The enhancement of human performance with hypnosis through neuromotor facilitation and control of arousal level

Effects of Flotation Restricted Environmental Stimulation on Intercollegiate Tennis Performance

The study investigated the effects of flotation Restricted Environmental Stimulation (REST) with an imagery message on the competitive performance of intercollegiate tennis players (10 men, 10 women). Pre- and posttreatment athletic performance was measured during intercollegiate competition. Posttreatment results indicated that subjects exposed to flotation REST with an imagery message performed significantly better than subjects exposed to imagery only on a measure of first service accuracy. Findings suggest that flotation REST can be used to enhance the performance of a well learned skill by athletes of high ability.

Performance enhancement in physical medicine and rehabilitation

Performance enhancement or mental practice is the "symbolic rehearsal of a physical activity without any gross muscular movements" to facilitate skill acquisition and to increase performance in the production of that physical activity. Performance-enhancement interventions have been well known in the area of sports psychology and medicine. However, clinical applications in physical medicine and rehabilitation have not flourished to the same extent, though the demand for improved physical performance and the acquisition of various motor skills are as important. In this paper I will describe how hypnosis can potentiate mental practice, present a model of mental practice to enhance performance, and describe how to help patients access an ideal performance state of consciousness.

Stress and trance in freefall parachuting: a pilot study

Freefall parachuting is a demanding activity which, at times, is profoundly stressful. Fifty-nine freefall parachutists completed a survey which dealt with parachuting experience, levels of perceived stress, sources of stress, episodes of altered consciousness, and use of hypnotic techniques in preparation for freefall. Over one third admitted to having experienced a "trance-like state" before, during, or after a jump; the same was true of a state of "altered consciousness." The great majority used mental imagery or another mental or physical technique to prepare for freefall. These results recall the theory that stress predisposes to hypnotic trance. Trance, when unconsciously evoked during emergencies (spontaneous dissociation), may account for some parachuting accidents. When consciously pursued, however, self-hypnosis may provide the jumper with a way to control his level of arousal, facilitate cognitive rehearsal, and enhance performance.

Clinical applications of hypnosis in the physical medicine and rehabilitation setting: three case reports

Hypnosis is useful in the rehabilitation setting to help patients master skills, to increase their sense of self-efficacy and self-esteem and, in general, to facilitate and accelerate their rehabilitation program. I used hypnosis with three patients where patient behaviors and beliefs were interfering with the rehabilitation treatment goals set by the patient and the health care team. Collectively, these cases demonstrate the use of hypnotic techniques in diagnosing and treating problems with patient compliance and assisting patients to gain greater benefit from their rehabilitation regimen.