EEG alpha methodologies and hypnotizability: a critical review

Abstract

This paper reviews empirical studies that assessed the relationship between EEG alpha indices and measures of hypnotic responding. Although there are confirmatory reports of such a relationship, these findings have not been corroborated in repeated attempts at replication. The research is characterized by poor design and statistical procedures that fail to control for various extraneous factors. Although a few positive findings have been tentatively identified, they await replication. Taken together, the available evidence suggests that hypnotizability is not systematically related to alpha.