An Audio-Recorded Hypnosis Intervention for Chronic Pain Management in Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Controlled...

Area of Science:

• Integrative Oncology
• Pain Management
• Behavioral Medicine

Background:

• Chronic pain is a prevalent and debilitating issue for cancer survivors.
• Non-pharmacological interventions are sought to manage pain and improve quality of life.
• Hypnosis has shown potential as a complementary therapy for pain reduction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of a 4-week hypnosis audio-recording intervention.
• To evaluate the impact of the intervention on pain intensity in cancer survivors.
• To explore qualitative benefits reported by participants.

Main Methods:

• Pilot randomized controlled trial with 40 cancer survivors experiencing chronic pain.
• Participants were assigned to a hypnosis audio-recording intervention (n=21) or a wait-list control (n=19).
• Pain intensity was measured at baseline and 4 weeks; qualitative data were also collected.

Main Results:

• Both groups showed reduced pain intensity from baseline to 4 weeks.
• The hypnosis group had a small effect size (d=0.25) for pain reduction.
• Qualitative feedback highlighted benefits such as enhanced self-care and relaxation.

Conclusions:

• The hypnosis audio-recording intervention appears feasible and acceptable for cancer survivors with chronic pain.
• Preliminary results suggest a potential, albeit small, benefit for pain reduction.
• A fully powered clinical trial is recommended to confirm the efficacy of this audio-based hypnosis intervention.