Padilla Victor Julian, Scheffrahn Katherine, Muñiz Vanessa, Lorenz Tierney K, Elkins Gary
Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, 801 Washington Ave, 2nd Floor, Waco, TX, USA.
Department of Psychology, Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA.
Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2025 Jun;50(2):289-295. doi: 10.1007/s10484-024-09679-6. Epub 2024 Dec 3.
Hypnotherapy is increasingly recognized as an effective treatment option for a wide range of psychological conditions and the psychological elements of physiologic health concerns. Despite its growing use, the mechanisms underlying hypnotherapy's therapeutic benefits remain unknown. Heart rate variability (HRV), a non-invasive biomarker of autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity and other processes relevant to the psychophysiological stress response, has been used to study the physiological effects of hypnosis. HRV is associated with adaptability to stress and overall mental and physical health. We review how HRV changes during hypnosis treatment and propose mechanisms by which hypnotherapy influences the stress response and psychological flexibility and improves wellbeing. Additionally, we highlight the use of HRV biofeedback as an adjunct to hypnotherapy and psychotherapy and illustrate its potential to enhance therapeutic outcomes. To showcase practical applications, we present a case study of hypnotherapy's impact on HRV in the treatment of hot flashes in post-menopausal women. We conclude by calling for further empirical research, particularly randomized controlled trials, to solidify the integration of HRV metrics in hypnotherapy practice. Understanding the interaction between hypnotherapy and HRV will support more targeted and effective interventions, benefiting both clinicians and patients.
催眠疗法越来越被认为是治疗多种心理疾病以及生理健康问题中心理因素的有效选择。尽管其使用越来越广泛，但催眠疗法治疗益处背后的机制仍不为人知。心率变异性（HRV）是自主神经系统（ANS）活动及其他与心理生理应激反应相关过程的一种非侵入性生物标志物，已被用于研究催眠的生理效应。HRV与应激适应能力以及整体身心健康相关。我们回顾了催眠治疗期间HRV的变化情况，并提出了催眠疗法影响应激反应和心理灵活性以及改善幸福感的机制。此外，我们强调了将HRV生物反馈作为催眠疗法和心理治疗辅助手段的应用，并阐述了其增强治疗效果的潜力。为展示实际应用，我们呈现了一个催眠疗法对绝经后女性潮热治疗中HRV影响的案例研究。我们呼吁进行进一步的实证研究，尤其是随机对照试验，以巩固HRV指标在催眠疗法实践中的整合，从而结束本文。了解催眠疗法与HRV之间的相互作用将有助于开展更具针对性和有效性的干预措施，使临床医生和患者都受益。
