Scientific Research on NLP & Life Coaching

Life Coaching

Some of the peer-reviewed research on life coaching that have been published in scientific journals include:

A 2019 clinical trial on 40 medical students at the Georgetown University School of Medicine found that life coaching benefited stress levels and stressful thoughts significantly. There were also benefits for relationships, fatigue, spirituality, time management and resilience, but these benefits were not statistically significant. 94.6% of the students reported that they felt life coaching was beneficial.

A 2016 study found that coaching reduced procrastination, with individual coaching being more effective than group coaching, and group coaching being more effective than self-coaching.

A small study in 2015 by the University of Southampton in the UK found that life coaching was beneficial for cancer survivors managing the transition back to regular life after treatment and improving self-condifence.

A 2015 study by King's College in London, UK, found that life coaching improved depression and anxiety in patients receiving haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, with benefits ranging from areas of work, lifestyle and hobbies. "Life coaching within cancer services potentially offers the means to address psychosocial concerns and support transition to life after treatment, enabling patients to reach their potential, e.g. returning to employment and financial independence."

A 2014 study on underperforming trainees found that trainees that received life coaching had better communication skills, attitude, organisational skills, self-discipline, self-belief, and overall performance, when compared to trainees who received no coaching.

A research review in 2013 found that life coaching could benefit some measurable markers of physical health, especially blood sugar regulation.

A 2013 study using MRI machines found that positive coaching (involving inspiration and motivation and strength-focused) impacted the brain completely differently to negative coaching (a focus on weaknesses and improving personal challenges i.e. traditional coaching). Positive coaching activated "important neural circuits and stress-reduction systems in the body by encouraging mentees to envision a desired future for themselves."

A clinical study in 2013 found that life coaching could benefit quality of life and body weight in adults with diabetes.

A 2009 Canadian study found that life coaching could benefit female university students with obesity, with participants finding that life coaching enhanced self-acceptance, living healthier lifestyles, and making themselves a priority.

A 2007 study found that life coaching was more effective than peer or self-coaching, especially with behaviour change, goal attainment and some markers of well-being.

A 2006 study published by The British Psychological Society found that coaching could reduce workplace stress & anxiety, but not depression.

A 2005 Australian study found that life coaching over 10 weeks could benefit many levels of wellness, including personal growth, environmental mastery, positive relationships, purpose in life, and self-acceptance.

Neuro-Linguistic Programming

Some of the peer-reviewed research on neurolinguistic programming (NLP) coaching that has been published in scientific journals include:

In a 2015 meta-analysis review of NLP research, NLP was found to scientific, effective and could "hold its ground in comparison with other psychotherapeutic methods."

A 2017 study on 98 people by New Zealand researchers from the University of Auckland found that a technique used in NLP was effective in reducing the symptoms of fear of heights.

A 2017 study on dermatologists found that a personalized communication training programme improved both patient outcomes and personal satisfaction. The programming included neurolinguistic programming as well as training on patient-centered care, a guide to the medical interview, principles of motivational interviewing and self-care.

A 2016 case study found that NLP was extremely beneficial for one patient with Raynaud's Syndrome.

A 2016 academic article suggested that neurolinguistic programming could be effective for dentists with high stress levels at work.

A 2016 study from The Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Iran, on 60 people found that NLP could reduce work-related stress in critical care nurses by almost 50%.

A 2015 study on 180 stroke patients found that NLP plus health education was useful in reducing anxiety & depression in stroke patients. People who received NLP plus health education had better quality of life and physical recovery than people who received standard medical care alone.

A 2014 study from Iran, found that NLP coaching may improve symptoms of anxiety, depression & mental health in midwifery and nursing students.

A 2014 study found that NLP was highly effective in treating anxiety and depression related to PTSD in post-combat military and emergency services.

A 2012 study from The University of Frankfurt, Germany, found that NLP coaching was more effective than hypnotherapy and placebo in improving success rates of treatment in pregnant women who were receiving treatment for a breech fetus.

A 2011 study suggested that NLP coaching may help with weight loss

A 2011 study found that 7 weeks of NLP coaching may reduce the risk of offending in adolescents with previous offending behavior.

