Tim Brunson DCH

Welcome to The International Hypnosis Research Institute Web site. Our intention is to support and promote the further worldwide integration of comprehensive evidence-based research and clinical hypnotherapy with mainstream mental health, medicine, and coaching. We do so by disseminating, supporting, and conducting research, providing professional level education, advocating increased level of practitioner competency, and supporting the viability and success of clinical practitioners. Although currently over 80% of our membership is comprised of mental health practitioners, we fully recognize the role, support, involvement, and needs of those in the medical and coaching fields. This site is not intended as a source of medical or psychological advice. Tim Brunson, PhD

The exposure hierarchy as a measure of progress and efficacy in the tx of social anxiety disorders.



This study explored the psychometric properties and utility of the exposure hierarchy as a measure of treatment outcome for social anxiety disorder (SAD). An exposure hierarchy was created for each of 103 individuals with a diagnosis of SAD who completed a course of cognitive behavioral group therapy. Exposure hierarchy ratings were collected on a weekly basis, and a series of self-report measures were collected before and after treatment. Results indicated that the exposure hierarchy demonstrated high test-retest reliability, as well as significant convergent validity, as participants' exposure hierarchy ratings correlated positively with scores on conceptually related measures. Hierarchy ratings were significantly associated with changes in SAD symptoms over time. However, exposure hierarchy ratings were correlated to general measures of psychopathology, suggesting limited discriminant validity. The study highlights the clinical and scientific utility of the exposure hierarchy.

Behav Modif. 2008 Jul;32(4): Katerelos M, Hawley LL, Antony MM, McCabe RE. Anxiety Treatment and Research Centre, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Canada.

The effect of music therapy on anxiety in patients who are terminally ill.



BACKGROUND: The literature supporting the use of music therapy in palliative care is growing. However, the number of quantitative research studies investigating the use of music therapy in palliative care, and specifically anxiety, is limited. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research project was to examine the effectiveness of a single music therapy session in reducing anxiety for terminally ill patients. DESIGN: A randomized-controlled design was implemented and the following hypotheses tested. There will be a significant difference between the experimental and control groups on anxiety levels as demonstrated by the anxiety measurement of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), and heart rate. The experimental group received a single music therapy intervention and the control group received a volunteer visit. SETTING/SUBJECTS: Twenty-five participants with end-stage terminal disease receiving inpatient hospice services were recruited. RESULTS: The first hypothesis was supported. Results demonstrated a significant reduction in anxiety for the experimental group on the anxiety measurement of the ESAS (p = 0.005). A post hoc analysis found significant reductions in other measurements on the ESAS in the experimental group, specifically pain (p = 0.019), tiredness (p = 0.024) and drowsiness (p = 0.018). The second hypothesis was not supported. CONCLUSIONS: The study supports the use of music therapy to manage anxiety in terminally ill patients. Further studies are required to examine the effect of music therapy over a longer time period, as well as addressing other symptom issues.

J Palliat Med. 2008 May;11(4) Horne-Thompson A, Grocke D. Calvary Health Care Bethlehem, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. thompson_anne@optusnet.com.au

Animated biofeedback yields more rapid results than nonanimated biofeedback.



PURPOSE: Biofeedback is known to effect symptomatic and objective cure in children with dysfunctional voiding. While some authors advocate animation assisted biofeedback to achieve success, we previously demonstrated similar success without animation. We recently used animated biofeedback aimed at simplifying muscle isolation and encouraging patient interest. We compared the efficacy of biofeedback with and without animation in treating dysfunctional voiding, and its concomitant urinary symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared our experience with the last 60 cases of biofeedback using electromyography tracing alone (nonanimated) with our first 60 cases using the Urostym Pediflow program (animated). All 120 girls presented with urinary complaints and exhibited dysfunctional voiding on electromyography uroflow. Post-void residual measurements were made by ultrasound. We compared the 2 groups with respect to time to resolution of symptoms and dysfunctional voiding, and improvement in post-void residual volume after treatment. RESULTS: The nonanimated and animated groups were comprised of girls of similar ages (7.3 years vs 6.9 years). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups regarding symptom relief at a mean of 5.4 months after therapy, including daytime incontinence, nocturnal enuresis, urgency, frequency and hoarding. Three patients in each group experienced urinary tract infection following treatment, compared to 42 and 41 before treatment in the nonanimated and animated groups, respectively. Dysfunctional voiding resolved in 95% of patients in both groups. Post-void residual reduction was similar, namely from 35% to 9% of pre-void volume in the nonanimated group, and from 28% to 8% in the animated group. Children in the animated biofeedback group achieved success in significantly fewer sessions (3.6) than those undergoing nonanimated biofeedback (7.6, t test p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Despite our proved experience with nonanimated biofeedback systems and our inexperience with an animated system, animated biofeedback systems yielded similar results in a significantly shorter time. Animated and nonanimated biofeedback is efficacious in the treatment of dysfunctional voiding and its symptoms.

J Urol. 2008 Jul;180(1) Kaye JD, Palmer LS. Division of Pediatric Urology, Schneider Children's Hospital of North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, Long Island, New York, USA.

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