Touch-based interventions, biofield therapies, and hypnosis for pain management: a scoping review of complementary approaches in physiotherapy.

BACKGROUND

Pain is a complex and multidimensional experience shaped by biological, psychological, and contextual factors. Complementary approaches, including hypnosis-based interventions, touch-based interventions, and biofield therapies, are increasingly explored in physiotherapy and rehabilitation as non-pharmacological strategies for pain management.

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the clinical applications, reported outcomes, and proposed mechanisms of hypnosis-based interventions, touch-based interventions, and biofield therapies in the management of pain and related outcomes.

METHODS

The review followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines and included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs published in English between 2004 and December 2025. Databases searched were PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library. Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria, involving 1,001 patients with conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic widespread pain, temporomandibular disorders, knee osteoarthritis, and chronic back pain.

RESULTS

Overall, hypnotherapy was associated with consistent reductions in pain intensity and improvements in psychological outcomes, including anxiety, depression, catastrophizing, and sleep quality. Several studies reported that these improvements were maintained at medium- and long-term follow-ups. Touch-based interventions and biofield therapies were associated with potential improvements in pain-related outcomes and, in some studies, physical function. Some combined approaches integrating hypnosis-based interventions, touch-based interventions, or biofield therapies with conventional treatments were associated with greater improvements than standard care alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite encouraging findings, methodological heterogeneity and variable study quality limit definitive conclusions. Hypnosis-based interventions, touch-based interventions, and biofield therapies may represent complementary approaches to pain management and rehabilitation; however, the available safety and effectiveness evidence remains preliminary.