Neurophysiological and Psychological Effects of Ericksonian Hypnotherapy on Generalized Anxiety Disorder: An EEG-Based Clinical Study

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Behavioral
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

This study examines the neurophysiological and psychological effects of Ericksonian hypnotherapy in individuals diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Using electroencephalography (EEG), the study aims to assess changes in brain activity and anxiety symptoms before and after treatment. A total of 60 participants will be recruited from both governmental and private psychiatric clinics in Istanbul. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group (receiving 12 Ericksonian hypnotherapy sessions over 12 weeks) or the control group (receiving no intervention). The primary outcome measures include changes in EEG patterns, specifically alpha, theta, and frontal asymmetry indices, and changes in anxiety severity, measured by the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Secondary measures include emotional regulation (DERS) and quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF). This study aims to provide scientific evidence on the effectiveness of Ericksonian hypnotherapy as a complementary treatment for GAD and its impact on brain function and emotional well-being.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 18
Maximum Age: 65
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:

• Diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) based on DSM-5 criteria

• Aged 18-65 years

• Capable of providing written informed consent

• Fluent in Turkish (for hypnosis and assessments)

• Not currently receiving psychotherapy or pharmacological treatment for anxiety

Locations
Other Locations
Turkey
Üsküdar University, Neuro-Psychology Lab
RECRUITING
Istanbul
Contact Information
Primary
Selami Varol Ülker, Phd
selamivarol.ulker@uskudar.edu.tr
+90536-436-09-41
Backup
Metin Çınaroğlu, Phd
metin.cinaroglu@nisantasi.edu.tr
+90532-473-20-70
Time Frame
Start Date: 2025-02-01
Estimated Completion Date: 2025-09-01
Participants
Target number of participants: 60
Treatments
Experimental: Ericksonian Hypnotherapy Group
Participants in this group will receive 12 individual Ericksonian hypnotherapy sessions, each lasting 90 minutes, over a 12-week period. The hypnotherapy will be delivered by trained clinicians and will incorporate permissive language, metaphorical storytelling, and indirect suggestions tailored to address cognitive and emotional patterns associated with Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
No_intervention: Control Group
Participants in this group will receive no psychological intervention during the study period. They will continue their usual daily routines without structured psychotherapy, hypnosis, or additional psychological treatment. They will complete baseline and post-study assessments without receiving active treatment.
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Collaborators: Beykoz University, Istanbul Nisantasi University
Leads: Uskudar University

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov