Lew, M.W., Kravits, K., Garberoglio, C., & Williams, A.C. (2011). Use of preoperative hypnosis to reduce postoperative pain and anesthesia-related side effects. The International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 59(4), 406–423.

To test the feasibility of hypnosis as a preoperative intervention; to explore the effects of preoperative hypnosis on anxiety and pain

Investigators gathered baseline assessments of pain, nausea, vomiting, distress, and anxiety. The hypnosis intervention was a 15-minute scripted hypnotic experience provided, within an hour before surgery, in the preoperative holding area of the operating suite. Investigators collected data and interviewed patients postsurgery. Data pertaining to historical controls were obtained from medical records matched for age, date, and type of procedure.

• The sample was composed of 20 patients.
• The age range of patients was 30–79 years. Authors did not report mean patient age.
• All the patients were female.
• All the patients had breast cancer and were undergoing surgical procedures. Authors do not cite specific procedures.
• Of all patients, 65% were married or partnered and 65% were Caucasian.
• Of all participants, 90% reported previous experience with mind-body techniques: 90% had used prayer, 45% had used deep breathing, and 40% had used relaxation.

• Single site
• California, United States

Active treatment

Prospective pre- and postdesign with historical control comparisons; mixed method

• MD Anderson Symptoms Inventory, condensed and modified
• Measures of physical symptoms
• Assessment of personal preference (Authors developed this assessment to allow a patient to show intervention preference, on a continuum of imagery-hypnosis and other preferences.)

Postintervention measures showed a decrease in anxiety, worry, and nervousness; however, authors did not report significant pre- and poststudy differences. The hypnosis group had a higher prevalence of postoperative pain and nausea than did the historical group.

Providing a hypnosis intervention preoperatively appears to be feasible. Results reported do not provide substantial evidence of the efficacy of hypnosis in preventing postoperative pain and nausea.

• The study had a small sample size, with fewer than 30 participants.
• The study had a risk of bias due to no appropriate prospective control and no blinding.
• Authors did not list the procedures that participants underwent.
• Authors did not describe the timing of postintervention measurement or the method of extracting measurements from medical records.

This study suggests that providing a hypnosis intervention preoperatively can be feasible. The impact of such an intervention cannot be determined from this study.