The Effect of Hypnotherapy for Obesity

Altern Ther Health Med. 2023 Mar;29(2):258-263.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of hypnotherapy on the treatment of obesity, which seriously affects people's quality of life. We evaluated the changes in Body Mass Indexes with hypnotherapy used to treat obesity.

Methods: A total of 230 subjects with a Body Mass Index of 25 and over, who completed a minimum of 10-week sessions, were included in the study. The participants were first identified with the information form and the Body Mass Index. Then, once a week hypnotherapy session was performed for at least 10 weeks. This study is a non-randomized prospective study examining the effect of hypnotherapy on body mass index.

Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the, dinner heavy meals and regular exercise or movement, and there was no statistically significant difference in terms of the baseline and endpoint of hypnotherapy (P = .777 and P = .770). There was a statistically significant difference in terms of sex and night feeding status at the beginning and end of hypnotherapy (P = .042 and P < .001). According to the Body Mass Indexes at the beginning and end of hypnotherapy; The initial Body Mass Index was 34.83 ± 5.81 and the end Body Mass Index was 32.61 ± 5.66. The difference was statistically significant (P < .001).

Conclusions: It has been found that hypnotherapy is an effective method in the obesity treatment. It is easy to apply, cheap, effective, no side effect potential, the advantages of being added either alone or in other treatments.

MeSH terms

  • Body Mass Index
  • Humans
  • Hypnosis* / methods
  • Obesity / therapy
  • Prospective Studies
  • Quality of Life*