No abstract

No abstract

Objectives The global epidemic of overweight and obesity presents a major challenge in the health status of the society. Their prevalence is at an alarming rate worldwide due to poor compliance with conventional treatment and high rates of relapse, thus increasing demand for an effective and safe alternative approach such as hypnotherapy. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of hypnotherapy for weight loss and to compare these among selected socio-demographics. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 30 students and staff of a public university in Terengganu, Malaysia using convenience sampling. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS 23.0. Results Among the respondents (age = 26.17 ± 8.23 years; female = 66.7%; students = 63.3%), 40.0% were overweight and 60.0% were obese. Results indicated excellent feasibility as determined by participants’ satisfaction towards the clarity of hypnotherapist’s voice (93.3%), the suitability of content (86.7%) and time spent for the session (90.0%). Good overall acceptability (>60.0%) was also reported regarding hypnotherapist professionalism, the environment and perceived usefulness of hypnotherapy. Obese individuals were significantly more satisfied towards the hypnotherapist environment than overweight respondents (p=0.015). Additionally, no adverse effects were reported after the intervention. Conclusions This evidence signalled that hypnotherapy is a promising alternative tool in assisting overweight and obese individuals to lose weight. Extensive research is needed to substantiate its role in weight management programs for its full benefits.

Complementary and alternative therapies (CATs) are tremendously popular as an adjunct treatment for treating various health conditions but limited literature is available on the extent of use and perception among adolescents. This study aimed to 1) assess the general utilization and perception toward CATs and 2) compare the perception between CATs users and non-CATs users among secondary school students in Kuala Terengganu. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 99 students of a secondary school in Terengganu, Malaysia using convenience sampling. Responses were analysed via descriptive analysis and non-parametric tests using SPSS (v21). Among the participants (age = 15.3 ± 0.6 years; female = 78.8%), 23.2% had previously used some types of CATs, with herbal or dietary supplements (56.5%) being the most common. Participants’ utilization towards CATs were mostly influenced by their family and friends (82.6%). The students gained information about CATs from the internet (67.7%), followed by physicians (62.6%) and family/friends (61.6%). Most students have favourable opinions regarding CATs usage with no significant association between CATs users and non-users (p > 0.05). Nonetheless, CATs users scored higher in their beliefs that CATs has fewer side effects in comparison to conventional medicine (p = 0.050). From the findings, this study has provided some early evidence on the positive perceptions harboured by adolescents in Terengganu regarding CATs. Further approaches should be taken to educate the students about the fundamentals of CATs use to ensure their safety and efficacy.

BACKGROUND Despite the current popularity and potential usage of mobile applications in promoting dietary behavior, hypnotherapy for weight loss applications are scarcely available and the credibility of information is of concern. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this review are to 1) provide up-to-date existing hypnotherapy apps focusing on weight reduction and 2) evaluate the features and information provided in the mobile apps. METHODS Google Play and Apple’s iTunes stores were searched for available applications related to the hypnotherapy targeting weight loss from 20 August 2020 to 20 September 2020. Only free, English apps were included. Apps in which the hypnotherapy was not utilized for weight loss or which contain no elements of hypnotherapy were not included. RESULTS Of 291 identified apps, 22 met the requirements for inclusion and were further reviewed. Fourteen of the apps (63.6%) focused on reducing calorie intake and limiting intake of fattening and sugary foods through hypnotic suggestions. Most apps delivered hypnotherapy via audio track (77.3%) and 68% enabled the session to be customized. More than 40% of apps developers claimed to have used a licensed hypnotherapist and 25% of apps contained disclaimers in the descriptions. Additionally, 31.8% of the classified apps earned high ratings from users (between 4 and 5 stars). CONCLUSIONS Overall findings suggest that weight-loss hypnotherapy applications may be useful as an approach to assist conventional weight management strategies. However, several issues regarding the contents and credibility should be highlighted in order to improve the quality and substantiate the effectiveness of weight-loss hypnotherapy apps in future. CLINICALTRIAL MENTOR-MENTEE RESEARCH GRANT (UNISZA/2018/011/R0046-R001)