Ebell, H. (2008). The therapist as a travelling companion to the chronically ill: Hypnosis and cancer related symptoms. Contemporary Hypnosis, 25, 46–56.
To examine the effects of the combination of self-hypnosis and pharmacologic pain management
Patients with cancer-related pain were randomly assigned to the order in which they received two different approaches—self-hypnosis with pain medications and pain medications alone. Patients used a daily log to record pain levels and the use of analgesics.
Eleven patients reported achieving pain control; 12 reported benefits in relaxation, rest, and sleep; and 9 reported no impact.
The study report lacks full quantitative findings and, thus, very limited information about the efficacy of hypnosis.
This study provides little information and no clear support for the efficacy of hypnosis for chronic cancer-related pain.