Comparison of Ericksonian Hypnotherapy and CBT in PTSD: A Clinical Trial

Study Description This clinical trial aims to compare the neuropsychophysiological effects of Ericksonian Hypnotherapy (EH) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in individuals diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Additionally, a control group will be included to observe natural changes without therapeutic intervention.

PTSD is a debilitating psychological condition triggered by exposure to traumatic events, characterized by symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, hyperarousal, avoidance behaviors, and negative mood states. Both CBT and EH have shown promise in alleviating PTSD symptoms, yet their comparative neuropsychophysiological impacts remain underexplored.

Study Design Participants: Individuals aged 18-60 diagnosed with PTSD.

Randomization: Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups:

Ericksonian Hypnotherapy Group (EH): 12 weekly sessions of 50 minutes each, focusing on subconscious communication, personalized hypnotic suggestions, and trauma symptom alleviation.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Group (CBT): 12 weekly sessions of 50 minutes each, utilizing structured cognitive restructuring, exposure exercises, and behavioral interventions.

Control Group: No therapeutic intervention will be provided. Participants will attend scheduled monitoring sessions for baseline and post-study assessments.

Assessment and Measurements

Neuropsychophysiological parameters will be assessed at two time points: pre-intervention (baseline) and post-intervention (after 12 weeks). Measurements will include:

Electroencephalography (EEG): To monitor brain activity patterns, focusing on prefrontal cortex activation and emotional regulation networks.

Galvanic Skin Response (GSR): To measure changes in autonomic nervous system activity and emotional arousal.

Heart Rate (HR): To evaluate cardiovascular responses and physiological stress markers.

Participants will also engage in a guided trauma discussion task during these assessments, where they reflect on their traumatic experiences in a controlled therapeutic environment. This task enhances the ecological validity of the neurophysiological data by eliciting real-time emotional and cognitive responses to trauma-related stimuli.

Psychological Scales: PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) will be used to assess symptom severity.

Study Objectives Primary Objective: Compare the effectiveness of EH and CBT in reducing PTSD symptom severity.

Secondary Objective: Evaluate differences in neuropsychophysiological responses (EEG, GSR, HR) between EH, CBT, and the control group.

Exploratory Objective: Determine if EH offers comparable or superior benefits to CBT in modulating neurophysiological and physiological stress markers.

Expected Outcomes Symptom Reduction: EH and CBT are hypothesized to significantly reduce PTSD symptoms compared to the control group.

Neurophysiological Differentiation: Differences in neurophysiological and physiological markers are expected between EH and CBT groups.

Minimal Control Improvement: The control group is expected to show minimal or no significant improvement in symptoms or physiological parameters.

This study aims to provide robust comparative data on the efficacy and neuropsychophysiological effects of EH and CBT in PTSD treatment, offering clinicians valuable insights into therapeutic decision-making. The findings will contribute to refining treatment protocols and advancing evidence-based mental health interventions.

Inclusion criteria

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.

Exclusion criteria

Individuals under 18 or over 60 years of age. Current or past diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or other severe psychiatric disorders.

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.