Hypnosis reduces food impulsivity in patients with obesity and high levels of disinhibition: HYPNODIET randomized controlled clinical trial

Background The obesogenic environment of Western countries raises questions about its current management. Some clinical studies have explored hypnosis, although the current state of knowledge does not lead to definitive conclusions about its efficacy. Objectives We assessed the impact of Ericksonian hypnosis and self-hypnosis on disinhibition of eating in adults with obesity and high food impulsivity levels, compared with standard nutritional education. Methods From September 2014 to July 2015, adults with BMI (in kg/m(2)) of 30-40 and a high disinhibition score [>8 on the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-51)] were included in a randomized controlled trial. The control and hypnosis groups received the same standard nutrition education in 8 workshops. In the hypnosis group, subjects had 8 sessions of hypnosis combined with training in self-hypnosis. Disinhibition (primary outcome) and other scores from the TFEQ-51 as well as anthropometric, food intake, cardiometabolic, and physical activity variables were collected at inclusion and at 8 mo. Results Of 82 randomly assigned adults, 70 participated in all sessions; 80 participated in >= 1 session and were included in the main analysis (hypnosis group, n = 41; control group, n = 39). After 8 mo of follow-up, disinhibition scores adjusted for baseline values were lower in the hypnosis group, with a mean between-group difference of 4.2 (95% CI: 2.8, 5.5; P < 0.001); 67.7% of adults in the hypnosis group had normalized their disinhibition (compared with 11.1% in control; P < 0.0001). Differences for weight (1.8 kg; 95% CI: -0.1, 3.7 kg; P = 0.052), BMI (0.8; 95% CI: 0.1, 1.4; P = 0.028), susceptibility to hunger score (2.2; 95% CI: 1.0, 3.3; P < 0.001), and its 2 subscales also favored the hypnosis group. Conclusions In the management of adults with obesity and a high disinhibition score, hypnosis and self-hypnosis can significantly improve the deep mechanisms of eating behaviors and seem to have a beneficial effect on weight loss. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02292108.