Hypnosis and autohypnosis for the treatment of asthma.

2 controlled studies were conducted into the use of hypnosis in asthma patients. Several different control procedures were used. The methods and results of both studies were summarized, and the same conclusion was reached: that hypnosis supplemented by autohypnosis was significantly more effective than control procedures. An outline is given of details of treatment methods. A current xnalysis of patients treated at 1 center, involving up to 6 years of follow-up, is presented to provide a working guide to the regime in regular practice. To be fuUy effective hypnosis should be employed before steroids are started. Steroid-dependent asthma is rarely totally relieved by hypnotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]