Unleash your inner power: Improving handgrip strength via post-hypnotic suggestions with long-lasting effects

Abstract

In our study, we investigated whether hypnosis can affect muscle strength. As a measure, we used handgrip strength that we assessed via a hand dynamometer. In addition, we obtained subjective ratings of strength with a visual analogue scale. We developed a hypnosis intervention to make participants feel strong. In the intervention, we tied the feeling of strength to a post-hypnotic power anchor, so participants could evoke the feeling of strength again. We also had a randomized control group that did not receive hypnosis. We tested the effect of the post-hypnotic power anchor on two experimental sessions separated by one week. Our data show that participants in the hypnosis group felt significantly stronger with their post-hypnotic power anchor compared to their own baseline, both in the first and second experimental session. In addition, participants in the hypnosis group showed a significant increase in objective strength compared to their own baseline in the second experimental session. We found no statistically significant differences in objective strength between groups. We conclude that our hypnosis intervention primarily improved strength perception and secondary objective strength. Our intervention can help patients to regain their health after a medical intervention and athletes to improve their sport performance.