Women's views regarding hypnosis for the control of surgical pain in the context of a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess women's satisfaction with a hypnotic intervention for anxiety and pain management during a pregnancy-terminating procedure.

METHODS

Women (N = 350) scheduled for first-trimester surgical abortion were randomly assigned to standard care or to a short, standardized hypno-analgesia intervention before and during the procedure. We assessed their individual use of the various hypnotic strategies proposed during the intervention and their views (likes/dislikes) about the hypnotic intervention, the pregnancy termination experience, and their participation in this randomized study.

RESULTS

Mental imagery of a secure place was the strategy used by most women (71%) in the hypnosis group, but a significant proportion of them also used dissociation (42%) and focal analgesia (39%). Advantages of hypnosis over standard care were found in the patients' report that they could resume their normal activities right after being discharged from the hospital (72% in hypnosis vs. 56% in control group) and in their appreciation of the accompaniment (hypnotherapist vs. nurse) provided during the procedure (97% in hypnosis vs. 56% in control group). Among those who received hypnosis, 97% affirmed that they would recommend hypnosis to a friend for a similar procedure. More than 98% in both groups indicated they would again volunteer to participate in a study evaluating hypnosis for pain management.

CONCLUSIONS

Women in the hypnosis group generally reported higher levels of satisfaction with various aspects of the procedure. This is consistent with the growing literature in favor of hypnotic interventions to improve pain management and care.