Research in Hypnosis for MS

With over a century of research, hypnosis has consistently shown its effectiveness in treating a variety of chronic diseases and conditions. Studies on the use of hypnosis for the symptoms of MS have also shown positive results. Early research suggests that using hypnosis to directly address the roots of the stress-MS relationship could produce even better results.

Before we begin to review the research on hypnosis for MS, however, the authors of this page want to make an important clarification –

Hypnosis for MS does not replace conventional medicine; instead, it serves as a strong adjunct to more thoroughly address the symptoms and causes of multiple sclerosis. Most people diagnosed with MS are disappointed to discover that conventional treatments manage some aspects of the disease but fall short in addressing others. More so, medical treatments do not address the stress-MS link even though this connection has now been well established.

Research in Medical Hypnosis

While most healthcare practitioners and the general public do not consider hypnosis a “serious” medical treatment, there are more than a hundred years of medical research on the effective use of hypnosis in addressing disease and physical symptoms [1].

Hypnosis is best known for its beneficial use with chronic pain, surgery preparation, and accelerated recovery [2,3]. Hypnosis has also been proven to reduce skin disorders, asthma, and high blood pressure [12]. Even anxiety and stress respond well to hypnosis [13,14] [4].

Gut-directed Hypnosis Research

People diagnosed with MS oftentimes also have gastrointestinal issues (GI). Over 65% report some type of GI issue. The most prevalent issue being constipation. (Levinthal, 2013) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1155/2013/319201

Hypnosis is considered one of the top-established psychological interventions for managing gastrointestinal disorders [5]. Gut-directed hypnosis has more long-term results than cognitive behavioral therapy [6]. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence of England recommends hypnosis as one of the top therapies to use for the worse cases of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Interestingly, when hypnosis for IBS treatments explore the psychological cause of symptoms, improvements were greater and lasted longer [7].

Hypnosis for Chronic Pain Research

There are over three decades of empirical support for the use of hypnosis for the management of chronic pain [2]. A 2019 meta-analysis of research found that the majority of people experience effective relief from pain [8]. This analysis found relief increased in the most suggestible participants.

Pain is a very common and often debilitating symptom of multiple sclerosis [9]. Another meta-analysis [10] studied the effectiveness of hypnosis on muscular skeletal and neuropathic pain. It found that hypnosis decreases pain intensity and interference in compared to controls. While study participants in the studies reported immediate relief, 8 or more sessions lead to more meaningful improvements.

This analysis of hypnosis for these types of pain is important in this paper on hypnosis for MS. That’s because over 50% of people diagnosed with MS experience muscular skeletal pain and over 20% experience neuropathic pain [9].

Hypnosis for Stress Management

Hypnosis is also used in stress management. It is also used in reducing stress [4]. 60 to 80% of the reason patients visits to primary care physicians can be related to stress [20]. Stress is a major contributor to disease [21].

Hypnotherapy has been shown to decrease stress perception [4]. Clinical studies have indicated that hypnosis can significantly lower cortisol levels, decrease anxiety, and improve overall emotional well-being [13]. The American Psychological Association recognizes hypnosis as a valid method for stress reduction.

Literature Review: Hypnosis for MS

Several studies and case reports have explored the use of hypnotherapy in MS management. Findings suggest that hypnotherapy may reduce pain intensity, alleviate fatigue, improve mood, and enhance overall quality of life.

A recent systematic review [15] found that hypnosis not only decreased the intensity of perceived pain, it also improved other physical and psychological symptoms. These include psychological well-being, mood disorders, fatigue, and physical functioning. The paper concluded that hypnosis for MS provided more and larger benefits than any of the other nonpharmacological interventions studied.

One caveat the paper mentioned was the lack of standardized protocols [15]. Another caveat was the varied types of hypnosis used. The review included direct suggestion, a combination of hypnotherapy with cognitive behavioral therapy, and self-hypnosis all improved symptoms. While these techniques are different, all were successful in reducing symptoms.  

Hypnotherapy to Address the Stress-MS Connection

Further benefit could be achieved if the hypnotherapy methods used with MS also address one of the key environmental factors - stress. Recent research has finally established the link between stress and MS onset as well as worsening of symptoms.

Hypnosis is commonly used to reduce stress and anxiety by promoting relaxation and offering suggestions for symptom relief. However, more significant improvements can be achieved if hypnosis is used to address stress more directly. As with IBS treatments mentioned above, hypnosis methods that explore the psychological cause of stress as well as ymptoms, could achieve greater and longer lasting improvements.

The authors of this webpage published a pilot study testing this hypothesis [16]. It used several types of hypnosis, including parts therapy, hypnoanalysis, and hypnotic suggestion. It combined these hypnosis techniques with neurolinguistic programming (NLP) to more directly address the core beliefs and coping behaviors that contribute to the perception of stress and to health [23].   

 The results of the study were significant [16]. The combination therapy led to large and clinically-important improvements in both mental and physical symptoms of MS. These improvements were experienced in people with relapsing remitting MS and with secondary progressive MS. As well as in those who were recently diagnosed and those who had more than 30 years of debilitating symptoms.

Barriers

Barriers in Research of Hypnosis for MS

The move of research to an evidence-based model in medical research created an economical barrier for small to medium sized drug companies. The hurdle was even greater for psychotherapeutic and mind-body approached where the return on investment is even less[17].

An additional hurdle is distribution. Pharmaceutical treatment might take 17 years to make its way to clinical practice. When it comes to mind-body research, such as hypnosis, it can take even longer if ever [25]. Thus there is a general perception in medicine that these kind of modalities lack the scientific evidence [18] when in reality, the biggest hurdle is not evidence [26] but marketing and distribution funding.

An article in the New England Journal, in 2020, went as far as to recommend that, “given the available data and the favorable side-effect profiles of these practices, we believe that mind–body medicine should be recognized as potential primary and secondary prevention and routinely incorporated into primary care.” [24]

Barriers in Prescribing Hypnosis for MS

Another barrier is the lack of prescription of hypnosis and other mind-body medicine modalities in clinical practice. It takes more time to educate a patient on these modalities. Given the often 15-minute window doctors have with patients, most physicians find no time to discuss these mind-body therapies [19] [22].  

Conclusion

Hypnotherapy presents a promising approach for reducing symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis. The majority of successful research in hypnosis for MS have focused on symptoms management. But, more directly addressing the stress-MS connection using hypnosis has extraordinary potential.

More resources and research for this modality is warranted. However large organizations with the means to support this venture, have shied away from investing in large studies in hypnosis for MS. Our own four submissions to two key research organizations that led to zero grants is one example of this.

Thus, only grass roots mean such as personal testimonials, published articles, social media, and conferences must suffice to spread the word on the effectiveness of hypnosis for MS.