The main aims of this experimental study are: (1) to compare the relative effects of analgesia suggestions and relaxation suggestions on clinical pain, and (2) to compare the relative effect of relaxation suggestions when they are presented as "hypnosis" and as "relaxation training". Forty-five patients with fibromyalgia were randomly assigned to one of the following experimental conditions: (a) hypnosis with relaxation suggestions; (b) hypnosis with analgesia suggestions; (c) relaxation. Before and after the experimental session, the pain intensity was measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the sensory and affective dimensions were measured with the McGill Pain Questionnaire. The results showed: (1) that hypnosis followed by analgesia suggestions has a greater effect on the intensity of pain and on the sensory dimension of pain than hypnosis followed by relaxation suggestions; (2) that the effect of hypnosis followed by relaxation suggestions is not greater than relaxation. We discuss the implications of the study on our understanding of the importance of suggestions used in hypnosis and of the differences and similarities between hypnotic relaxation and relaxation training.

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Objective. Multidisciplinary treatments of fibromyalgia (FM) have demonstrated efficacy. Nevertheless, they have been criticized for not maintaining their benefits and for not being studied for specific populations. Our objectives were to determine the efficacy of a multidisciplinary treatment for FM adapted for patients with low educational levels and to determine the maintenance of its therapeutic benefits during a long-term followup period. Methods. Inclusion criteria consisted of female sex, a diagnosis of FM (using American College of Rheumatology criteria), age between 18 and 60 years, and between 3 and 8 years of schooling. Patients were randomly assigned to 1 of the 2 treatment conditions: conventional pharmacologic treatment or multidisciplinary treatment. Outcome measures were functionality, sleep disturbances, pain intensity, catastrophizing, and psychological distress. Analysis was by intent-totreat and missing data were replaced following the baseline observation carried forward method. Results. One hundred fifty-five participants were recruited. No statistically significant differences regarding pretreatment measures were found between the 2 experimental groups. Overall statistics comparison showed a significant difference between the 2 groups in all of the variables studied (P < 0.0001). Mixed linear model analysis demonstrated the superiority of the multidisciplinary treatment in all of the studied variables at posttreatment. The differences were maintained at 12-month followup in sleep disturbances (P < 0.0001), catastrophizing (P < 0.0001), and psychological distress (P < 0.01). Conclusion. Multidisciplinary treatment adapted for individuals with low educational levels is effective in reducing key symptoms of FM. Some improvements were maintained 1 year after completing the multidisciplinary treatment.

This study examined the contributing effects of hypnosis on a standard cognitivebehaviour therapy (CBT) intervention for treating pain in patients with fi bromyalgia. Forty-seven patients with fi bromyalgia were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (1) Pharmacological treatment (standard care control group); (2) CBT group therapy; or (3) CBT group therapy with hypnosis. Outcome measures assessing pain intensity, sensorial and affective quality of pain and total FIQ score were administered before and after treatment. The analyses indicated that patients who received either CBT or CBT plus hypnosis improved more than patients who received only conventional pharmacological treatment; patients who received CBT plus hypnosis showed greater improvement than those who received CBT without hypnosis. The fi ndings are consistent with previous research demonstrating the additive benefi ts of hypnosis when combined with other effective treatments.