Hypnotherapy as Treatment for Depression: A Scoping Review

This scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of studies that explore the use of hypnotherapy as a treatment for depression, adhering to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A total of 232 articles were identified through systematic search strategies in four databases. Following rigorous screening, 14 studies, varying from case studies to randomized controlled trials, were included in the final review. The age range of participants spanned from 18 to 70 years, and the number of female participants generally exceeded that of males in these studies. Hypnotherapy was found to be frequently used as an adjunct treatment alongside various types of psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy and often included techniques like hypnotic induction, ego strengthening, and self-hypnosis. The treatment duration varied from 3 sessions to as long as 20 weekly sessions. Most importantly, the majority of the studies found hypnotherapy to be effective in reducing symptoms of depression, with some studies suggesting it has superior effects to antidepressant treatment in areas such as overall health and vitality. This review highlights the potential of hypnotherapy as a viable treatment option for depression and highlights the need for further controlled studies to establish its efficacy.