Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Is high hypnotizability a trouble in balance control?

  • Short Communication
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Hypnotizability is a cognitive trait measured by standard scales and associated with peculiar physiological responses to cognitive and physical stimulations. Hypnotizability-related differences can also be observed in non-hypnotic state and in the absence of specific suggestions. In the normal bipedal stance subjects with high hypnotizability (Highs) exhibit a higher tolerance of alteration of the visual and leg/neck proprioceptive input with respect to low hypnotizable individuals (Lows). Aim of the study was to investigate whether this characteristic represents a disadvantage during highly demanding postural tasks. Sixteen Highs and 16 Lows of both genders participated in an experimental session consisting of maintaining balance while standing with open or closed eyes on a seesaw platform allowing roll movements. The results did not show significant differences between Highs and Lows in inclination area and time, with the exception of a greater ability of Highs with respect to Lows when they began the task displacing the body weight from the left to the right leg. Thus, high hypnotizability does not represent a disadvantage for balance control during highly demanding postural tasks. Together with previous studies, the present findings suggest that the Highs’ postural control might shift from a very “economic”, preeminently centrally driven functioning mode, characteristic of easy postural tasks, to an efficaciously periphery-controlled mode, required by difficult postural tasks.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

References

  • Balthazard GC, Woody EZ (1989) Bimodality, dimensionality, and the notion of hypnotic types. Int J Clin Exp Hypn 37:70–89

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carey DP, Smith DT, Martin D, Smith G, Skriver J, Rutland A (2009) Shepherd JW The bi-pedal ape: plasticity and asymmetry in footedness. Cortex 45:650–661

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carli G, Manzoni D, Santarcangelo EL (2008a) Hypnotizability-related integration of perception and action. Cogn Neuropsychol 25:1065–1076

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carli G, Huber A, Santarcangelo EL (2008b) Hypnotizability and chronic pain: an ambiguous connection. Contemp Hypn 25:65–77

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carvalho C, Kirsch I, Mazzoni G, Leal I (2008) Portuguese norms for the Waterloo-Stanford Group C (WSGC) Scale of hypnotic susceptibility. Int J Clin Exp Hypn 56:295–305

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Collins J, De Luca CJ (1993) Open-loop and closed-loop control of posture: a random-walk analysis of centre-of-pressure trajectories. Exp Brain Res 95:308–318

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • De Pascalis V, Bellusci A, Russo PM (2000) Italian norms for the Stanford Hypnotic susceptibility scale, form C. Int J Clin Exp Hypn 48:15–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Dieterich Bense S, Lutz S, Drzezga A, Stephan T, Bartenstein P, Brandt T (2003) Dominance for vestibular cortical control in the non dominant hemisphere. Cereb Cortex 13:100–994

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dittmar M (2002) Functional and postural lateral preferences in humans: interrelations and life-span age differences. Hum Biol 74:569–585

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Green JP, Barabasz AF, Barrett D, Montgomery GH (2005) Forging ahead: the 2003 APA Division 30 definition of hypnosis. Int Clin Exp Hypn 53:259–264

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guillow E, Dupui P, Golomer E (2007) Dynamic balance sensory motor control and symmetrical or asymmetrical equilibrium training. Clin Neurophysiol 118:317–324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horton JE, Crawford HJ, Harrington G, Downs JH 3rd (2004) Increased anterior corpus callosum size associated positively with hypnotizability and the ability to control pain. Brain 12:1741–1747

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jacob RG, Redfern MS, Furman JM (2009) Space and motion discomfort and abnormal balance control in patients with anxiety disorders. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 80:74–78

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jambrik Z, Santarcangelo EL, Ghelarducci B, Picano E, Sebastiani L (2004) Does hypnotisability modulate the stress-related endothelial dysfunction? Brain Res Bull 63:213–221

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jambrik Z, Carli G, Rudish T, Varga A, Forster T, Santarcangelo EL (2005) Modulation of pain-induced endothelial dysfunction by hypnotisability. Pain 116:181–186

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jorgensen MM, Zachariae R (2002) Autonomic reactivity to cognitive and emotional stress of low, medium and high hypnotizable healthy subjects: testing predictions form the high risk model of threat perception. Int J Clin Exp Hypn 50:248–275

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kogan E, Lidor R, Bart O, Bar-Haim Y, Mintz M (2008) Comorbidity between balance and anxiety disorders: verification in a normal population. J Psychol 142:601–613

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Redfern MS, Furman JM, Jacob RG (2007) Visually induced postural sway in anxiety disorders. J Anxiety Disord 21:704–716

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Santarcangelo E, Busse K, Carli G (1989) Changes in electromyographically recorded human monosynaptic reflex in relation to hypnotic susceptibility and hypnosis. Neurosci Lett 104:157–160

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Santarcangelo EL, Busse K, Carli G (2003) Frequency of occurrence of the F wave in distal flexor muscles as a function of hypnotic susceptibility and hypnosis. Cogn Brain Res 16:99–103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santarcangelo EL, Scattina E, Carli G, Macerata A, Manzoni D (2008a) Hypnotizability-dependent modulation of postural control: effects of alteration of the visual and leg proprioceptive inputs. Exp Brain Res 191:331–340

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Santarcangelo EL, Scattina E, Orsini P, Bruschini L, Ghelarducci B, Manzoni D (2008b) Effects of vestibular and neck proprioceptive stimulation on posture as a function of hypnotizability. Int J Clin Exp Hypn 56:170–184

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Santarcangelo EL, Balocchi R, Scattina E, Manzoni D, Bruschini L, Ghelarducci B, Varanini M (2008c) Hypnotizability-dependent modulation of the changes in heart rate control induced by upright stance. Brain Res Bull 75:692–697

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Santarcangelo EL, Scattina E, Carli G, Balocchi R, Macerata A, Manzoni D (2009) Modulation of the postural effects of cognitive load by hypnotizability. Exp Brain Res 194:323–328

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schieppati M, Tacchini E, Nardone A, Tarantola J, Corna S (1999) Subjective perception of body sway. J Neurol, Neurosurg Psychiatry 66:313–322

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tan U (1985) Relationship between the hand skill and the excitability of motoneurones innervating the postural soleus muscle in human subjects. Int J Neurosci 26:289–300

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Research funded by the Italian Space Agency (DCMC project).

Conflict of interest statement

None of the authors has any conflict of interest concerning the study evaluation and publication.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy

    Emanuele Caratelli, Manuel Menzocchi, Giancarlo Carli & Giuliano Fontani

  2. Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

    Enrica Santarcangelo

Authors
  1. Emanuele Caratelli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Manuel Menzocchi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Giancarlo Carli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Giuliano Fontani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Enrica Santarcangelo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Enrica Santarcangelo.

Additional information

Communicated by Fausto Baldissera.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Caratelli, E., Menzocchi, M., Carli, G. et al. Is high hypnotizability a trouble in balance control?. Eur J Appl Physiol 108, 201–206 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-009-1280-6

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-009-1280-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation