title: Hypnotherapeutic management of alopecia areata.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Only limited data exist on the role of psychotherapy in alopecia areata (AA).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to document the influence of hypnotherapy on psychologic well-being and clinical outcome in AA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hypnosis was used in 28 patients with extensive AA who were refractory to previous conventional treatments. It was added as a complementary treatment or used as the only treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 21 patients, 9 with alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis and 12 with extensive AA, were analyzed during a 5-year period. After treatment, all patients had a significantly lower score for anxiety and depression. Scalp hair growth of 75% to 100% was seen in 12 patients after 3 to 8 sessions of hypnotherapy. Total growth occurred in 9 of these 12 patients, including 4 patients with alopecia universalis and 2 with ophiasis. In 5 patients, a significant relapse occurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is a preliminary study with a limited number of patients. A larger randomized study is necessary.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hypnotherapy may enhance the mental well-being of patients with AA and it may improve clinical outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Academic Hospital, Free University (VUB), Brussels. riawil@scarlet.be
authors.forename: Ria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Willemsen
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vanderlinden
authors.forename: Arlette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Deconinck
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Roseeuw
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006990:Hypnosis; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome