Showing papers by "David Spiegel published in 1980"

The treatment of contractures of the hand using self-hypnosis.

Abstract: The successful treatment of a man with severe posttraumatic contractures of the hand using a combined psychological and physical rehabilitation approach is reported. The contractures had functional and organic components, as did the treatment, which involved teaching the patient self-hypnosis exercises and the use of a splint. The patient obtained virtually complete return of movement after 3 1/2 years of total disability. The importance of identifying and mobilizing rather than challenging the patient's motivation for recovery using a rehabilitation approach is discussed. Hypnosis can facilitate recovery in such psychosomatic disorders in patients with the requisite hypnotic capacity and motivation.

Hypnotizability and psychoactive medication.

Abstract: The effect of several commonly used psychoactive medications on hypnotizability in a population of psychiatric inpatients and outpatients is reported. Hypnotizability was measured using the Hypnotic Induction Profile among 115 psychiatric patients who were diagnosed according to research diagnostic criteria. Hypnotizability scores were analyzed on the basis of psychiatric diagnosis and medication received. No significant effects on scores were found for antipsychotic or antidepressant medications, or lithium. However, those anxious patients receiving antianxiety agents obtained scores which were nearly significantly higher than those without such medication. These data suggest that among a seriously disturbed psychiatric population, the use of appropriate psychoactive medications does not hamper hypnotizability and in certain cases the treatment effect of the medication may indeed improve it.