Therapeutic hypnosis and sports performance: a systematic review

Objectives: The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the evidence about the effects of therapeutic hypnosis on increasing athletic performance, improving recovery from athletic injuries, and decreasing psychological distress in athletes. Methods: We conducted a bibliographic search in six electronic databases (i.e. PubMed, PsychINFO, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and SPORTDiscus) from their inception to October 2024. Results: A total of 613 papers were retrieved, 109 were screened for evaluation, and 13 were included in the review. Most studies used an uncontrolled pre-post-test design and were found to be of fair methodological quality. Conclusions: Statistically significant associations emerged between the use of therapeutic hypnosis and athletic performance improvement, injury recovery, and reduction in psychological distress while engaging in the chosen sport. However, additional and more rigorous research is needed to confirm the beneficial effects of therapeutic hypnosis in athletes. Future studies should evaluate the short- and longer-term beneficial effects of therapeutic hypnosis in athletes using randomized trial designs, larger sample sizes, and standardized protocols to allow for stronger conclusions regarding the efficacy and mechanisms underlying the benefits of therapeutic hypnosis in athletes.