HYPNOSIS TO QUIT SMOKING - WHAT’S THE EVIDENCE?

Introduction: Smokers have concerns about pharmacological cessation methods. Hypnotherapy is promoted as a method of smoking cessation(SC) and acceptance seems high. However, there is insufficient scientific evidence for the efficacy of hypnosis for SC. Objective: Review the evidence of Hypnotherapy as a therapy for smoking cessation. Methodology: Systematic reviews (SR), meta-analysis and randomized controlled trials (RCT) published between December 2005 to December 2015 were collected from Pubmed and Cochrane Library, using MeSH terms “Hypnosis” and “tobacco cessation". To rate the level of evidence (LE) and strength of recommendation SORT taxonomy was used (American Family Physician). Results: Five articles were selected (three RCT, two SR). The RCT (2006) concluded that prevalence of SC was 40% at the end of treatment (LE=1). However the RS (2012) demonstrated that there was insufficient evidence to recommend the use of hypnosis for SC (LE=2) and the RS (2010) showed that hypnotherapy had not a greater effect on quit rates than other interventions or no treatment.(LE=1). The RCT (2013) revealed that hypnosis had no effect for SC beyond the non-specific effects of therapist contact and relaxation (LE=2). The RCT (2014) concluded that hypnotherapy was more effective than nicotine replacement therapy in patients hospitalized for a smoking-related illness (LE=2). Conclusion: There are conflicting results for the effectiveness of hypnotherapy for SC (SORT B). There is not enough evidence to show that hypnotherapy could be more effective than other interventions for SC (SORT B). Further studies are required to show a causal relationship between hypnosis and SC.