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Clinical Hypnosis Versus Guided Imagery for Dissociative Symptoms in Adults
Sponsor: University of Rome Foro Italico
Summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate whether a brief clinical hypnosis intervention can reduce dissociative symptoms more effectively than guided imagery in adults receiving psychiatric care. Dissociative symptoms may include feelings of detachment from oneself or the surrounding environment, difficulties with memory, changes in the sense of identity, and a reduced sense of control over one's experiences. These symptoms can interfere with everyday functioning and occur across different mental health conditions. The study will enroll approximately 160 adults with clinically significant dissociative symptoms. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: clinical hypnosis or non-hypnotic guided imagery. Both interventions will consist of four individual, in-person sessions lasting approximately 50 minutes each, delivered over 4-6 weeks alongside usual psychiatric care. The clinical hypnosis intervention is designed to help participants recognize changes in their mental and bodily experiences, maintain awareness during these changes, and practice intentionally regulating them. The guided imagery intervention focuses on relaxation, sensory awareness, grounding, and emotional stabilization without using hypnosis-specific techniques. The main outcome will be the severity of dissociative symptoms, measured using the Dissociative Experiences Scale-II (DES-II) approximately one week after the final session. Additional assessments will examine quality of life, psychological symptoms, and the safety and tolerability of both interventions. Follow-up evaluations at 3 and 6 months will assess whether any changes in dissociative symptoms are maintained. The study will also explore whether participants' sense of control over their experiences may help explain treatment-related changes in dissociative symptoms.
Official title: Targeting Dissociation Through Volitional Hypnosis: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
160
Start Date
2027-03
Completion Date
2028-11
Last Updated
2026-10-26
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Clinical Hypnosis
A manualized, four-session Ericksonian clinical hypnosis intervention designed to develop intentional regulation of dissociative and absorption-like experiences. Sessions incorporate permissive hypnotic induction, therapeutic metaphors, indirect suggestions, dual-awareness training, and structured practice in recognizing, modulating, and terminating hypnotic states. Each individual session lasts approximately 50 minutes and is delivered in person every 10-12 days. The intervention is provided alongside usual psychiatric care.
Non-Hypnotic Guided Imagery
A manualized, four-session non-hypnotic guided imagery intervention focusing on sensory grounding, voluntary mental imagery, attentional flexibility, and emotional stabilization. Sessions involve structured imagery exercises, present-moment sensory awareness, and attention-shifting practices, without formal hypnotic induction or trance-deepening procedures. Each individual session lasts approximately 50 minutes and is delivered in person every 10-12 days. The intervention is provided alongside usual psychiatric care.
Locations (1)
ASL Roma 3 - Centro di Salute Mentale Fiumicino
Fiumicino, Lazio, Italy