News -hayfever

Swiss study shows hayfever responds well to hypnosis

New research in Switzerland has shown that hypnotherapy can help hay fever suffers.

The study took place at the University of Basel where a randomised controlled trial was conducted on a group of volunteers.

Those taking part were taught self-hypnosis as a way of inducing relaxation and the study took place over two consecutive pollen seasons.

University of Basel

Among factors examined were pollinosis symptoms from diaries and retrospective assessments, information about nasal flow under hypnosis as well as restrictions in well-being and use of anti-allergic medication.

The outcome indicated that hypnosis is a useful adjunct in the treatment of conditions where allergies have a major influence. During the study the Basle researchers a total 79 patients, aged from 19 to 54 years were investigated.

A majority of the volunteers, 41 out of 79, were men. Volunteers ranged from suffering moderate to severe allergic rhinitis to grass or birch pollen of at least two years duration and mild allergic asthma.

All were taught self-hypnosis while continuing with standard anti-allergic pharmacological treatment.

Of the 79 randomised patients, 66 completed one pollen season, and 52 completed two seasons.

Evidence from the volunteers’ VAS scores – Visual Analogue Scale used to measure the intensity of pain – showed significant improvements in Year One in patients who had learned self-hypnosis.

Significant improvements however were also achieved by the control group in Year Two - after its volunteers also learned self-hypnosis.

Posted April 2005