Does practising hypnosis-derived communication techniques by oncology nurses translate into reduced pain and distress in their patients? : an exploratory study

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the effects of a hypnotic communication (HC) training for pediatric nurses in decreasing patients’ pain and distress during venipunctures. Methods: A 4- day theoretical and practical HC training was offered to 5 pediatric oncology nurses. The effects of HC were tested with 22 young cancer patients (13 girls, 9 boys, 10±4 years) over 4 timepoints, with 88 encounters being video-recorded and coded in stable professional-patient dyads. Patients’ pain and distress were rated by patients and parents with visual analogue scales and coded from recordings using the Faces, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability (FLACC) scale. Results: We observed a significant decrease in pre-post distress reported by parents (d=0.45, p=0.046). Two (out of 5) nurses with higher skills acquisition had larger reduction in patients’ self-reported pain (d=1.03, p=0.028), parents perceived pain (d=1.09, p=0.042), distress (d=1.05, p=0.043) as well as observed pain (d=1.22 p=0.025). Favorable results on pain and distress did not maintain at follow-up. Conclusion and clinical implications: Training nurses in HC may translate into improved pain and distress in patients, both self-rated and observed provided that skills are used in practice. HC training is a promising non-pharmacological intervention to address pain in pediatrics.