This study tested the hypothesis that the pacing of suggestions to phases of the breathing cycle can enhance responding in hypnosis. Ninety-six subjects at three levels of hypnotizability responded to suggestions for coolness/numbness and arm lightness/levitation both paced and counter-paced to the phase of breathing (inhalation) claimed to enhance responding to them. As a test of pacing as a technique for indirect hypnosis, the covert pacing of such suggestions was compared to overt pacing. Results failed to demonstrate a relationship between the pacing of the phases of breathing and its hypothesized effects. Responding to suggestions was related to level of hypnotizability and an interaction was noted between overtness/covertness of pacing and level of hypnotizability.
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