Electrocardiographic Effects Associated With Hypnotic Suggestion in Normal and Coronary Sclerotic Individuals

Abstract
Fourteen normal subjects and 11 patients with coronary sclerosis and angina pectoris were studied during hypnosis by ecg. An anxiety-fear situation and a work-pain situation were hypnotically induced. All of the normals and most of the patients were able to accept hypnotic suggestion but the depth of hypnosis was quite superficial. In 50% of the normal these suggestions produced various T wave changes. In one case depression of ST segments in precordial leads occurred. Hypnotic suggestion produced significant T wave changes in 4 patients, in 3 of these in the direction of greater abnormality. In 1 patient R3 temporarily disappeared. The changes were not identical with those produced by exercise or typical anginal attacks. No ecg changes occurred in 6 patients. In routine ecg interpretation it is important to appreciate these deviations that may be due to the emotional state of the patient and not to organic changes within the myocardium.

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