User Outcomes for an App-Delivered Hypnosis Intervention for Menopausal Hot Flashes: Retrospective Analysis

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Behavioral Medicine
• Digital Health

Background:

• Hypnotherapy is a proven, nonhormonal treatment for menopausal hot flashes.
• Accessibility barriers limit in-person hypnotherapy for many women.
• A smartphone application (Evia app) was developed to deliver hypnotherapy remotely.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the Evia app in reducing hot flash frequency and severity.
• To assess user outcomes associated with app-based hypnotherapy for hot flashes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of data from Evia app users experiencing hot flashes.
• Two groups were analyzed: one reporting daytime hot flashes and night sweats, the other reporting only daytime hot flashes.
• A 5-week program included daily educational readings, hypnotic inductions, and hot flash tracking, utilizing audio-recorded hypnosis and mental imagery.

Main Results:

• Clinically significant reduction (≥50%) in daily hot flashes observed in 76.3% of women with hot flashes and night sweats, and 56.8% of women with only daytime hot flashes.
• Average reduction in hot flashes was 61.4% for women with night sweats and 45.2% for women with daytime hot flashes.
• Statistically significant reductions in average daily hot flashes were noted in both groups (P<.001).

Conclusions:

• The Evia app demonstrates efficacy as a delivery method for hypnotherapy in managing menopausal hot flashes.
• App-based hypnotherapy offers a potentially accessible, non-pharmacological option to improve women's quality of life.
• This study supports the potential of digital health interventions in women's health.