Hypnotism can curb chronic pain, University of Washington study finds

Key Points:

• University of Washington researchers are investigating clinical hypnosis, a form of intense relaxation and self-suggestion, as a therapy to reduce chronic pain in spinal cord injury patients by altering brain perception of pain.
• The study involved 127 participants undergoing weekly group hypnosis sessions followed by daily self-guided recordings, leading to a 19.3% reduction in pain after six weeks and a 24.5% reduction twelve weeks post-treatment, outperforming control groups.
• Hypnotic cognitive therapy also significantly improved depression symptoms and sleep disturbances among participants, suggesting additional benefits beyond pain relief.
• Researchers emphasize that clinical hypnosis is a safe, self-directed therapeutic technique distinct from stage hypnosis, and advocate it as a promising non-opioid alternative for managing chronic pain.
• The study underscores the importance of licensed medical professionals administering hypnosis and expresses hope for broader application in treating various chronic pain conditions.