Clinically Referenced Advantage: Why After-Care & Tailoring Improve Outcomes
Nordlys combines personalized hypnotic suggestions with structured self-hypnosis after-care. This two-phase method is supported by peer-reviewed research showing better symptom control, skill transfer, and sustained results.
After-Care That Teaches Self-Hypnosis
Major clinical reviews emphasize that “all hypnosis is really self-hypnosis,” recommending clinicians teach patients ongoing self-hypnosis for symptom management and maintenance between visits.
- Builds self-efficacy and control over attention and comfort
- Extends benefits beyond the clinic through brief daily practice
Reference: Spiegel D. Tranceformations: Hypnosis in Brain & Body. Depression & Anxiety, 2013.
Tailored Suggestions Matter More Than the “Induction”
An experimental pain study found hypnoanalgesia worked equivalently with a credible sham induction when analgesic suggestions and expectancies were matched—highlighting the importance of content personalization and session-to-session adjustments.
- Nordlys customizes suggestions to your goals and responses
- We calibrate pacing, imagery, and post-hypnotic cues for daily life
Reference: Kekecs Z. et al. The Effectiveness of Hypnoanalgesia Using Conventional and Placebo Induction. The Journal of Pain, 2024.
Self-Hypnosis Delivers Clinical Benefits
A recent review reports medium-to-large clinical effects for self-hypnosis, often comparable to therapist-led sessions, and underscores gains in self-regulation and agency.
- Portable skills: 3-minute resets, sleep scripts, and safety cues
- Better generalization into real-world situations
Reference: Eason AD, Parris BA. The importance of highlighting the role of the self in hypnotherapy. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 2024.
Neuroscience: Focused Attention + Post-Hypnotic Cues
Contemporary reviews show hypnosis modulates attention and salience networks (e.g., dACC, DLPFC, insula) and that post-hypnotic suggestions plus practice help maintain change—precisely the Nordlys model.
- Top-down modulation of pain and anxiety
- Autonomic balance supports sleep and recovery
References: Spiegel D., 2013; Zahedi A. et al., 2024; Geagea D. et al., 2024.
Condition-Specific Outcomes Improve with Structured Practice
Clinical trials and reviews report improvements in pain, sleep, and quality of life (e.g., fibromyalgia, cancer-related pain) with brief, repeated sessions and audio-supported practice—mirrored in Nordlys after-care design.
- Reinforcement via guided audio and micro-practices
- Session-to-session measurement and course correction
Examples: Caputo Dorta et al., 2024 (fibromyalgia RCT); Eaton et al., 2024 (cancer survivors; audio practice).
Clinical References
- Spiegel D. Tranceformations: Hypnosis in Brain and Body. Depression & Anxiety. 2013;30:342–352.
- Kekecs Z, Nyiri B, Alldredge C, et al. The Effectiveness of Hypnoanalgesia Using Conventional and Placebo Hypnosis Induction. The Journal of Pain. 2024;25(8):104519.
- Eason AD, Parris BA. The importance of highlighting the role of the self in hypnotherapy and hypnosis. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2024;54:101810.
- Zahedi A, Lynn SJ, Sommer W. How hypnotic suggestions work – A systematic review of prominent theories of hypnosis. Consciousness & Cognition. 2024;123:103730.
- Geagea D, Ogez D, Kimble R, Tyack Z. Redefining hypnosis: A narrative review to move towards an integrative model. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2024;54:101826.
- Caputo Dorta et al. (2024). Randomized clinical trial of hypnosis for fibromyalgia (pain, sleep, QoL improvements).
- Eaton et al. (2024). Cancer survivors: hypnosis/relaxation audio for chronic pain (benefits with at-home practice).
NordVaka Clinical Hypnosis — Evidence Catalog
Authoritative, outcome‑driven hypnotherapy
NordVaka integrates classical hypnotherapy with neuroscience‑informed methods and structured self‑hypnosis after‑care. Our protocols emphasize clear rationales, precise suggestions, and measurable endpoints (pain scores, opioid use, GI symptom indices, sleep, and QoL). Every application below links directly to high‑quality evidence.
Implementation snapshot
- Session dosing: 1–4 brief sessions peri‑procedure; 6–10 sessions for chronic syndromes; daily self‑hypnosis 8–12 min.
- Delivery: live or recorded; pre‑op holding area, infusion suite, or telehealth.
- Track: pain (NRS), nausea, opioid MME, IBS‑SSS, PSQI, PHQ‑9/GAD‑7; re‑measure at session 3–4.
Acute pain, surgical recovery & opioid‑sparing
Strong | RCTs & recent meta‑analysis
- Peri‑operative hypnosis reduces acute post‑op pain and lowers opioid use (opioid‑sparing effect).
- Breast surgery: single brief pre‑op hypnosis lowers anesthetic needs, pain, side‑effects, and reduces cost/time.
Procedural pain & distress (children)
Strong | MA & SR (medium–large effects)
- Well‑timed pre‑procedural, live hypnosis reduces pain and distress; effects larger than in adults.
IBS — Gut‑Directed Hypnotherapy (GDH)
Strong | Consistent RCTs, network meta‑analysis
- GDH improves global IBS symptoms and QoL with durable effects.
- Digital GDH (SaMD) shows efficacy vs digital relaxation; improves access.
Vasomotor symptoms — Hot flashes
Strong | RCTs; self‑administered protocols under study
- Hypnotic relaxation therapy reduces hot‑flash frequency/severity and improves sleep.
Fibromyalgia
Strong‑emerging | New blinded RCT
- Improves pain, sleep, mental health, and QoL after ~8 sessions; adjunctive care recommended.
Recorded hypnosis for chronic pain
Emerging | RCT vs relaxation
- Daily audio for 4 weeks is feasible and acceptable; patient‑reported benefits on pain and coping; optimization ongoing.
Anxiety & Stress (adjunctive)
Strong‑supportive | Meta‑analysis & theory
- Adjunct to CBT enhances outcomes across several domains; hypnosis leverages attention, expectation, and agency.
Smoking cessation (adjunct)
Mixed | Cochrane review cautious
- Evidence does not clearly show hypnosis superior to other treatments; may serve as an adjunct to proven approaches (NRT/varenicline/CBT).
CBT + Hypnosis
Supportive | Added benefit when augmenting CBT
- Adding hypnosis to behavioral programs can enhance weight loss vs. CBT alone; heterogeneity remains.
What makes hypnosis effective?
- Targeted suggestions (e.g., cooling, numbness, comfortable distance) drive analgesia—even with minimal induction—via expectancy and top‑down control.
- Self‑hypnosis consolidates gains and improves self‑efficacy; daily 8–12 minutes between sessions.
Evidence standards
- We prioritize meta‑analyses, randomized trials, and reputable journals (BMJ/GUT, J Clin Med, JNCI, CGH, Neuron, Frontiers).
- Each claim above links to a primary source or trial registration. Where evidence is mixed, we label it plainly.
- NordVaka updates this catalog as new results are published and audits outcomes internally to ensure fidelity.