An upcoming article on the efficacy of hypnotherapy for burn patients is planned for this page. In the meantime the American Hypnosis Association recommends the following articles to learn more about how hypnotherapy can help with these situations.
If you or someone you know would like more information about how hypnotherapy may help with an issue, contact us online or call the office at 469-225-9040.
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William Carpenter holds a dual certification in Hypnosis and Pain Management from the American Hypnosis Association. |
“An Experimental Study of Hypnosis in Painful Burns”
Notes: The present study examines the usefulness of hypnosis in the control of acute pain in thermal and electrically burned patients as an adjunctive analgesic during the routine care of burn wounds. It was hypothesized that the use of hypnosis would lead to significant reductions in the amount of drugs needed as compared to patients using medication only. Anxiety and discomfort associated with daily tanking, debridement, and dressing changes were expected to be reduced because of the introduction of hypnotic procedures. The experimental study also examined the variables of age and percent of burns. Two studies were conducted including patients with 0-30% total body burns and 31-60% burns. A variety of hypnotic techniques were used.
Results: Both studies revealed significantly lower percentages of medication used (p < .01) by the hypnotic groups than control groups. (Wakeman & Kaplan, 1978)
“Hypnosis for the treatment of burn pain”
Notes: Investigated the clinical utility of hypnosis for controlling pain during wound debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue from a wound to promote healing). Thirty hospitalized burn patients and their nurses submitted visual analog scales (VASs) for pain during 2 consecutive daily wound debridements. On the 1st day, patients and nurses submitted baseline VAS ratings. Before the next day's wound debridement, subjects received hypnosis, attention and information, or no treatment.
Results: Only hypnotized subjects reported significant pain reductions relative to pretreatment baseline. This result was corroborated by nurse VAS ratings. Findings indicate that hypnosis is a viable adjunct treatment for burn pain. (Patterson, Everett, Burns, & Marvin, 1992)
“Psychological approaches during dressing changes of burned patients: a prospective randomised [sic] study comparing hypnosis against stress reducing strategy”
Results: The comparison of the two treatment groups indicated that VAS anxiety scores were significantly decreased before and during dressing changes when the hypnotic technique was used instead of stress reducing strategies (SRS). (Frenay, Faymonville, Devlieger, Albert, & Vanderkelen, 2001)
“Hypnosis and pain in patients with severe burns: a pilot study”
Results: Results show a 50-64 percent decrease in reported pain level for three patients and a 52 percent increase of pain for one patient. The mean decrease for these four patients was 30 percent (for overall as well as worst pain during dressing changes). A 30 percent reduction of anxiety level and a modest reduction of medication use were achieved concurrently. It is concluded that hypnosis is of potential value during dressing changes of burn patients. (Van der Does, Van Dyck, & Spijker, 1988)
“Medical hypnosis for pain and psychological distress during burn wound debridement: a critical review”
Results: The results of these studies suggest that hypnosis may be more effective than structured attention for reducing patients’ pain and anxiety levels during wound debridement. The existing evidence suggests that hypnosis may be effective in managing pain and distress for burn victims who have difficulty coping during wound debridement.
References
Frenay, M. C., Faymonville, M. E., Devlieger, S., Albert, A., & Vanderkelen, A. (2001). Psychological approaches during dressing changes of burned patients: a prospective randomised study comparing hypnosis against stress reducing strategy. Burns, 27(8), 793-799.
Patterson, D. R., Everett, J. J., Burns, G. L., & Marvin, J. A. (1992). Hypnosis for the treatment of burn pain. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 60(5), 713.
Sliwinski, J., Fisher, W., Johnson, A., & Elkins, G. (2013). Medical hypnosis for pain and psychological distress during burn wound debridement: a critical review. OA Alternative Medicine, Apr(1),
Van der Does, A. J. W., Van Dyck, R., & Spijker, R. E. (1988). Hypnosis and pain in patients with severe burns: a pilot study. Burns, 14(5), 399-404.
Wakeman, R. J., & Kaplan, J. Z. (1978). An experimental study of hypnosis in painful burns. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 21(1), 3-12.
