Family Partnership in Hypnosis to Improve Mechanical Ventilation Weaning in an ICU Patient With High Cervical Spinal...

Quadriplegia often leads to severe respiratory impairment, accompanied by distressing symptoms such as dyspnoea and breathlessness. Ventilator weaning remains a challenge in the acute phase of high cervical spinal cord injury. We present the case of a 27-year-old man with traumatic C5-C6 quadriplegia. His clinical course was complicated by recurrent respiratory issues and a prolonged ventilator weaning process. Medical hypnosis was introduced as a complementary strategy to support ventilator weaning. A nurse anaesthetist certified in medical hypnosis performed the intervention. As sedation limited direct communication, the patient's mother participated in creating a personalised 'safe place' script based on family memories and the patient's personal resources. Hypnosis helped reduce anxiety and dyspnoea, contributing to the success of spontaneous breathing trials. It also strengthened the therapeutic alliance by involving the family. This case study underscores the potential role of hypnosis in critical care, particularly when developed in collaboration with family members. Family involvement promotes a more personalised and humanised approach to care. In this case, family partnership promoted respiratory autonomy and facilitated ventilator weaning.