Basic HTML Version
HYPNOTIC ENHANCEMENT OF WEIGHT LOSS
51 9
different effect sizes from those reported in both previous meta-
analyses. Nevertheless, the conclusions that can be drawn from
this reanalysis are the same as those drawn by Kirsch et al. The
addition of hypnosis appear s to have a significant and substan-
tial effect on the outcome of cognitive-behavioral treatment for
weight reduction, and this effect increases over time.
As Allison and Faith (1996) noted, the conclusion that hyp-
nosis substantially enhances the effects of cognitive-behavioral
treatments for weight reduction is inconsistent with qualitative
reviewswritten before many of the studies included in the meta-
analyses were published (Mot t &Roberts, 1979; Wadden &An-
derton, 1982). However, it is entirely consistent with the most
comprehensive and up-to-date qualitative review (Levitt,
1993), in which it was noted that "the recent studies appear
methodologically sounder than the earlier ones " (p. 538). As
can be seen in the tables, larger effects were reported in the more
recent studies.
Allison and Faith (1996) are correct in noting that there is
"no panacea for the treatment of obesity and that hypnosis is
no exception" (p. 516). Obese people would still be obese after
losing the amount of weight reported in these studies, and hyp-
nosis appears to be effective only in conjunction with a sound,
cognitive-behavioral treatment (see Levitt, 1993). Further-
more, it is unlikelythat hypnosis would be helpful for all clients.
Nevertheless, the mean weight loss reporte d in the five studies
indicate that hypnosis can more than double the effects of a
cognitive-behavioral treatment. Barabasz and Spiegel's (1989)
data suggest that this effect can be maximized by individualiz-
ing the hypnotic component of treatment . The data also indi-
cate that the impact of hypnosis increases over time, suggesting
that it is especially useful for long-term maintenance of weight
loss.
References
Referencesprecededby an asterisk wereincluded in the meta-analysis.
Allison, D. B., & Faith, M. S. (1996). Hypnosis as an adjunct to cogni-
tive-behavioral psychotherapy for obesity: A meta-analytic reap-
praisal.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology,64,
513-516.
*Barabasz, M., & Spiegel, D. (1989). Hypnotizability and weight loss
in obese subjects.
International Journal of Eating Disorders, 8,
335-
341.
*Bolocofsky, D. N., Spinier, D., & Coulthard-Morris, L. (1985).
Effectivenes of hypnosis as an adjunct to behavioral weight manage-
ment.
Journal of Clinical Psychology,41,
35-41.
*Bornstein, P. H., & Devine, D. A. (1980). Covert modeling-hypnosis
in the treatment of obesity.
Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, and
Practice, 17,212-216.
*Deyoub, P. L., &Wilkie, R. (1980). Suggestion with and without hyp-
notic induction in a weight reduction program.
International Journal
of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 28,
333-340.
Glass, G. V. (1977). Integrating findings: The meta-analysis of research.
Review of Research in Education, 5,
351-379.
Goldstein, Y. (1981). The effect of demonstrating to a subject that she
is in a hypnotic trance as a variable in hypnotic interventions with
obese women.
International Journal of Clinical and Experimental
Hypnosis, 29.
13-23.
Hunter, J. E., &Schmidt, F. L. (1990).
Methods of meta-analysis:Cor-
rectingerrorand bias in research findings.
Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Kirsch, I., Montgomery, G., & Sapirstein, G. (1995). Hypnosis as an
adjunct to cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy: A meta-analysis.
Journal oj'Consultingand ClinicalPsychology,63,
214-220.
Levitt, E. E. (1993). Hypnosis in the treatment of obesity. In J. W.
Rhue, S. J. Lynn, & I. Kirsch (Eds.),
Handbook of clinical hyp-
nosis
(pp. 511-532). Washington, DC: American Psychological
Association.
Mott, T , & Roberts, J. (1979). Obesity and hypnosis: A review of the
literature.
American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 22,
3-7.
Smith, M. L., Glass, G. V., & Miller, T. I. (1980).
The benefits of psy-
chotherapy.
Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.
Wadden, T. A., &Anderton, C. H. (1982). The clinical use of hypnosis.
PsychologicalBulletin, 91,
215-243.
*Wadden, T. A., & Flaxman, J. (1981). Hypnosis and weight loss: A
preliminary study.
International Journal of Clinical and Experimen-
tal Hypnosis, 29,
162-173.
Winer, B. J., Brown, D. R., &Michels, K. M. (1991).
Statistical princi-
ples in experimental design (
3rd ed.). NewYork:McGraw-Hill.
Received December 18, 1995
Revision received January 22, 1996
Accepted January 22 , 1996 •