Hypnosis for burn-related pain: Case studies and a review of the literature

Abstract

Burn injuries create severe pain and psychological distress that are highly variable between patients. Distinct types of pain during various stages of injury and recovery make treatment complex. Standard pharmacological treatment of pain can have adverse effects and is not effective in treating anxiety and other psychological issues. Researchers have proposed that integrating clinical hypnosis as a complementary therapy can be highly beneficial to burn patients and their healthcare providers. The existing literature is reviewed and specific hypnosis techniques are discussed. Evidence exists indicating that adjunctive hypnosis is effective at reducing pain and procedural anxiety. Implementing a multidisciplinary burn care team that includes clinical hypnosis and focuses on the patients’ psychological health as well as pain reduction is likely to result in faster healing and reduced distress for patients and caregivers alike.

Keywords: Hypnosis; Burns; Burn units; Complementary therapies; Anesthetic hypnosis

Core tip: After a burn injury, patients can suffer from severe pain and psychological distress with high variability between patients. Standard pharmacological treatment of pain may have adverse effects and may not be effective in treating psychological issues. Evidence indicates that adjunctive hypnosis and a focus on patients’ psychological health as well as pain reduction is effective at accelerating recovery, reducing pain, and decreasing procedural anxiety. Information on clinical hypnosis as well as specific hypnosis techniques and suggestions for analgesia are discussed herein.