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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
Available scientific evidence does not support claims that NLP
is effective in treating cancer or any other disease. Some smaller
studies have reported positive effects of NLP in such areas as
increasing relaxation and treating phobias.
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,
migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, AIDS, and cancer.
NLP is based on the belief that the brain (i.e., neuro)
controls how the body functions, whereas language (i.e., linguistic)
determines how people communicate. "Programming" is used to develop
models for interaction.
Proponents of NLP 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.
Supporters 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 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 the person may have.
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, 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 what they learned to help people experiencing
emotional difficulties by asking those people questions about their
problems while observing their body language. Once Grinder and Bandler
had identified unconscious patterns, they found the person could be
helped to learn new, more useful patterns. Grinder and Bandler created
a model based on successful communication patterns, 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, one of
the points of analysis included in NLP, is not a consistent marker of
type of mental processing. This appears to contradict the observations
of the NLP founders.
Several reviews of the medical 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. Relying on this type of
treatment alone and avoiding or delaying conventional medical care for
cancer may have serious health consequences.
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 found on
our Web site (www.cancer.org)
or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Barrett S. Mental help: procedures to avoid. Quackwatch Web
site. Accessed at
http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/mentserv.html on July
10, 2003. Accessed May 27, 2008.
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;96:1330-1338.
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 US 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.
Last Medical Review: 11/01/2008
Last Revised: 11/01/2008
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