A Comparison of Two Hypnotic Methods for Achieving and Maintaining Abstinence from Smoking

Although many different approaches, including hypnosis, are used to help cigarette smokers quit, a review of the literature indicates that no one treatment outperforms any other in preventing relapse and promoting long-term abstinence. One technique which has been used in a limited way to prevent relapse is the programmed relapse episode. Some research suggests that the use of a programmed relapse with cigarette smokers trying to quit may actually increase the likelihood of relapse. This study hypothesized that one way to obtain the possible instructional benefits of a programmed relapse without precipitating actual relapse may be to employ a hypnotically enhanced, imaginary lapse rehearsal focus. A hypnotic smoking cessation treatment which incorporating lapse rehearsal suggestions and imagery was compared with a second treatment incorporating continued abstinence suggestions and imagery. A no treatment control condition was also included. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of the three conditions. The final sample included 15 subjects in the lapse rehearsal condition, 13 subjects in the continued abstinence condition, and 10 subjects who served as controls. A treatment by periods repeated measures design was employed. Treatment data were collected at five periods from baseline to three months follow-up. Variables included smoking status, smoking rate, abstinence self-efficacy, and Myers-Briggs Personality Type. The data were analyzed using a 2 x 2 chi square, 2x3 chi square, treatments by periods analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and a multiple regression analysis. No significant differences in abstinence or abstinence self-efficacy were found between lapse rehearsal and continued abstinence conditions at any point following treatment. No significant differences in abstinence or abstinence self-efficacy between either treatment or control conditions were found at three months follow-up. Among non abstainers in both treatment conditions, the number of cigarettes smoked per day decreased significantly between the end of treatment and one month follow-up, but increased at two and three month follow ups. No significant differences between groups were found at any point in the study. One positive correlation was found between the Thinking dimension of the MBTI and abstinence. Recommendations for further research are discussed