Feasibility and Preliminary Outcomes of Hypnosis to Enhance Meaningful Work Among Employees with Low Work Engagement: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Structural and psychological pressures in higher education can undermine employee’s engagement, particularly when work is perceived as lacking meaningfulness. Low levels of meaningful work are a key marker of disengagement and may harm well-being. This study investigated the preliminary effectiveness of Hypnotic Guided Imagery (HGI) in enhancing meaningful work among non-academic staff with low engagement. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted with 31 participants randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 16) or a control group (n = 15). The intervention group received two HGI sessions, while the control group engaged in neutral conversations. Work and Meaning Inventory (WAMI) and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9) scores were analyzed using Mixed ANOVA. Results showed a significant time × group interaction for meaningful work (p = .017, η2 p = .181), with gains in positive meaning and meaning making dimensions. While emotional responses improved directionally, interaction effects were not significant. Findings provide initial support for HGI as a reflective, hypnosis-based intervention to foster meaningful work.