Home-Based Hypnosis: A Feasibility Study for End-of-Life Patients and Their Relatives

Area of Science:

• Palliative care research
• Mind-body interventions
• Complementary and alternative medicine

Background:

• End-of-life patients often experience severe symptoms requiring complementary therapies.
• Clinical hypnosis is a promising mind-body therapy for palliative care, benefiting patients and relatives.
• Access to hypnosis can be limited by symptom severity and mobility issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and acceptability of a home-based hypnosis intervention.
• To evaluate symptom alleviation in end-of-life patients.
• To enhance coping resources for relatives of end-of-life patients.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-method observational feasibility study (February 2022-January 2023).
• 32 end-of-life patients and 14 relatives received weekly 20-25-minute hypnosis sessions for four weeks.
• Quantitative data (numeric rating scales) and qualitative data (interviews) were collected.

Main Results:

• Significant reductions in patient anxiety (P=.001) and pain (P=.001).
• Improved patient well-being (P=.001) and relative well-being, serenity, and energy levels (P=.001, P=.042).
• High satisfaction reported, with frequent use of self-hypnosis recordings.

Conclusions:

• Home-based hypnosis is feasible and beneficial for end-of-life patients and their relatives.
• The intervention reduced symptoms and enhanced coping resources.
• Supports integration of complementary therapies into palliative care.