Patients undergoing these minimally invasive surgeries were assigned to one of three groups. One group experienced normal interactions with nurses and doctors. Another group received extra attention from an additional person in the operating room. The third group of patients received assistance during their surgery with relaxation techniques, including imagery. Within safety limits, all patients were able to receive as much medication as they needed at any time to control their pain.
Standard protocol calls for conscious sedation, using drugs as needed for pain and anxiety.
The hypnosis group fared best by most measures, but the patients receiving extra attention also benefited. During the operation, pain increased over time in both the standard care and extra attention groups, but remained flat in the self-hypnotic group. The benefits of hypnosis exceeded those of extra attention in shorter surgical time. Procedures were 17 minutes faster in the hypnosis group than the standard care group. Lang believes the patients who are most anxious about their surgical procedures may show the most benefit from self-hypnosis relaxation.