[Hypnosis for pain control during lumbar puncture and bone marrow aspirations in children with cancer]

Pediatric oncology patients undergo medical treatments which often require repeated lumbar punctures and bone marrow aspirations, in general a painful and anxiety-provoking experience. We offered a few patients the opportunity to volunteer for hypnotic help in pain control. The technique of the hypnosis put in practice is described extensively. With some adaptations it can be used for various diagnostical and/or therapeutical medical examinations that are painful for the child and/or anxiety-provoking.