Ebell, H. (2008). The therapist as a travelling companion to the chronically ill: hypnosis and cancer related symptoms. Contemporary Hypnosis 25: 46-56.
Study Purpose
Examine effects of the combination of self hypnosis and pharmacologic pain management
Intervention Characteristics/Basic Study Process
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 use of analgesics.
Sample Characteristics
Sample Size: 39
Age Information: No information reported
Gender: Not reported
Diagnosis Information: Not provided
Setting
Setting Type: Single site, Outpatient setting
Location: United Kingdom
Phase of Care and Clinical Applications
Long term followup
End of Life and Palliative Care
Study Design
Single group crossover design – randomized
Measurement Instruments/Methods
Visual analogue scale
Stanford Hypnotic Clinical Scale for Adults (for response or non-response to self hypnosis)
Results
11 patients reported achieving pain control, 12 reported benefits in relaxation, rest and sleep, and 9 patients reported no impact.
Conclusions
The study report lacks full quantitative findings and thus, very limited information about the efficacy of hypnosis
Limitations
Small sample 100.
No analysis of differences between hypnosis and “control” condition. Those who added self hypnosis first in the crossover sequence were likely to have contaminated results that occurred later in the control condition. No disease related or other demographic information about the sample is provided. Very limited reporting of results and analysis of findings
Nursing Implications
This study provides little information and no clear support for efficacy of hypnosis for chronic cancer related pain.