Title Hypnotherapy as treatment for depression: A Scoping Review Author& Affiliation Jolene Pang Wan Vun, Ponnusamy Subramaniam, Ahmed Moustafa, Noh Amit, Suzaily Binti Wahab Abstract This scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of studies that explore the use of hypnotherapy as a treatment for depression, adhering to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A total of 232 articles were identified through systematic search strategies in four databases. Following rigorous screening, 14 studies, varying from case studies to randomized controlled trials, were included in the final review. The age range of participants spanned from 18 to 70 years, and female participants generally exceeded males in these studies. Hypnotherapy was found to be frequently used as an adjunct treatment alongside various types of psychotherapy such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and often included techniques like hypnotic induction, ego strengthening, and self-hypnosis. The treatment duration varied from 3 sessions to as long as 20 weekly sessions. Most importantly, the majority of the studies found hypnotherapy to be effective in reducing symptoms of depression, with some studies suggesting its superior effects to antidepressant treatment in areas like overall health and vitality. This review underscores the potential of hypnotherapy as a viable treatment option for depression and highlights the need for further controlled studies to establish its efficacy. Background Specifically, the purposes of conducting this scoping reviews are as follows: 1. Summarize the current body of research pertaining to the application of hypnotherapy in the treatment of depression. 2. Report on the various approaches and techniques of hypnotherapy utilized in the treatment of depression. 3. Examine and report on the therapeutic effects and outcomes of hypnotherapy in the context of treating depression. Aims The aim of this manuscript is to present a protocol for a scoping review of the use of hypnotherapy in the treatment for depression. Methodology The methods of this scoping review will be based on Arskey and O'Malley's seminal framework for scoping reviews. The approach to searching, screening, and reporting of scoping review as suggested by Levac, Colquhoun, and O'Brien will be modified and utilized. We will also use PRISMA-P as checklist for aspects applicable to the preparation of a scoping review protocol. The guidelines recommended in PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist will be followed when reporting the scoping review. Stage 1: Identifying Research Question - What does the current body of research reveal about the effectiveness of hypnotherapy in treating depression? - Which techniques and approaches in hypnotherapy are most commonly used in treating depression? - What are the reported therapeutic effects of hypnotherapy on depressive symptoms as shown in the existing literature? Stage 2: Identifying Relevant Studies Databases being used: PubMed, Scopus, Web Of Science, ScienceDirect Stage 3: Selection of Studies to be Included Inclusion Criteria: 1. Participants in the selected studies must have experienced depression. 2. Studies must involve the use of hypnosis, including self-hypnosis and/or hetero-hypnosis techniques. 3. Review will focus on case studies, empirical and research studies. 4. Only studies published in English will be included. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Review papers and books that summarize existing literature will be excluded. 2. Studies involving participants with comorbidities will be excluded to maintain focus on depression as the primary condition. Stage 4: Charting the Information from the Selected Studies 1. Author(s) 2. Publication year 3. Participants' characteristics- inclusion and exclusion criteria 4. Study Design 5. Sample Size 6. Age, Gender 7. Treatment duration 8. Modality 9. Measures 10. Approaches and Techniques 11. Therapeutic Effects and Outcomes Discussion The chosen studies in this review highlight the various uses of hypnotherapy in depression treatment, with uniformly favourable outcomes observed across multiple hypnotherapy approaches. This reveals the adaptability and efficacy of hypnotherapy in managing depression. In terms of self-hypnosis, studies reveal its benefits in managing depressive symptoms. Techniques like cognitive self-hypnosis encourage patients to alter perceptions and behaviours to better manage depressive symptoms, fostering self-efficacy and maintaining therapeutic gains post-treatment. Regular practice of self-hypnosis also yielded reductions in depressive symptoms and improvements in overall well-being. However, there are areas in hypnotherapy research that need addressing. The variety of hypnotherapy techniques used in different studies makes it challenging to discern the most effective methods for specific patient groups. Furthermore, potential publication bias could skew results favourably due to a tendency to publish studies with positive findings. The long-term impacts of hypnotherapy on depression also need further exploration, as current research does not sufficiently cover this aspect. Despite these gaps and limitations, the evidence strongly suggests the potential of hypnotherapy, either alone or adjunctive to other therapies, in treating depression, calling for more in-depth research in the future.