A 2010 study from St Georges University of London, UK, found that patients who received NLP coaching for claustrophobia required less anaesthesia to undergo MRI scans than patients who did not receive NLP.

A 2010 study on NLP-based therapy found it was effective for improving personal growth, reducing symptoms of stress, and improving interpersonal relationships. Short-term therapy (1 month) was less effective than long-term treatment (6 months).

A 2009 study published by the American Association of Immunologists, found that NLP was more effective than placebo in treating pollen allergies. The study measured blood markers of inflammation (eosinophils, IgE, CD4+ CD25+ cells) and found NLP produced measurable results in immune system cytology.

A 2009 study from São Paulo Federal University found that a combination of psycho-drama and NLP coaching was effective in improving self-esteem in female rape survivors.

A 2008 study on NLP-based therapy found that it was effective in reducing allergic reactions to pollen, and was more effective than placebo.

A 2003 study found that NLP techniques could reduce histamine-release in patients with pollen allergies, as confirmed by skin prick testing before and after treatment.

A 1998 study by USA researchers found that NLP training courses significantly improved social anxiety disorders in adults.

A 1996 PhD thesis study found that NLP techniques could help reduce acute pain, and was far more effective than placebo (6.2 point reduction for NLP, compared to 2.1 for placebo).

A 1994 study on 48 people found that NLP could protect lung function in asthmatics.

A 1992 study found that patients treated with an NLP technique used for allergies (cats, dust, flowers, cigarette smoke, etc). found that the technique had a 70% success rate in reducing allergic symptoms in patients. 40% were still symptom-free after 1 year. When combined with other NLP techniques, the success rate was closer to 100%.

A 1992 study found a combination of Eriksonian Hypnotherapy and NLP coaching was more effective than traditional counseling for marriage and relationship therapy.

Eriksonian Hypnotherapy

A medical case study published in the scientific journal "Acta Bio-Medica" in 2017 of a child with selective mutism found that Ericksonian Hypnosis over 3 months lead to the complete remission of mutism symptoms.

According to an article in The Australian Journal of Clinical Hypnotherapy and Hypnosis in 2009, Ericksonian Hypnotherapy can help with quitting smoking by creating "change from the inside-out, enabling a client to tap in to the endless stream of healing energy that flows within the mind-body connection."

A small study in 2012 by researchers from Bakirköy Education and Training Hospital in Turkey found that Ericksonian Hypnotherapy was effective for treating the symptoms of tinnitus.

A study in 2007 by researchers from the University of Liège in Belgium found that Ericksonian Hypnotherapy (especially using self-hypnosis) was very effective in treating tinnitus pain.

A 2007 study compared support groups for people with chronic health conditions: one group with standard support group model, and another group with Ericksonian Hypnotherapy model. Both groups were found to be highly effective in improving health & goal attainment in participants.

Researchers from Tel Aviv University published 3 case studies in 2001, showing that Ericksonian Hypnotherapy was highly effective in treating adolescents with trichotillomania - a condition where there is a compulsion to pull out your own hair. Standard psychotherapy is ineffective for this condition.

A study in 2007 on patients with fibromyalgia by researchers from the Centro Médico Nacional Ignacioi García Téllez in Mexico, found that Ericksonian Hypnotherapy was effective after 3-4 months of treatment in reducing tender points.

A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis in 2008 wanted to compare the effectiveness of Ericksonian Hypnotherapy with Brief Dynamic Therapy (a common treatment in used in standard psychotherapy). Ericksonian Hypnotherapy and Brief Dynamic Therapy were found to be equally as effective as each other.

A 1992 study found a combination of Eriksonian Hypnotherapy and NLP coaching was more effective than traditional counseling for marriage and relationship therapy.

Other published medical case studies have found Ericksonian Hypnosis effective for sexual dysfunction, emotional difficulties in children, and intractable shoulder pain.

Scientific Research on NLP & Life Coaching​​

​

Life Coaching

Some of the peer-reviewed research on life coaching that have been published in scientific journals include:

​

​​

​

A 2016 study found that coaching reduced procrastination, with individual coaching being more effective than group coaching, and group coaching being more effective than self-coaching.

​

A small study ​in 2015 by the University of Southampton in the UK found that life coaching was beneficial for cancer survivors managing the transition back to regular life after treatment and improving self-condifence.

