Table 2 Baseline demographic characteristics (values are means ± standard deviations (SD) or absolute numbers (N) and percentages
|  | N | Hypnosis N = 47 | Control N = 48 | All participants N = 95 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|  |  | Mean ± SD / N (%) | Mean ± SD / N (%) | Mean ± SD / N (%) |
Age [years] | 95 | 45.0 ± 13.4 | 46.9 ± 14.3 | 46.0 ± 13.8 |
Sex [female] | 95 | 40 (85.1) | 41 (85.4) | 81 (85.3) |
Education | ||||
 Abitur (German university entrance qualification) | 95 | 36 (76.6) | 37 (77.1) | 73 (76.8) |
 Vocational education [university] | 95 | 14 (29.8) | 15 (31.3) | 29 (30.5) |
Employment | ||||
 Employed [yes] | 95 | 41 (87.2) | 39 (81.3) | 80 (84.2) |
 Full-time employee | 80 | 20 (48.8) | 14 (35.9) | 34 (42.5) |
 Part-time employee |  | 21 (51.2) | 25 (64.1) | 46 (57.5) |
 Part-time because of stress [yes] | 44 | 4 (20.0) | 7 (29.2) | 11 (25.0) |
 Incapacity for work last 4 weeks [no] | 79 | 35 (87.5) | 31 (79.5) | 66 (83.5) |
 Size of household (more than single) | 95 | 36 (76.6) | 38 (79.2) | 74 (77.9) |
Health parameter | ||||
 BMI | 95 | 23.3 ± 3.9 | 24.4 ± 4.2 | 23.8 ± 4.1 |
 Smoking [yes] | 95 | 7 (14.7) | 9 (18.8) | 16 (16.8) |
 Alcohol [yes] | 95 | 37 (78.7) | 39 (81.3) | 76 (80.0) |
 Sports [yes] | 95 | 44 (93.6) | 46 (95.8) | 90 (94.7) |
 Sport frequency [1–2 times weekly] | 90 | 23 (52.3) | 21 (45.7) | 44 (48.9) |
 Stressful lifetime event in the last 6 months [yes] | 95 | 21 (44.7) | 19 (39.6) | 40 (42.1) |
 Number of stress symptoms | 95 | 8.7 ± 7.1 Range 3–39 | 8.4 ± 5.6 Range 3–25 | 8.6 ± 6.4 Range 3–39 |
Stress factors (multiple choices possible) | ||||
 Professional requirements | ||||
  Job/University | 95 | 33 (70.2) | 28 (58.3) | 61 (64.2) |
  Exam preparation | 95 | 10 (21.3) | 8 (16.7) | 18 (19.0) |
  High demands on oneself | 95 | 35 (74.5) | 33 (68.8) | 68 (71.6) |
  Conflicts with colleagues / superiors | 95 | 6 (12.8) | 9 (18.8) | 15 (15.8) |
  Time pressure, high density of appointments | 95 | 32 (68.1) | 16 (33.3) | 48 (50.5) |
Private requirements | ||||
 Private conflicts | 95 | 18 (38.3) | 17 (35.4) | 35 (36.8) |
 Parenting | 95 | 9 (19.2) | 6 (12.5) | 15 (15.8) |
 Disease (close people) | 95 | 13 (27.7) | 10 (20.8) | 23 (24.2) |
 Care of a relative | 95 | 5 (10.6) | 3 (6.3) | 8 (8.4) |
 Household | 95 | 9 (19.2) | 4 (8.3) | 13 (13.7) |
 Money worries | 95 | 5 (10.6) | 7 (14.6) | 12 (12.6) |
 Preparation special events | 95 | 5 (10.6) | 4 (8.3) | 9 (9.5) |
Adversities of everyday life/daily hassles | ||||
 Organization of everyday life | 95 | 13 (27.7) | 11 (22.9) | 24 (25.3) |
 Public transport | 95 | 7 (14.9) | 8 (16.7) | 15 (15.8) |
 Doctor visits | 95 | 6 (12.8) | 4 (8.3) | 10 (10.5) |
 Waiting | 95 | 1 (2.1) | 6 (12.5) | 7 (7.4) |
 Become disturbed / interrupted | 95 | 16 (34.0) | 7 (14.6) | 23 (24.2) |
 Other | 95 | 10 (21.3) | 17 (35.4) | 27 (28.4) |