No evidence for theta power as a marker of hypnotic state in highly hypnotizable subjects

: Hiltunen Seppo, Karevaara Maria, Virta Maarit, Makkonen Tommi, Kallio Sakari, Paavilainen Petri

Publisher: ELSEVIER SCI LTD

: 2021

: Heliyon

: HELIYON

: ARTN e06871

: 7

: 4

: 10

: 2405-8440

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06871

: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06871

: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/58758166

EEG spectral-power density was analyzed in a group of nine highly hypnotizable subjects via ten frontal, central, parietal, and occipital electrodes under four conditions: 1) wake state, 2) neutral hypnosis, 3) hypnotic suggestion for altering perception of tones, and 4) post-hypnosis. Results indicate no theta-power changes between conditions, challenging previous findings that increased theta power is a marker of hypnosis. A decrease in gamma power under hypnotic suggestion and an almost significant decrease under neutral hypnosis were observed, compared to post-hypnosis. Anteroposterior power distribution remained stable over all conditions. The results are discussed and compared to earlier studies, which report heterogenous findings.

heliyon_2021.pdf