Hypnosis for Procedure-Related Pain and Distress in Pediatric Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review of Effectiveness and Methodology Related to Hypnosis Interventions

Abstract

The aim of this study was to systematically review and critically appraise the evidence on the effectiveness of hypnosis for procedure-related pain and distress in pediatric cancer patients. A comprehensive search of major biomedical and specialist complementary and alternative medicine databases was conducted. Citations were included from the databases' inception to March 2005. Efforts were made to identify unpublished and ongoing research. Controlled trials were appraised using predefined criteria. Clinical commentaries were obtained for each study. Seven randomized controlled clinical trials and one controlled clinical trial were found. Studies report positive results, including statistically significant reductions in pain and anxiety/distress, but a number of methodological limitations were identified. Systematic searching and appraisal has demonstrated that hypnosis has potential as a clinically valuable intervention for procedure-related pain and distress in pediatric cancer patients. Further research into the effectiveness and acceptability of hypnosis for pediatric cancer patients is recommended.

Use of Preoperative Hypnosis to Reduce Postoperative Pain and Anesthesia-Related Side Effects

“…Multiple meta-analyses have been conducted of the clinical trials using hypnosis for the management of symptoms associated with invasive procedures, surgery, and cancer treatment (Mendoza & Capafons, 2009;Montgomery, David, Winkel, Silverstein, & Bovbjerg, 2002;Neron & Stephenson, 2007;Richardson, Smith, McCall, & Pilkington, 2006;Schnur, Kafer, Marcus, & Montgomery, 2008). The results of these analyzes support the use of hypnosis for symptom management specifically for pain, nausea/vomiting, anxiety, and distress.…”

Mind–Body Interventions in Oncology

“…For cancer patients, that number ranges widely depending on type of therapy, diagnoses, year, and geographic region. Values range from a low of 16.9% use of relaxation in an Israeli sample [3] and 28% use of relaxation/meditation in an American breast cancer sample [4], to a high of 81.6% use of ''mindbody'' therapies in Hawaii [5•] and 60.6% in Taiwan [6]. A 2006 survey of over 2,000 breast cancer patients from the Nurses' Health Study cohort found that 32% used relaxation or imagery and 12% practiced yoga [7].…”

Use of sophrology and hypnosis in hospitals: a nurse’s experience

“…L'imagerie spécialisée (IRM fonctionnelle) objective les régions du cerveau stimulées par les suggestions hypnotiques [2]. De nombreux articles décrivent les effets antalgiques de l'hypnose, notamment pour : les soins aux brûlés [1,7,9], les douleurs provoquées [8] et la douleur postopératoire [6].…”