Self-hypnosis for patients with cystic fibrosis.
This report documents the utility of self-hypnosis in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Sixty-three patients 7 years of age or older were offered the opportunity to be taught self-hypnosis by their pulmonologist. Forty-nine agreed to learn it. Patients generally were taught hypnosis in one or two sessions. The outcome of hypnotherapy was determined by patients' answers to open-ended questions regarding their subjective evaluation of the efficacy of hypnosis. The average age of the 49 patients who were taught and used self-hypnosis was 18.1 years (range, 7-49 years). Many of the patients used hypnosis for more than one purpose, including relaxation (61% of patients), relief of pain associated with medical procedures (31%), headache relief (16%), changing the taste of medications to make the flavor more palatable (10%), and control of other symptoms associated with CF (18%). The patients successfully utilized self-hypnosis 86% of the time. No symptoms worsened following hypnotherapy. Sixteen patients chose to practice hypnosis on their own for a half year or longer. In conclusion, with the use of self-hypnosis, patients with CF can quickly learn to enhance their control over discomforts associated with therapy and their disease. Consideration should be given to making instruction in self-hypnosis available to patients with CF.
Anbar
R D
RD
Robert C. Schwartz Cystic Fibrosis Center, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York 13210, USA. Anbarr@mail.upstate.edu
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006990:Hypnosis / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D012648:Self Care