by Tim Brunson, PhD

What is hypnosis? And, does having an accurate definition really even matter? For the past several years I have attended courses and conferences in which the more forward looking organizers decided to include the topic of hypnosis or hypnotherapy presumably lest critics feel that they were not up-to-date with the latest innovations. Similarly, there continues to be a parade of medical, psychotherapeutic, and self-help books in which the authors – many of whom are very respected colleagues, friends, and even very influential mentors – have chosen either to dedicate an entire book to the topic or at least throw in a relevant chapter or a few pages. Even so, I cannot help but be dismayed at the inaccuracy of some of their comments and/or their omissions of some of the more relevant discoveries in related fields. Specifically, my present concern is regarding the lack of an effective and accurate definition of the word hypnosis.

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While reading the first couple of chapters of Anxiety Disorders: The Go-To Guide for Clients and Therapists by Carolyn Daitch, PhD, I was particularly affected by a very short phrase. She wrote that "anxiety is not a character flaw." As I look at this set of very common mental pathologies as the human power of simulation and anticipation gone awry, I concur with her simple yet, extremely profound approach. This is a book that provides both clarity and – more importantly – hope.

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The aim of this study was to systematically review the effectiveness of music on pediatric health-related outcomes. Five electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled/crossover trial designs published between 1984 and 2009. Eligible studies used music as a therapy or intervention, included participants 1 to 18 years, and focused on at least one health-related outcome (with the exclusion of procedural pain). Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria. Quantitative synthesis was hampered by an inability to aggregate data arising from heterogeneity of interventions, outcomes and measurement tools. Qualitative synthesis revealed significant improvements in one or more health outcomes within four of seven trials involving children with learning and developmental disorders; two of three trials involving children experiencing stressful life events; and four of five trials involving children with acute and/or chronic physical illness. No significant effects were found for two trials involving children with mood disorders and related psychopathology. These findings offer limited qualitative evidence to support the effectiveness of music on health-related outcomes for children and adolescents with clinical diagnoses. Recommendations for establishing a consensus on research priorities and addressing methodological limitations are put forth to support the continued advancement of this popular intervention.

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011;2011:464759. Treurnicht Naylor K, Kingsnorth S, Lamont A, McKeever P, Macarthur C. Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada M4G 1R8.

Tony Wigram was Professor and Head of PhD Studies in Music Therapy at the University of Aalborg, Denmark, Honorary Research Fellow in the Faculty of Music at the University of Melbourne, Australia, and Reader in Music Therapy at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK. He was Associate Editor of the Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, and a former President of both the European Music Therapy Confederation and the World Federation of Music Therapy. He was also Head Music Therapist at the Harper Children's Service in Hertfordshire, UK, and Research Advisor to Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Trust.