
Brief Summary
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A total of 60 participants will be recruited from both governmental and private psychiatric clinics in Istanbul. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group (receiving 12 Ericksonian hypnotherapy sessions over 12 weeks) or the control group (receiving no intervention).
The primary outcome measures include changes in EEG patterns, specifically alpha, theta, and frontal asymmetry indices, and changes in anxiety severity, measured by the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Secondary measures include emotional regulation (DERS) and quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF).
This study aims to provide scientific evidence on the effectiveness of Ericksonian hypnotherapy as a complementary treatment for GAD and its impact on brain function and emotional well-being.
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Detailed Description
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A total of 60 participants (30 per group) will be recruited from both governmental and private psychiatric clinics in Istanbul. Participants will be diagnosed with GAD based on DSM-5 criteria and will undergo structured psychiatric evaluation before inclusion.
Study Design Intervention Group (n = 30): Participants will receive 12 individual Ericksonian hypnotherapy sessions, each lasting 90 minutes, delivered over 12 weeks. The hypnotherapy protocol will include permissive language, metaphorical storytelling, and indirect suggestions tailored to anxiety-related cognitive and emotional patterns.
Control Group (n = 30): Participants will receive no psychological intervention during the study period.
Both groups will undergo baseline and post-intervention EEG measurements and complete psychological assessments.
Primary Outcome Measures:
EEG Changes: Resting-state and task-based EEG recordings will be analyzed for alpha, theta power, frontal asymmetry indices, and event-related potentials (ERPs: P300, N200) to assess neurophysiological effects of hypnotherapy.
Anxiety Severity: Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) will be used to measure anxiety symptom changes.
Secondary Outcome Measures:
Emotional Regulation: Measured using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS).
Quality of Life: Evaluated with the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF).
Timeline:
Recruitment Period: February 1, 2025 - March 15, 2025 Baseline Assessments: March 2025 Intervention Period: April 1, 2025 - June 2025 Post-Intervention Assessments: July 2025 This study aims to provide scientific evidence on the efficacy of Ericksonian hypnotherapy as a complementary treatment for Generalized Anxiety Disorder by evaluating both neurophysiological and psychological changes. Findings may contribute to the development of alternative therapeutic approaches for anxiety disorders.
Conditions
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Study Design
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NON_RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
TREATMENT
NONE
Study Groups
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Ericksonian Hypnotherapy Group
Participants in this group will receive 12 individual Ericksonian hypnotherapy sessions, each lasting 90 minutes, over a 12-week period. The hypnotherapy will be delivered by trained clinicians and will incorporate permissive language, metaphorical storytelling, and indirect suggestions tailored to address cognitive and emotional patterns associated with Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Ericksonian Hypnotherapy
Ericksonian hypnotherapy is a therapeutic approach that utilizes indirect suggestion, storytelling, and metaphorical language to induce a trance state and facilitate psychological change. This intervention aims to reduce anxiety symptoms, improve emotional regulation, and alter neurophysiological responses as measured by EEG. Participants will undergo 12 individual sessions, each lasting 90 minutes, over a period of 12 weeks.
Control Group
Participants in this group will receive no psychological intervention during the study period. They will continue their usual daily routines without structured psychotherapy, hypnosis, or additional psychological treatment. They will complete baseline and post-study assessments without receiving active treatment.
No interventions assigned to this group
Interventions
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Ericksonian Hypnotherapy
Ericksonian hypnotherapy is a therapeutic approach that utilizes indirect suggestion, storytelling, and metaphorical language to induce a trance state and facilitate psychological change. This intervention aims to reduce anxiety symptoms, improve emotional regulation, and alter neurophysiological responses as measured by EEG. Participants will undergo 12 individual sessions, each lasting 90 minutes, over a period of 12 weeks.
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* Aged 18-65 years
* Capable of providing written informed consent
* Fluent in Turkish (for hypnosis and assessments)
* Not currently receiving psychotherapy or pharmacological treatment for anxiety
Exclusion Criteria
* History of neurological conditions (e.g., epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, stroke)
* Current use of medications affecting EEG activity (e.g., benzodiazepines, SSRIs, antipsychotics)
* Previous experience with hypnotherapy (to avoid expectancy bias)
* Substance abuse or dependence within the last six months
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding
* Severe medical conditions that may interfere with participation
18 Years
65 Years
ALL
No
Sponsors
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Istanbul Nisantasi University
OTHER
Beykoz University
OTHER
Uskudar University
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Selami Varol Ülker
Dr
Principal Investigators
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Selami Varol Ülker, Phd
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Üsküdar University
Metin Çınaroğlu, Phd
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Istanbul Nisantasi University
Locations
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Üsküdar University, Neuro-Psychology Lab
Istanbul, , Turkey (Türkiye)
Countries
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Central Contacts
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Facility Contacts
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Other Identifiers
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Uskudar University EEG
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id
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