Hypnosis and the Reduction of Acute Pain and Anxiety in Adolescents Undergoing Cancer-Related Treatments
Clinical research exploring whether self-hypnosis can reduce pain, anxiety and distress during invasive cancer treatments.
This study examined the use of self-hypnosis techniques to reduce discomfort and anxiety in adolescents undergoing cancer-related medical procedures.
Eighteen adolescents with cancer were trained in self-hypnosis to help manage the distress associated with procedures such as bone marrow aspirations, lumbar punctures and chemotherapy injections.
Two participants declined the hypnosis intervention. The remaining sixteen adolescents who practised the techniques experienced significant reductions in pain, distress and anxiety during procedures. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
The findings suggest that hypnosis and self-hypnosis techniques may provide practical psychological support for patients undergoing stressful medical treatments.
The study suggests hypnosis may help reduce procedural anxiety and distress in young people undergoing cancer treatment.
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