Overview
- The JAMA Network Open study randomized 250 postmenopausal women to six weeks of self-hypnosis or a sham white-noise program in a single-blind design at two U.S. sites.
- At six weeks, hot-flash scores fell 53% with hypnosis versus 41% with sham, with reductions maintained at 12 weeks (61% vs 44%).
- Participants reported less disruption to daily life and better mood, sleep, and concentration, and about 90% in the hypnosis group rated themselves improved versus 64% with sham.
- Women with a history of breast cancer saw the largest early gains, with a 64% reduction in hot flashes after six weeks.
- Investigators noted adherence-dependent benefits and an overall symptom-trajectory analysis that did not meet the prespecified significance threshold, underscoring the need for longer-term research.