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The feasibility and acceptability of hypnotherapy among overweight and obese individuals in a Malaysia’s public university

  • Nurul Afiedia Roslim ORCID logo , Aryati Ahmad , Mardiana Mansor , Myat Moe Thwe Aung , Farrahdilla Hamzah and Pei Lin Lua
Published/Copyright: April 2, 2021

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.


Corresponding author: Prof. Dr. Pei Lin Lua, PhD in Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Kampus Besut, 22200 Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia, Phone: +60 09 668 8520, E-mail:

Funding source: Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin

Award Identifier / Grant number: R0046-R001

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank the director of Arts and Heritage Center in UniSZA for giving permission to conduct this research at their recital hall and all the participants who had been involved in this study. This paper was also dedicated to our team member, the late Madam Haszalina binti Hassan who had passed away on 15th March 2020.

  1. Research funding: This study was funded by a research grant from Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin – UNISZA Mentor Mentee Research Grant R0046-R001.

  2. Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submissions.

  3. Competing interests: The funding organization(s) played no role in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the decision to submit the report for publication.

  4. Ethical approval: The authors confirm that all the research meets the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements of the study country.

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Received: 2020-05-11
Accepted: 2020-09-02
Published Online: 2021-04-02

© 2021 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

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