Asthma/allergic rhinitis and hypnosis.

Many suffer from hay fever. Hypnosis is a useful adjunct in the treatment of conditions where allergic phenomena play an important role. Seventy-nine patients (mean age 34) with mild allergic asthma and moderate to severe allergic rhinitis to grass or birch pollen of equal to or greater than two-years duration were taught self-hypnosis (mean 2.4 sessions) while continuing standard antiallergic pharmacological treatment. Sixty-six completed one session, and 52 completed two sessions. Using visual analogue scale scores, significant improvements in year 1 occurred in patients who had learned self-hypnosis: pollinosis symptoms -29.2 (p<0.001) and restriction of well-being -26.2 (p<0.001). In year 2, the control group improved significantly having learned self-hypnosis as well: pollinosis symptoms -24.8 (p<0.001) and restriction of well-being -23.7 (p<0.001). Daily self-reports of subjects who learned self-hypnosis did not show a significant improvement. The hazard ratio of reaching a critical level of 70% obstructive flow nasal provocation tests was 0.333 (95% CI 0.157-0.741) after having learned and applied self-hypnosis.

Langewitz W, Izakovic J, Wyler J, et al. Effect of self-hypnosis on hay fever symptoms--a randomised controlled intervention study. Psychother Psychosom. 2005; 74(3):165-72.

Comment: The two preceding studies date from the 1970s and 80s. This more recent study confirms earlier conclusions that hypnosis can be of significant value in allergic conditions, including asthma. Hypnosis has a variety of effects, including an alteration of autonomic function. In that sense, the effects can be classified as similar to those of biofeedback and meditation. All these approaches have much to recommend themselves and little to disparage.