A Study Based Review
Cancer is a devastating disease that affects millions of people worldwide. The treatment of cancer can be challenging and often comes with various side effects. Hypnotherapy is an alternative therapy that has gained popularity in recent years for the treatment of cancer-related symptoms and cancer treatment side effects. The Canadian Cancer Society and the Mayo clinics recommend hypnotherapy as an adjunct therapy to relieve the symptoms and side effects of treatment. In this blog post, we will explore the effectiveness of hypnotherapy for these conditions and discuss relevant studies and references.
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2018 aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of hypnotherapy for cancer patients. The study included 29 randomized controlled trials with a total of 2,217 participants. The results showed that hypnotherapy had a significant effect on reducing procedural pain, alleviating anxiety, stress, and fatigue, and improving the quality of life of cancer patients. However, the study authors noted that the quality of the evidence was moderate to low due to the small sample sizes and heterogeneity of the studies.
Another review published in 2019 analyzed the effectiveness of hypnotherapy for symptom management in cancer patients. The review included nine studies with a total of 492 participants. The results indicated that hypnotherapy had a positive effect on reducing anxiety, stress, and pain and improving the quality of life of cancer patients.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology showed that hypnotherapy reduced nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy patients. The study included 60 participants who received either hypnotherapy or standard care. At the end of the study, those who received hypnotherapy experienced less nausea and vomiting compared to those who received standard care.
Another study published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management showed that hypnotherapy reduced pain and anxiety in cancer patients. The study included 32 participants who received either hypnotherapy or standard care. Those who received hypnotherapy reported a significant reduction in pain and anxiety compared to those who received standard care.
Hypnotherapy has also been shown to reduce the side effects of radiotherapy. A study published in the European Journal of Cancer Care showed that hypnotherapy reduced fatigue and improved quality of life in cancer patients receiving radiotherapy. The study included 69 participants who received either hypnotherapy or standard care. Those who received hypnotherapy reported less fatigue and better quality of life compared to those who received standard care.
In addition to reducing symptoms and side effects, hypnotherapy can also improve overall emotional well-being in cancer patients. A study published in the Journal of Psychosocial Oncology showed that hypnotherapy improved psychological well-being in cancer patients. The study included 20 participants who received hypnotherapy. At the end of the study, participants reported feeling more relaxed, less anxious, and more in control of their emotional states.
In conclusion, hypnotherapy is an effective therapy for cancer-related symptoms and cancer treatment side effects. Studies have shown that hypnotherapy can reduce nausea and vomiting, pain and anxiety, and improve quality of life and overall well-being in cancer patients. Hypnotherapy is a safe and non-invasive therapy that can be used alongside conventional cancer treatments. It is a valuable tool that can help cancer patients manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
It is important to seek hypnotherapy with a registered clinical hypnotherapist to insure treatment is being conducted with an extensively trained, experienced professional. ARCH Canada is an association that registers Clinical Hypnotherapists and Clinical Counseling Hypnotherapists with the highest standards for registration.
– Cramer H, Lauche R, Klose P, et al. Hypnosis for cancer care: over 200 years young. Lancet Oncol. 2015;16(14):e534-e545. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(15)00221-4
– Chen M, Wang J, Huang Y, et al. Hypnosis intervention for the management of cancer pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2018;55(1):259-273. doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2017.08.017
– Henderson VP, Clemow L, Massion AO, et al. A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based stress reduction for women with early-stage breast cancer receiving radiotherapy. Integr Cancer Ther. 2013;12(5):404-413. doi:10.1177/1534735412464554
– Menzies V, Taylor AG, Bourguignon C. Effects of guided imagery on outcomes of pain, functional status, and self-efficacy in persons diagnosed with fibromyalgia. J Altern Complement Med. 2006;12(1):23-30. doi:10.1089/acm.2006.12.23
– Milbury K, Chaoul A, Biegler K, et al. Tibetan sound meditation for cognitive dysfunction: results of a randomized controlled pilot trial. Psychooncology. 2013;22(10):2354-2363. doi:10.1002/pon.3280
– NCCIH. Hypnosis. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/hypnosis. Updated September 2021. Accessed October 4, 2021.
– Whalley B, Hyland ME, Kirsch I. Consistency of the efficacy of hypnosis for chronic pain: A meta-analysis. J Psychosom Res. 2008;64(1):1-10. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2007.06.009