Comparison of Ericksonian Hypnotherapy and CBT in PTSD: A Clinical Trial
Key facts
- Who runs it
- Uskudar University
- Where
- Türkiye1 site in 1 countryChoose a country to see its sites
- Trial code
- Status
- Completed
- People taking part
- 60 people enrolled
- Started
- 15 Nov 2024
- Ended
- 15 Apr 2025
- Type of study
- Interventional, 3 groupsOne group gets an existing treatment, for comparison.
- Treatments tested
- Ericksonian Hypnotherapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Record updated
- 5 June 2025
Who can take part
- Age
- 18 years to 65 years
- Sex
- Women and men
- Healthy volunteers
- Cannot take part
The registry criteria, word for word
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Who can take part
- Adults aged 18-60 years. Diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) based on DSM-5 criteria. No current psychiatric medication usage. Not undergoing any other psychotherapeutic intervention during the study period
- Ability to attend all therapy sessions and assessments. Ability to provide written informed consent. No neurological disorders or cognitive impairments that could affect participation
Who cannot take part
- Acute risk of harm from engaging in trauma discussions. Use of psychiatric medication within the last 3 months. Ongoing participation in other psychotherapeutic interventions. History of substance abuse or dependence in the past 12 months. Known neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy, traumatic brain injury). Inability to provide informed consent or comply with study procedures. Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Severe cardiovascular conditions that might interfere with physiological assessments
- Individuals under 18 or over 60 years of age. Current or past diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or other severe psychiatric disorders
This trial has no sites in United States.
It has sites in one country. Choose a country to see its sites.
About the trial
What the trial wants to find out
Brief Summary (Plain Language) The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of Ericksonian Hypnotherapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on people diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The study will also evaluate how these therapies impact brain activity, skin conductance, and heart rate.
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The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does Ericksonian Hypnotherapy reduce PTSD symptoms as effectively as CBT? Do these therapies affect brain activity, skin conductance, and heart rate differently?
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two therapy groups:
Ericksonian Hypnotherapy Group: Weekly 50-minute sessions for 12 weeks. CBT Group: Weekly 50-minute sessions for 12 weeks. To assess physiological and emotional responses, researchers will measure brain activity (EEG), skin conductance (GSR), and heart rate (HR) at various points. These assessments include a guided discussion task where participants reflect on their trauma in a controlled therapeutic environment. This task allows researchers to evaluate emotional regulation and stress markers in real time.
This study aims to provide insight into the physiological and psychological impacts of both therapies on PTSD treatment, offering a deeper understanding of how these interventions influence neurophysiological stress responses.
The 3 groups in the trial
- Ericksonian Hypnotherapy (EH) ArmTreatment being tested
Participants will receive 12 weekly sessions of 50 minutes each, focusing on tailored hypnotic suggestions and subconscious communication techniques specifically designed to address PTSD symptoms.
Treatment: Ericksonian Hypnotherapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) ArmExisting treatment, for comparison
Participants will receive 12 weekly sessions of 50 minutes each, utilizing cognitive restructuring, exposure exercises, and behavioral interventions to reduce PTSD symptoms.
Treatment: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Control GroupNo study treatment, for comparison
Participants in the control group will not receive any therapeutic intervention. They will undergo baseline and post-study assessments using neuropsychophysiological measures (EEG, GSR, HR) and psychological scales (PCL-5, BDI-II, BAI) to monitor changes over time without active treatment.
Data and sources
- Registry record
- Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
- Official title
- Neuropsychophysiological Comparison of Ericksonian Hypnotherapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Patients Diagnosed With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Protocol and Pilot Study of Two Armed Open Label Randomized Clinical Trial
- Record updated
- 5 June 2025