A hypnosis session before a woman undergoes breast cancer surgery can have tremendous benefits, according to a new study. The research finds the use of hypnosis reduced the amount of anesthesia used during surgery, the time it took for the surgery, the level of pain afterwards, and the overall cost of the procedure.
Breast cancer surgery patients often suffer side effects such as pain, nausea and fatigue during and after their operation. These side effects can lead to longer hospital stays and increased medical costs. Previous research suggested that hypnosis could be beneficial and now a new study confirms it.
The clinical trial was conducted by doctors from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. Two-hundred women who were undergoing breast cancer surgery were randomly assigned to get either hypnosis one hour before surgery or a control session where they just spoke with a psychologist. The hypnosis session included suggestions for relaxation, how to use visual imagery and tips for reducing pain, nausea and fatigue. The group also learned how to do hypnosis on their own. Researchers then compared the use of pain medications and levels of pain in both groups of women.
Study authors report the women who received hypnosis required less anesthesia during surgery and reported less pain, nausea, fatigue, discomfort and emotional upset after surgery. They also spent 11 minutes less in surgery, and their surgical costs were $773 less per patient, mainly due to the time savings during surgery.
In an accompanying editorial, David Spiegel, M.D., from Stanford University School of Medicine, says clearly the mind has something to do with pain and can be a powerful tool in controlling it. He believes it is evident that we can retrain the brain to reduce pain.
SOURCE: Journal of National Cancer Institute, published online on Aug. 28, 2007