Hypnosis Enhances Prefrontal Performance, Negative Memories Management and Reduces Stress and Anxiety in Medical Students: A Network and Bayesian Psychophysiological Study

Abstract Background Stress and anxiety affect executive functions, work performance, and well-being, with negative impacts documented in medical doctors. However, the benefits of hypnosis remain under investigation. Hypothesis: This study aims to evaluate the impact of hypnosis on stress management in medical students, particularly in relation to negative academic experiences. Methods 26 volunteers, attending the last year of Medical School at the University of Padua, were enrolled (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT06778109). Evaluations of executive function, stress and anxiety through the Tower of London revised (TOL-R), Visual Analog Scale (VASs and VASa), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) were conducted. Additionally, heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), electrodermal activity (EDA), skin conductance responses (SCR/min) and percentage of time in stress response (%) were recorded. Results TOL-R scores improved (p < 0.001), while stress and anxiety decreased (p < 0.001). Hypnosis affected EDA, SCR/min, and % (ANOVAs p < 0.001). HR decreased (p < 0.01) and HRV increased (p < 0.001) post-intervention. Bayesian analysis confirmed these findings (BF₁₀ = 184,738 for TOL-R; 23,017 for VASs; 35,952 for VASa). Network analysis identified EDA as the hub linking stress markers and cognitive performance Conclusions Based on the sample size evaluated our findings support hypnosis as an effective intervention for improving executive function, emotional regulation and stress response in medical students.