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Other common name(s): NLP
Scientific/medical name(s): None
Description
Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) uses a number of techniques or tools to teach people to identify personal goals, change unhelpful beliefs, reach a higher level of achievement, and communicate better with others. Special attention is paid to the relationship between language, thoughts, and behavior.
Overview
Some smaller studies have reported positive effects of NLP in such areas as increasing relaxation and treating phobias. Available scientific evidence does not support claims that NLP is effective in treating cancer or any other disease.
How is it promoted for use?
Practitioners of NLP claim it can be used to identify and change unconscious patterns of thinking and behavior. Some also believe that it can be used to help treat a wide range of physical conditions. They claim NLP can help people with phobias, allergies, arthritis, migraines, Parkinson's disease, AIDS, and cancer.
NLP is based on the belief that the brain (i.e. neuro) controls how the body functions; language (i.e. linguistic) determines how people communicate; and programming is used to develop models for interaction. NLP involves studying the relationship between all three parts. They claim thinking is closely tied to the five senses, that experiences are recreated in memories through the senses, and that these are what limit people's abilities and beliefs. NLP proponents claim that once people understand that they create their own internal world, they realize they have the power to change their behavior and health. Practitioners claim people who have problems healing from physical conditions often have negative beliefs about their health.
What does it involve?
NLP practitioners may ask a person questions about specific situations, then analyze eye movements, body posture, voice tone, muscle tension, gestures, and language to understand more about how the person's thinking process. These observations are used to learn how the person consciously and unconsciously relates to his or her life and condition, and what limiting beliefs may exist. Practitioners claim some problems can be cured with one NLP session although others may require repeated sessions.
What is the history behind it?
In the early 1970s, John Grinder, PhD and Richard Bandler, PhD studied the thinking processes, and language and behavioral patterns of several successful people, including Fritz Perls, the father of Gestalt therapy; Virginia Satir, an accomplished family therapist; Milton Erickson, a prominent hypnotherapist; and Gregory Bateson, a well-known anthropologist and author in the field of communication theory. Grinder and Bandler believed that by studying and learning the internal processes of these successful people, they could learn to teach anyone the skills necessary to increase their level of success. Grinder and Bandler made connections between the body language and speaking patterns of these people and related this information to the internal thinking process of each person studied.
They applied the information they learned to help people who were experiencing emotional difficulties by asking people questions about their problems while observing their body language. Once the unconscious patterns were known, they found the person could be helped to learn new, more useful patterns. Grinder and Bandler created a model based on successful communication patterns. This process was called neuro-linguistic programming.
Today, NLP practitioners can receive training in the process from affiliated organizations such as The Society for Neuro-Linguistic Programming.
What is the evidence?
Although there have been anecdotal and case reports of the effectiveness of NLP, there have been no large-scale randomized clinical trials of the method. One small-scale study found that NLP might be effective in treating phobias. However, a National Research Council committee did not find the theories or practices of NLP to be well founded. Indeed, some studies have found that eye movement is not a consistent marker of type of mental processing. This appears to contradict the observations of the NLP founders.
Several reviews of the literature have reported there is little or no evidence to support the effectiveness of NLP. A survey of 139 psychologists listed in the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology found that the soundness of NLP was questionable. Claims that NLP can help cancer or any other physical illness are not supported by available scientific research. More study is needed to determine if NLP may help psychological conditions.
Are there any possible problems or complications?
Not all NLP practitioners have a background in physical or mental health and some may not even be properly trained. Someone without training or experience in the field may not be skilled or sensitive to the needs and issues important to someone living with cancer and could cause psychological harm.
Additional Resources
More Information from Your American Cancer Society
The following information on complementary and alternative therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Barrett S. Mental help: procedures to avoid. Quackwatch Web site. Available at: http://www.quackwatch.com. Accessed 3/23/07.
Beyerstein BL. Brainscams: neuromythologies of the new age. Intern J Mental Health. 1990;19:27-36.
Burke DT, Meleger A, Schneider JC, Snyder J, Drovlo AS, Al-Adawi S. Eye-movements and ongoing task processing. Percept Mot Skills. 2003;96(3 Pt 2):1330-1338.
Einspruch EL, Forman BD. Neuro-linguistic programming in the treatment of phobias. Psych Priv Prac. 1988;6:91-100.
Sharpley CF. Research findings on neurolinguistic programming: nonsupportive data or an untestable theory? J Counsel Psych. 1987;34:103-107.
Starker S, Pankratz L. Soundness of treatment: a survey of psychologists' opinions. Psychol Rep. 1996;78:288-290.
Swets JA, Bjork RA. Enhancing human performance: an evaluation of "New Age" techniques considered by the U.S. Army. Psychol Sci. 1990;1:85-86.
Note: This information may not cover all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is familiar with your medical situation.
Revised: 03/26/2007
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