TY - JOUR
T1 - The effect of hypnotherapy on exam anxiety and exam performance
T2 - a pilot randomised controlled trial
AU - Ainsworth, Hannah Ruth
AU - Torgerson, David John
AU - Torgerson, Carole
AU - Bene, Janos
AU - Grant, Celia
AU - Ford, Sue
AU - Watt, Ian Scot
PY - 2010/9
Y1 - 2010/9
N2 - Background: Hypnotherapy is used to treat a range of anxiety disorders. A systematic review in 2009 by Baker, Ainsworth, Torgerson and Torgerson showed that hypnotherapy is effective in reducing exam anxiety; however it was only able to locate five small randomised controlled trials. A full‐scale randomised trial is therefore needed to assess whether hypnosis is effective in both reducing exam anxiety and in increasing exam performance. The purpose of this pilot trial was, therefore, to investigate the acceptability of such a trial to both participants and examination providers, and the feasibility of conducting a full‐scale trial. Methods: A pragmatic two‐armed individually randomised controlled pilot trial was conducted. Participants, all first year nursing students, were randomised to receive hypnotherapy sessions preceding a numeracy test or to a control group which did not receive hypnotherapy. Outcomes included the recruitment rate and the number of participants completing the trial, as well as the experiences of participants taking part in the trial and the reasons why some students decided not to participate. Results: Two thirds of participants approached to take part in the pilot trial agreed to take part and remained in the trial until completion. The two main reasons expressed for not taking part included not wanting to be hypnotised and not feeling anxious about the exam. Attendance at the hypnotherapy sessions was high and almost all those who received hypnotherapy reported that they found it helpful and useful. Conclusion: This study has shown that a trial of hypnotherapy among UK nursing students is possible, although it is important that a suitable exam is identified. Given the potential of hypnotherapy shown in other settings we feel that a larger trial using exam scores as the primary outcome is both timely and feasible.
AB - Background: Hypnotherapy is used to treat a range of anxiety disorders. A systematic review in 2009 by Baker, Ainsworth, Torgerson and Torgerson showed that hypnotherapy is effective in reducing exam anxiety; however it was only able to locate five small randomised controlled trials. A full‐scale randomised trial is therefore needed to assess whether hypnosis is effective in both reducing exam anxiety and in increasing exam performance. The purpose of this pilot trial was, therefore, to investigate the acceptability of such a trial to both participants and examination providers, and the feasibility of conducting a full‐scale trial. Methods: A pragmatic two‐armed individually randomised controlled pilot trial was conducted. Participants, all first year nursing students, were randomised to receive hypnotherapy sessions preceding a numeracy test or to a control group which did not receive hypnotherapy. Outcomes included the recruitment rate and the number of participants completing the trial, as well as the experiences of participants taking part in the trial and the reasons why some students decided not to participate. Results: Two thirds of participants approached to take part in the pilot trial agreed to take part and remained in the trial until completion. The two main reasons expressed for not taking part included not wanting to be hypnotised and not feeling anxious about the exam. Attendance at the hypnotherapy sessions was high and almost all those who received hypnotherapy reported that they found it helpful and useful. Conclusion: This study has shown that a trial of hypnotherapy among UK nursing students is possible, although it is important that a suitable exam is identified. Given the potential of hypnotherapy shown in other settings we feel that a larger trial using exam scores as the primary outcome is both timely and feasible.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79958244122&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
SN - 1941-5532
VL - 2
SP - 143
EP - 154
JO - Effective Education
JF - Effective Education
IS - 2
ER -