Islamic-Oriented vs. Standard Ericksonian Hypnotherapy for Anxiety and Depression

NCT06844058 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: IEH
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 90
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial (RCT) aims to compare the effectiveness of Islamic-Oriented Ericksonian Hypnotherapy (IEH) and Standard Ericksonian Hypnotherapy (SEH) in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. The study will enroll 90 participants with mild to moderate anxiety and depression, who will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) IEH intervention, (2) SEH intervention, or (3) control group (no intervention). Participants in the intervention groups will receive 12 weekly hypnotherapy sessions, each lasting 60 minutes. The primary outcomes include changes in Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) scores from baseline to post-intervention and at a 4-week follow-up. The study will also assess whether religious belief levels moderate the effects of the intervention using the OK-Religious Attitude Scale. Data collection will be performed at Istanbul Nişantaşı University, and ethical approval has been obtained.

Conditions

Anxiety Disorders; Depressive Disorder

Keywords

Hypnotherapy; Ericksonian Hypnosis; Islamic Psychology; Anxiety Reduction; Depression Treatment; Culturally Adapted Psychotherapy; Religious-Based Therapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II)

  The study evaluates the effectiveness of Islamic-Oriented Ericksonian Hypnotherapy (IEH) vs. Standard Ericksonian Hypnotherapy (SEH) vs. No Intervention in reducing depressive symptoms. Depression severity will be assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), comparing baseline, post-intervention (Week 12), and follow-up (Week 16) scores.

  Baseline, Week 12 (post-intervention), Week 16 (follow-up)

• Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)

  The study measures reductions in anxiety symptoms among participants receiving IEH, SEH, or no intervention. Anxiety severity will be assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), comparing scores from baseline to post-intervention and follow-up.

  Baseline, Week 12, Week 16

Study Arms (3)

Islamic-Oriented Ericksonian Hypnotherapy (IEH) Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive 12 weekly sessions of Islamic-Oriented Ericksonian Hypnotherapy (IEH), which integrates faith-based imagery, Quranic metaphors, and religiously adapted hypnotic suggestions alongside standard Ericksonian techniques. Each session lasts 60 minutes.

Behavioral: Islamic-Oriented Ericksonian Hypnotherapy (IEH)

Standard Ericksonian Hypnotherapy (SEH) Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants receive 12 weekly sessions of Standard Ericksonian Hypnotherapy (SEH), using metaphorical storytelling, indirect suggestions, guided imagery, and hypnotic language patterns without religious integration. Each session lasts 60 minutes.

Behavioral: Standard Ericksonian Hypnotherapy (SEH)

Control Group (No Intervention)

NO INTERVENTION

Participants do not receive any intervention but will complete assessments at baseline, post-intervention (Week 12), and follow-up (Week 16).

Interventions

Islamic-Oriented Ericksonian Hypnotherapy (IEH) BEHAVIORAL

This intervention involves 12 weekly sessions (60 minutes each) of Ericksonian hypnotherapy integrated with Islamic religious elements. Sessions incorporate: Quranic metaphors and Islamic imagery Spiritual affirmations to enhance relaxation and emotional regulation Faith-based guided hypnosis adapted to cultural and religious beliefs Techniques such as indirect suggestions, therapeutic storytelling, and guided imagery The intervention is designed for Muslim participants with mild to moderate anxiety and depression.

Islamic-Oriented Ericksonian Hypnotherapy (IEH) Group

Standard Ericksonian Hypnotherapy (SEH) BEHAVIORAL

Participants receive 12 weekly sessions (60 minutes each) of standard Ericksonian hypnotherapy, which includes: Metaphorical storytelling and guided imagery Indirect hypnotic suggestions to promote psychological flexibility Relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms Unlike the Islamic-Oriented Hypnotherapy (IEH), this intervention does not integrate religious or faith-based elements.

Standard Ericksonian Hypnotherapy (SEH) Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Muslim individuals aged 18-65 years.
• Mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression symptoms (assessed via Beck
• Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)).
• No formal psychiatric diagnosis but experiencing psychological distress.
• High religious belief levels, assessed via OK-Religious Attitude Scale.
• Not currently receiving psychotherapy or psychotropic medication.
• Ability to give informed consent and complete the study requirements.

You may not qualify if:

• Severe psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe MDD).
• Current use of psychotropic medication or undergoing psychotherapy.
• History of substance abuse or dependence.
• Diagnosed dissociative disorders (contraindications for hypnosis).
• Cognitive impairment affecting comprehension of intervention.
• Severe medical conditions that may interfere with participation.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul Nisantasi University: lead

Study Sites (1)

İstanbul Nişantaşı University

Istanbul, 34277, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anxiety Disorders; Depressive Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders; Mood Disorders

Study Officials

• Metin Çınaroğlu, Phd

  Istanbul Nisantasi Universitesi

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Metin Çınaroğlu, Phd

CONTACT

+905324732070; metin.cinaroglu@nisantasi.edu.tr

Gözde Mert, Phd

CONTACT

+905359403399; gozde.mert@nisantasi.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Model Details: This study follows a parallel-group randomized controlled design, where participants are assigned to one of three groups: Islamic-Oriented Ericksonian Hypnotherapy (IEH), Standard Ericksonian Hypnotherapy (SEH), or a control group with no intervention. Each participant remains in the same group throughout the study period.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 19, 2025
• First Posted: February 25, 2025
• Study Start: January 15, 2025
• Primary Completion: June 25, 2025
• Study Completion: August 15, 2025
• Last Updated: March 26, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, CSR
• Time Frame: IPD and supporting information will be available after publication of study results and will remain accessible for five years post-publication.
• Access Criteria: Researchers requesting access must submit a formal request specifying their intended use of the data. Access will be granted upon institutional review and approval by the research team. Requests can be made by contacting the corresponding author via email.

Locations

TU (1)