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Electrophysiological Alterations During Hypnosis for Ego-Enhancement: A Preliminary Investigation

American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, Apr 2004 by Stevens, Larry, Brady, Brian, Goon, Angela, Adams, Deanna, Et al

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It is interesting to note that most of the contemporary research which has identified discrete EEG markers of hypnosis has employed extreme hypnotizability categories (e.g., very highs for Sabourin, et al., 1990, for Graffin, et al., 1995, and for DePascalis, 1999) and/or has matched across multiple measures (e.g., Sabourin, et al., 1990 and DePascalis, 1999). While this approach of studying primarily extreme and pure hypnotizability groups is important at this early stage of this body of research in delineating and clarifying the "EEG signature of hypnotic trance," it is likely that the electrophysiological changes occurring during hypnosis for the majority of moderate hypnotizable patients will be much less dramatic. If, however, the characteristics of this signature4 can be more precisely and accurately specified and if indeed such electrophysiological alterations are associated with heightened responsiveness to therapeutic suggestions (which has yet to be demonstrated), then, utilizing sophisticated EEG measurement and ncurofeedback technology and specialized hypnotic induction procedures, the possibility exists for the generation of a similar fundamental profile in moderates and lows and the potential heightening of responsivity in these patients. Perhaps this is precisely what the masters of clinical hypnosis do during effective trancework. These exciting possibilities await further research.

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1 The Imaginative Involvement Scale (Davis, Dawson, & Seay, 1978) was completed as a part of another study on measures ol hypnotic susceptibility. Results of scoring this instrument are not considered in the present study.

2 Although the NRS-2D records and reports EEG data averages across a session for two channels, epoch-by-epoch data are only available for analysis on one channel, in this case at Fz. Consequently, this study presents data from only the Fz channel. Fz may well be the best location for single-site recording of EEG changes during hypnosis since sites on either side of Fz, i.e., F3 and F4, have been reported in research to be sensitive to theta power changes during hypnosis (Crawford & Gruzelier, 1992).

3 The Spiegel Eye Roll induction technique involves a tensing and holding of muscle tension for several seconds in the facial muscles followed by a release of this tension and enters considerable muscle artifact into the EEG recordings. Consequently, EEG epochs containing muscle artifact were excluded from analysis through the artifacting process so that only epochs following the release and relaxation of facial muscles were considered for data analysis.

4 Barabasz (2002) has recently criticized the concept of a "simplistic, unidimensional EEG 'signature' of the hypnotic state." The use of the term "hypnotic signature," etc., in this article is meant to suggest quite the contrary, that just as a handwriting signature follows certain universal conventions with regard to basic letter configuration, but allows for enormous, virtually unlimited, individual variation across inscriptions, so the EEG occurring during hypnotic trance is here hypothesized to follow certain consistent configurations across individuals, but with each respondent providing their own unique overlay to these basic wave patterns, thus rendering the signature highly complex and multidimensional in its presentation. This notion is, of course, a hypothetical construct at the present time and merits empirical verification and reification as further data are collected.

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Electrophysiological Alterations During Hypnosis for Ego-Enhancement: A Preliminary Investigation

American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, Apr 2004 by Stevens, Larry, Brady, Brian, Goon, Angela, Adams, Deanna, Et al

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