Use of Hypnotic Techniques in Children and Adolescents with Chronic Pain: Do the Ages of Patients or Years of Practice and Theoretical Orientation of Clinicians Matter?

Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2016 Oct-Dec;64(4):483-98. doi: 10.1080/00207144.2016.1171095.

Abstract

Hypnosis is known to be effective in the treatment of pediatric pain. To better understand which strategies might be most useful, more knowledge is needed regarding the strategies that are actually used by experienced clinicians and the factors that influence their use. To address this knowledge gap, 35 health care professionals completed an online survey on the use of hypnosis in the management of pediatric chronic pain. The findings indicate that clinicians vary their use of hypnotic strategies primarily as a function of a patient's age but not as a function of theoretical orientation or amount of experience. The findings may be useful for guiding clinicians in their selection of strategies and suggestions when working with children with pain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Chronic Pain / therapy*
  • Clinical Competence
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypnosis / methods*
  • Hypnosis / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Pain Management / methods*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome