The Role of Ericksonian Hypnosis in Reducing Essential and Secondary Hypertension

Hypertension is a public health problem. This problem can be ameliorated by formulating a correct diagnosis, by establishing an adequate medical treatment and by using hypnotherapeutic techniques that are well received by the patients. Once applying the medical and hypnotherapeutic treatment, patients must also understand the importance of improving their lifestyles (diet, physical exercises, etc.). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of Ericksonian hypnosis intervention in treating hypertensive patients (N = 80). After participating to a psychotherapeutic program the patients in the experimental group reported a series of changes for the quality of life that are related to reducing essential and secondary hypertension (U = 23.7; N = 52, p < 0.05 two-tailed). Also the scores reporting the stress perceived by the patients in the experimental group are lower than the scores reported at the beginning (U = 109.5, N = 52; p = 0.003).