​

​​

A 2014 study on underperforming trainees found that trainees that received life coaching had better communication skills, attitude, organisational skills, self-discipline, self-belief, and overall performance, when compared to trainees who received no coaching.

​

A research review in 2013 found that life coaching could benefit some measurable markers of physical health, especially blood sugar regulation.

​

​

A clinical study in 2013 found that life coaching could benefit quality of life and body weight in adults with diabetes.

​

A 2009 Canadian study found that life coaching could benefit female university students with obesity, with participants finding that life coaching enhanced self-acceptance, living healthier lifestyles, and making themselves a priority.

​

A 2007 study found that life coaching was more effective than peer or self-coaching, especially with behaviour change, goal attainment and some markers of well-being.

​

A 2006 study published by The British Psychological Society found that coaching could reduce workplace stress & anxiety, but not depression.

​

A 2005 Australian study found that life coaching over 10 weeks could benefit many levels of wellness, including personal growth, environmental mastery, positive relationships, purpose in life, and self-acceptance.

​

​

Neuro-Linguistic Programming

​

Some of the peer-reviewed research on neurolinguistic programming (NLP) coaching that has been published in scientific journals include:

​

In a 2015 meta-analysis review of NLP research, NLP was found to scientific, effective and could "hold its ground in comparison with other psychotherapeutic methods."

​

A 2017 study on 98 people by New Zealand researchers from the University of Auckland found that a technique used in NLP was effective in reducing the symptoms of fear of heights.

​​

​

A 2016 case study found that NLP was extremely beneficial for one patient with Raynaud's Syndrome.

​

A 2016 academic article suggested that neurolinguistic programming could be effective for dentists with high stress levels at work.

​

A 2016 study from The Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Iran, on 60 people found that NLP could reduce work-related stress in critical care nurses by almost 50%.

​

A 2015 study on 180 stroke patients found that NLP plus health education was useful in reducing anxiety & depression in stroke patients. People who received NLP plus health education had better quality of life and physical recovery than people who received standard medical care alone.

​​​​

A 2014 study from Iran, found that NLP coaching may improve symptoms of anxiety, depression & mental health in midwifery and nursing students.

​

A 2014 study found that NLP was highly effective in treating anxiety and depression related to PTSD in post-combat military and emergency services.

​

A 2012 study from The University of Frankfurt, Germany, found that NLP coaching was more effective than hypnotherapy and placebo in improving success rates of treatment in pregnant women who were receiving treatment for a breech fetus.

​

A 2011 study suggested that NLP coaching may help with weight loss

​

A 2011 study found that 7 weeks of NLP coaching may reduce the risk of offending in adolescents with previous offending behavior.

​

A 2010 study from St Georges University of London, UK, found that patients who received NLP coaching for claustrophobia required less anaesthesia to undergo MRI scans than patients who did not receive NLP.

​

A 2010 study on NLP-based therapy found it was effective for improving personal growth, reducing symptoms of stress, and improving interpersonal relationships. Short-term therapy (1 month) was less effective than long-term treatment (6 months).

​

​

A 2009 study from São Paulo Federal University found that a combination of psycho-drama and NLP coaching was effective in improving self-esteem in female rape survivors.

​

A 2008 study on NLP-based therapy found that it was effective in reducing allergic reactions to pollen, and was more effective than placebo.

​

A 2003 study found that NLP techniques could reduce histamine-release in patients with pollen allergies, as confirmed by skin prick testing before and after treatment.

​

A 1998 study by USA researchers found that NLP training courses significantly improved social anxiety disorders in adults.

​

A 1996 PhD thesis study found that NLP techniques could help reduce acute pain, and was far more effective than placebo (6.2 point reduction for NLP, compared to 2.1 for placebo).

​

A 1994 study on 48 people found that NLP could protect lung function in asthmatics.

​

​​

A 1992 study found a combination of Eriksonian Hypnotherapy and NLP coaching was more effective than traditional counseling for marriage and relationship therapy.

​

​

Eriksonian Hypnotherapy

​

Scientific Research on NLP & Life Coaching

A small study in 2015 by the University of Southampton in the UK found that life coaching was beneficial for cancer survivors managing the transition back to regular life after treatment and improving self-condifence.