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The Use of Self-Help Strategies in Obesity Treatment. A Narrative Review Focused on Hypnosis and Mindfulness.

Current obesity reports
September 1, 2021
Marianna Pellegrini et al. (6 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the potential and limitations of mindfulness strategies in treating obesity, particularly in improving dysfunctional eating behaviors and weight loss.

Results Summary

The study found that mindfulness, when combined with other psychological therapies, diet, and physical activity, improves weight loss, food awareness, self-acceptance, and reduces food cravings and emotional eating. However, long-term effectiveness and clinical integration require further research.

Population

Patients with obesity

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (9)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
psychological approaches to weight management
increase
motivation and self-control
patients with obesity
-
could increase
#1
psychological approaches to weight management
decrease
impulsiveness and inappropriate use of food
patients with obesity
-
limiting
#2
hypnosis and mindfulness
increase
weight loss programs
-
-
could represent additional strategies to increase the effectiveness
#3
hypnosis and mindfulness
increase
dysfunctional eating behaviors, self-motivation, and stimulus control
-
-
improving
#4
hypnosis
increase
weight loss, food awareness, self-acceptance of body image
-
-
improving
#5
hypnosis
decrease
food cravings and emotional eating
-
-
limiting
#6
mindfulness
increase
weight loss, food awareness, self-acceptance of body image
-
-
improving
#7
mindfulness
decrease
food cravings and emotional eating
-
-
limiting
#8
hypnosis and mindfulness
increase
effectiveness
-
-
Greater effectiveness occurs when associated with other psychological therapies in addition to diet and physical activity
#9
Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this narrative review was to summarize the evidence evaluating the possibilities and limitations of self-hypnosis and mindfulness strategies in the treatment of obesity. RECENT FINDINGS: Psychological factors, such as mood disorders and stress, can affect eating behaviors and deeply influence weight gain. Psychological approaches to weight management could increase the motivation and self-control of the patients with obesity, limiting their impulsiveness and inappropriate use of food. The cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) represents the cornerstone of obesity treatment, but complementary and self-directed psychological interventions, such as hypnosis and mindfulness, could represent additional strategies to increase the effectiveness of weight loss programs, by improving dysfunctional eating behaviors, self-motivation, and stimulus control. Both hypnosis and mindfulness provide a promising therapeutic option by improving weight loss, food awareness, self-acceptance of body image, and limiting food cravings and emotional eating. Greater effectiveness occurs when hypnosis and mindfulness are associated with other psychological therapies in addition to diet and physical activity. Additional research is needed to determine whether these strategies are effective in the long term and whether they can be routinely introduced into the clinical practice.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Cognitive Behavioral TherapyHumansHypnosisMindfulnessObesityWeight Loss
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality65/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations9
Citations/Year2.3
Relative Citation Ratio1.08
NIH Percentile53.1%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score2.17
Normalized Score0.63
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