Ebell, H. (2008). The therapist as a travelling companion to the chronically ill: hypnosis and cancer related symptoms. Contemporary Hypnosis 25: 46-56.

Examine 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 use of analgesics.

Sample Size: 39

Age Information:  No information reported

Gender: Not reported

Diagnosis Information: Not provided

 

Setting Type: Single site, Outpatient setting

Location: United Kingdom

Long term followup

End of Life and Palliative Care

Single group crossover design – randomized

Visual analogue scale Stanford Hypnotic Clinical Scale for Adults (for response or non-response to self hypnosis)

11 patients reported achieving pain control, 12 reported benefits in relaxation, rest and sleep, and 9 patients reported no impact.

The study report lacks full quantitative findings and thus, very limited information about the efficacy of hypnosis

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

This study provides little information and no clear support for efficacy of hypnosis for chronic cancer related pain.