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

Summary

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.

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.

Conditions

• PTSD

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Ericksonian Hypnotherapy

Participants in this group will receive 12 weekly sessions of 50 minutes each. The therapy will focus on tailored hypnotic suggestions, subconscious communication techniques, and trauma-focused interventions specifically designed to address PTSD symptoms. Sessions will be conducted by a certified hypnotherapist under clinical supervision.

BEHAVIORAL

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Participants in this group will receive 12 weekly sessions of 50 minutes each. The therapy will utilize cognitive restructuring techniques, exposure exercises, and behavioral interventions aimed at reducing PTSD symptoms. Sessions will be led by a licensed psychotherapist trained in trauma-focused CBT.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Uskudar University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Selami Varol Ülker, Phd · Üsküdar University

• Metin Çınaroğlu, Phd · Istanbul Nisantasi University

• Eda Yılmazer, Phd · Beykoz University

• Gökben Hızlı Sayar, Prof · Üsküdar University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-11-15

Primary Completion

2025-03-15

Completion

2025-04-15

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations