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A comparison of two single session hypnosis methods to accomplish tobacco cigarette smoking cessation: Relaxation hypnosis versus Herbert Spiegel's method

Thomas G Chiodetti, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Abstract

This study explores the use of single session hypnosis in the treatment of tobacco cigarette smoking cessation. A volunteer subject pool of 75 subjects was divided into three groups. One group received a single session relaxation hypnosis method with positive, future-oriented suggestions. The second group received Herbert Spiegel's single session hypnosis method (Spiegel, 1978). The third group was a modified waiting list control group. One week post-treatment results show cessation rates of 40% for relaxation hypnosis, 22% for the Spiegel method, and 5% for the no treatment control group. These rates declined at one month to 26%, 15% and 0%, respectively. Cessation rates reduced further at three months and remained the same at six months; relaxation hypnosis 15%; Spiegel method 11%; and control at 0%. Pearson Chi-Square Analysis showed the difference between groups to be significant at one week and at one month. At three months, the treatment effect was no longer evident and the groups were not significantly different. The secondary focus of this study was to compare the response distributions of post-treatment abstainers to those of continuing smokers on pre-treatment questionnaires. Significant differences indicate that abstainers had higher scores on five Multi-Dimensional Personality Questionnaire scales (Tellegen, 1982). Three scales (Absorption, Social Potency and Positive Affectivity) were significant at all follow-up periods. Two others (Well-Being and Well-Being II) were significant at one month and at one week and one month, respectively. Abstainers versus smokers were also compared on the Hypnotic Induction Profile (Spiegel, 1973). Induction scores were not significant but Eye-Roll Sign scores were significant. Abstainers versus smokers were also compared using demographics, smoking history, stages of change, and processes of change (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1983, 1992). None of these variables were significant when comparing abstainers and smokers on pre-treatment questionnaires. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Subject Area

Experimental psychology|Personality psychology|Behavioral psychology|Psychology

Recommended Citation

Chiodetti, Thomas G, "A comparison of two single session hypnosis methods to accomplish tobacco cigarette smoking cessation: Relaxation hypnosis versus Herbert Spiegel's method" (1993). Doctoral Dissertations Available from Proquest. AAI9329581.
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations/AAI9329581

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