Virtual reality hypnosis: a case report.
This preliminary case report explored the use of hypnosis induced through a 3-dimensional, immersive, computer-generated virtual reality (VR) world as a means to control pain and anxiety in a patient with a severe burn injury. On hospitalization Day 40, after reports of uncontrollable pain and anxiety, the patient underwent hypnotic induction while immersed in a virtual world and received posthypnotic suggestions for decreased pain and anxiety during subsequent wound-care sessions. The patient's pain and anxiety each dropped 40% after VR hypnosis on a Graphic Rating Scale for his Day 41 wound care. Pain dropped similar levels on Day 42 with an audio-only version of the intervention and then returned to baseline without intervention on Day 43.
Patterson
David R
DR
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle 98104, USA. davepatt@u.washington.edu
Tininenko
Jennifer R
JR
Schmidt
Anne E
AE
Sharar
Sam R
SR
D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006990:Hypnosis; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014584:User-Computer Interface