Perceptions of the effects of recorded hypnosis and relaxation interventions for cancer survivors with chronic pain.
Linda H Eaton, Min Kyeong Jang, Mark P Jensen and 2 others
PMID 39284247WHAT IT FOUND
Cancer survivors with chronic pain described hypnosis or relaxation recordings as giving temporary pain relief, more control, better sleep, and less anxiety.
Most found them enjoyable, but not everyone felt relief.
Key findings
01Most participants (78%) reported pain relief while listening to the hypnosis or relaxation recordings, and described it as often temporary.
02Participants described using the recordings to gain control over pain and self-manage discomfort, including with focused breathing.
03Sleep quality was the most common improved symptom; anxiety and mood also improved for some.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The interview participants were a self-selected subset of trial participants, mostly women with breast cancer who identified as non-Hispanic White, so the findings may not transfer to men, other cancer diagnoses, or other racial and ethnic groups. Not all trial participants completed interviews, so some experiences and possible adverse effects may be missing. The hypnosis and relaxation groups were combined during analysis because responses were similar, so the study cannot separate perceptions of one intervention from the other. The study reports perceptions, not measured pain outcomes, and the parent trial's quantitative results are not analyzed here. Audio recording delivery may lack the therapeutic alliance that can influence response to hypnosis. Negative effects were not specifically asked about, and no adverse effects were described.
Declared interests
No author conflict statement is included in the supplied text; the publication types list NIH extramural research support.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these themes as proof that hypnosis or relaxation recordings reduce cancer pain. They are participants' perceptions after using the recordings, and the study combined the two groups, so it cannot separate any difference between them.