What is it about?
Hypnotherapeutic research presents challenges to research design. Problems related to randomisation, controlled interventions, and threats to validity and reliability with hypnotherapeutic interventions in patient care are discussed in the context of “real world” research needs and the provision of patient care. The problem is how to meet the rigours of robust research design while maintaining essential therapeutic principles. Compromise is inevitable. The standard randomised control trial (RCT) precludes the patient-centred, holistic approach implicit in hypnotherapy and imagery therapies. Assumptions viewing RCTs as the most superior design for all health care interventions are challenged. Treatment implications are drawn for research design for all therapies regarding themselves as holistic and patient-centred.
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Why is it important?
Research designs need to be targeted at the kind of problem to be addressed. There can be no 'pure' design or 'gold standard' that all research should adhere to. Designs should bear in mind who is being studied and what is being done.
Perspectives
The design issues are illustrated with reference to two studies looking at different aspects of hypnotherapy.
Dr Ron Iphofen
Independent
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Design issues in hypnotherapeutic research, Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies, March 2001, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-7166.2001.tb02815.x.
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