The treatment of contractures of the hand using self-hypnosis.
The successful treatment of a man with severe posttraumatic contractures of the hand using a combined psychological and physical rehabilitation approach is reported. The contractures had functional and organic components, as did the treatment, which involved teaching the patient self-hypnosis exercises and the use of a splint. The patient obtained virtually complete return of movement after 3 1/2 years of total disability. The importance of identifying and mobilizing rather than challenging the patient's motivation for recovery using a rehabilitation approach is discussed. Hypnosis can facilitate recovery in such psychosomatic disorders in patients with the requisite hypnotic capacity and motivation.
D000328:Adult; D003286:Contracture / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000150:complications; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D006990:Hypnosis / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D013165:Splints