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Hypnotic susceptibility, mood state, and cardiovascular reactivity
R M Harris1, S W Porges, M E Carpenter
1University of Maryland, School of Nursing, Baltimore 21201-1545.
The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis
|July 1, 1993
Summary
Hypnotic susceptibility is linked to autonomic nervous system function. Individuals with lower resting heart rate and higher vagal tone, along with greater heart rate reactivity, show increased hypnotic susceptibility.
Area of Science:
- Psychophysiology
- Neuroscience
- Autonomic Nervous System Research
Background:
- Hypnotic susceptibility varies among individuals.
- Autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a role in emotional and cognitive states.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between hypnotic susceptibility and cardiovascular parameters.
- To determine if autonomic tone influences hypnotic susceptibility.
Main Methods:
- Assessed hypnotic susceptibility using the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility (HGSHS).
- Monitored blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac vagal tone in 21 female students during mood induction (happy and sad states).
Main Results:
- A significant correlation was found between hypnotic susceptibility and cardiac vagal tone and heart rate reactivity.
- Lower baseline heart rate, greater baseline vagal tone, and increased heart rate during mood induction predicted higher hypnotic susceptibility.
- Baseline cardiac vagal tone and heart rate reactivity explained approximately 40% of the variance in hypnotic susceptibility.
Conclusions:
- Autonomic tone, specifically cardiac vagal tone and heart rate reactivity, is demonstrably related to hypnotic susceptibility.
- These findings suggest a psychophysiological basis for individual differences in hypnotic susceptibility.