Relationship between hypnotic susceptibility and thermal regulation: new directions for research

This study examined the relationship between hypnotic susceptibility and thermal regulation using biofeedback. 30 subjects were given the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale, Form C. Immediately after the susceptibility score was determined, all subjects were given instructions to lower the peripheral skin temperature on the right middle finger. Subjects remained under hypnosis while they performed this task. A significant negative correlation (-.38) was found, in that the higher subjects' susceptibility, the better they were able to maintain a lower dermal temperature over trials. A 2 X 6 analysis of variance for low and high susceptibility with repeated measures yielded a significant main effect for subjects and a significant interaction of group X trials; highly susceptible subjects maintained a lower mean temperature over trials than subjects of low susceptibility. Issues for future research concerning the role of susceptibility in research on hypnosis are outlined.