HypnoBox - The Self-hypnosis Revolution

HypnoBox - The Self-hypnosis Revolution
19.10.2021


Starting Point and Methodology:

For a hypnosis app to be considered as a medical device, a number of efficacy proofs is required. The longitudinal study was designed to investigate the effect of daily hypnosis via app on sleep onset and sleep maintenance disorders. Three measurement time points were chosen for this purpose.

 


During the first two measurement time points, the hypnosis app was used daily before bedtime and sleep behavior was objectively measured using a sleep mat. An alternative group (placebo group) listened to a fairy tale every night before sleep. A third control group listened to nothing.



The biological measure included total REM sleep duration, deep sleep duration, sleep duration, wake-up number, and sleep quality index (sleep score).

It was supplemented by valid subjective scales of sensation. Surveys at T0, T1, and T2 were composed of a combination of three validated questionnaires: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI).

Third-party and control variables included health, BMI, stress level, vacation/jet lag, and substances and habits that may affect sleep patterns.


Implementation of the Study:

The randomized-controlled pilot study (on the effectiveness of the Hypnobox app on sleep disorders or problems) applied electronic sleep tracking with the Withings Sleep Analyzer that testers used at home. 

Testers who were open to hypnosis and met the criteria for insomnia (sleep disorder) according to the DSM-V psychiatric classification system were studied. Night shift occupations and substance use as well as certain illnesses had an exclusionary effect.


Results:

Analysis of the questionnaires revealed a significant improvement in sleep behavior (ISI - Insomnia Sleep Index, T = 1.385; p = 0.09), sleep quality (PSQI - Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, T = 1.702; p = 0.05), and perception of everyday life (MFI - Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, T=2.138; p=0.02) by the "HypnoBox app" at the time of post-measurement, i.e., after two weeks of regular hypnosis (T1). This improvement continued four weeks after the intervention (T2).


Implication:

The hypnosis group significantly improved their sleep and the resulting perception of everyday life. Evaluating the Sleep Analyzer data, a significant increase in sleep score (T = 2.158; p = 0.02) was found within the hypnosis group. Moreover, this increase was linear by 0.5 points per night. The sleep score is composed of the variables sleep duration, REM sleep duration, light sleep duration, deep sleep duration, the duration of the waking phase, and the number of awakenings per night.

The placebo group showed a significant improvement in their sleep patterns.

The control group remained unchanged in all areas.


Follow-up results confirmed a medium-term effect of the hypnosis intervention over four weeks. The placebo group worsened again after four weeks in the perception of everyday life (MFI).



Conclusion:

Hypnosis is suitable for use in sleep disturbance problems. The greatest effects are seen on everyday feelings in terms of the degree of exhaustion (MFI scale).