Randomized controlled trial of the Valencia model of waking hypnosis plus CBT for pain, fatigue, and sleep management in patients with cancer and cancer survivors

Abstract

Background This study evaluated the efficacy of an intervention combining the Valencia model of waking hypnosis with cognitive-behavioral therapy (VMWH-CBT) in managing cancer-related pain, fatigue, and sleep problems in individuals with active cancer or who were post-treatment survivors. We hypothesized that four sessions of VMWH-CBT would result in greater improvement in participants’ symptoms than four sessions of an education control intervention. Additionally, we examined the effects on several secondary outcome domains that are associated with increases in these symptoms (depression, pain interference, pain catastrophizing, and cancer treatment distress). Methods The study design was a randomized controlled crossover clinical trial comparing the VMWH-CBT intervention with education control. Participants (N = 44) received four sessions of both treatments, in a counterbalanced order (n = 22 per order condition). Results Participants were 89% female (N = 39) with mean age of 61 years (SD = 12.2). They reported significantly greater improvement after receiving the active treatment relative to the control condition in all the outcome measures. Treatment gains were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Conclusions This study supports the beneficial effects of the VMWH-CBT intervention relative to a control condition and that treatment gains remain stable. VMWH-CBT–trained clinicians should be accessible for managing symptoms both during and after cancer treatment, though the findings need to be replicated in larger samples of cancer survivors.

Integrative medicine in cancer survivors

“…These gains were noted to be stable at 3 month follow-up [47]. Another small RCT identified reduced anxiety in early stage breast cancer survivors who underwent 15 sessions of a multiple-component structured group intervention that combined support with CBT and hypnosis components compared to a single-component group intervention based on support [48].…”

International Olympic Committee consensus statement on pain management in elite athletes

“…Addressing sleep disorders could improve performance and the general health of the athlete 111. Psychological strategies including CBT,119 self-hypnosis120 and mindfulness-based stress reduction121 show significant potential to improve sleep in non-athletes. CBT for insomnia has demonstrated efficacy 122–124.…”

Hypnosis for Symptom Control in Cancer Patients at the End-of-Life: A Systematic Review

“…For example, hypnosis has been shown to: 1) improve fatigue in breast cancer radiotherapy patients (Montgomery et al, 2014), fibromyalgia patients (Haanen et al, 1991; Picard et al, 2013), breast cancer surgery patients (Montgomery et al, 2007), and cancer survivors (Mendoza et al, 2016); 2) improve sleep disturbances in PTSD patients (Abramowitz, Barak, Ben-Avi, & Knobler, 2008), and sleep onset insomnia (Stanton, 1989); and, 3) improve pain across a wide variety of contexts (Montgomery, David, Winkel, Silverstein, & Bovbjerg, 2002; Montgomery, DuHamel, & Redd, 2000). However, at this time, there appears to be an overall lack of empirical evidence supporting the use of hypnosis for appetite loss and dyspnea in any context.…”