The Feasibility of Hypnotic Analgesia in Ameliorating Pain and Anxiety Among Adults Undergoing Needle Electromyography.

Author(s): Slack D, Nelson L, Patterson D, Burns S, Hakimi K, Robinson L

Affiliation(s): Affiliations: From the Rehabilitation Care Services Electrodiagnostic Clinic, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System (DS); and Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center Electrodiagnostic Clinic, Seattle, Washington (LN, DP, SB, KH, LR).

Publication date & source: 2008-10-25, Am J Phys Med Rehabil., [Epub ahead of print]

Publication type:

Slack D, Nelson L, Patterson D, Burns S, Hakimi K, Robinson L: The feasibility of hypnotic analgesia in ameliorating pain and anxiety among adults undergoing needle electromyography. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2008;87:***-***. OBJECTIVE:: Our hypothesis was that hypnotic analgesia reduces pain and anxiety during electromyography (EMG). DESIGN:: We performed a prospective randomized, controlled clinical trial at outpatient electrodiagnostic clinics in teaching hospitals. Just before EMG, 26 subjects were randomized to one of three 20-min audio programs: education about EMG (EDU) (n = 8); hypnotic induction without analgesic suggestion (n = 10); or hypnotic induction with analgesic suggestion (n = 8). The blinded electromyographer provided a posthypnotic suggestion at the start of EMG. After EMG, subjects rated worst and average pain and anxiety using visual analog scales. RESULTS:: Mean values for the EDU, hypnotic induction without analgesic suggestion, and hypnotic induction with analgesic suggestion groups were not significantly different (mean +/- SD): worst pain 67 +/- 25, 42 +/- 18, and 49 +/- 30; average pain 35 +/- 26, 27 +/- 14, and 25 +/- 22; and anxiety 44 +/- 41, 42 +/- 23, and 22 +/- 24. When hypnosis groups were merged (n = 18) and compared with the EDU condition (n = 8), average and worst pain and anxiety were less for the hypnosis group than EDU, but this was statistically significant only for worst pain (hypnosis, 46 +/- 24 vs. EDU, 67 +/- 35; P = 0.049) with a 31% average reduction. CONCLUSIONS:: A short hypnotic induction seems to reduce worst pain during electromyography.