The findings indicate that two sessions of self-hypnosis training with audio recordings for home practice may be as effective as eight sessions of hypnosis treatment. If replicated in other patient samples, the findings have important implications for the application of hypnosis treatment for chronic pain management.

It is feasible to provide treatment to women veterans living in rural areas by utilizing video-teleconferencing technology between larger VA medical centers and facilities at CBOCs in more rural settings. A controlled trial of the intervention is warranted.

Abstract-Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)is a group of diverse medical and healthcare systems, therapies, and products that are not presently considered part of conventional medicine. This article provides an up-to-date review of the efficacy of selected CAM modalities in the management of chronic pain. Findings are presented according to the classification system developed by the National Institutes of Health National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (formerly Office of Alternative Medicine) and are grouped into four domains: biologically based medicine, energy medicine, manipulative and body-based medicine, and mind-body medicine. Homeopathy and acupuncture are discussed separately as "whole or professionalized CAM practices." Based on the guidelines of the Clinical Psychology Division of the American Psychological Association, findings indicate that some CAM modalities have a solid track record of efficacy, whereas others are promising but require additional research. The article concludes with recommendations to pain practitioners.

Although an extensive body of empirical literature supports the efficacy of individual exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), there is substantial debate about the suitability of exposurebased techniques in group treatment settings. Whereas some clinicians and researchers have predicted that these techniques may vicariously traumatize patients, others have argued that the group setting may facilitate exposure work by offering opportunities for normalization and social support. Few studies, however, have explored patients' opinions on group exposure. This study examined veterans' perspectives on the effectiveness and tolerability of a 12-week model of group-based exposure therapy (GBET) for PTSD. Analysis of qualitative and quantitative self-report data from 20 combat veterans indicated that participants were highly satisfied with GBET and experienced it as both helpful and acceptable. Eighty-five percent of the sample (n ϭ 16) evidenced reliable reductions in PTSD symptoms from preto posttreatment, without experiencing symptom exacerbation over the course of treatment. The observed dropout rate was low (5%, n ϭ 1), and treatment completers reported that commitment to the group was instrumental in their decision to remain in treatment. Veterans described that hearing other group members' in-session imaginal exposures had a normalizing effect, and they indicated that feedback from fellow veterans on their own imaginal exposures was the most helpful aspect of GBET.