Title:

Long-term outcome of hypnotic analgesia treatment for chronic pain in persons with disabilities

Author(s):

Jensen MP, Barber J, Hanley MA, Engel JM, Romano JM, Cardenas DD, Kraft GH, Hoffman AJ, Patterson DR

Year:

2008

Publication Info:

International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 56(2):156-69

Abstract:

Data from 26 participants in a case series of hypnotic analgesia for chronic pain were examined to determine the long-term effects of hypnosis treatment. Statistically significant decreases in average daily pain intensity, relative to pretreatment values, were observed at posttreatment and at 3- and 9-month follow-up but not at 6- or 12-month follow-up. The percent of participants who reported clinically meaningful decreases in pain were 27%, 19%, 19%, and 23%, at the 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-up points, respectively. Moreover, at 12-months posttreatment, 81% of the sample reported that they still used the self-hypnosis skills learned in treatment. Overall, the results indicate that about 20% of the sample obtained substantial and lasting long-term reductions in average daily pain following hypnosis treatment and that many more continue to use self-hypnosis up to 12 months following treatment.

Link to Article:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18307126