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64
ERIC
P.
SIMONAND
MONIQUE
M.
CANONICO
with adult patients. Furthermore, no studies to date exist concerning
hypnosis for dementia patients.However, it is not uncommon for adult
dementia patients to undergo an
LP
and
experience significant proce-
dural distress.
This
canresult in increasedmedical risk, frustrated medi-
cal staff, unnecessarilylengthenedprocedures, and sometimespatients'
inability to sufficiently allow physicians to accomplish the procedure.
Although our ability to generalize fromone case
is,
of course, quite lim-
ited, we make the followingobservationsregarding the use of hypnosis
for
LP
with this patient population.
First, the physicianconductingthe
LP
should
be
consulted
so
that
the
hypnotic rehearsal and inductioncanbe appropriately constructed.Sec-
ond, a preprocedural session should be conducted, which should
include a hypnotic assessment, preparation for the procedure, hypnotic
rehearsal, suggestions for procedural comfort, and safe space imagery
obtained from the patient. Third, the hypnotic induction should be very
directive, without extended pauses, providing constant direction and
essentially serving as the patient's frontal lobes. Fourth, the therapist
should incorporate time distortion techniques, distraction techniques,
and sensation reframing techniques. Fifth, all hypnotic suggestions
should be coordinated
so
that they arecongruentwith bodily sensations.
Sixth, any adjunctive treatment providers who are present for observa-
tion or assistance shouldbe instructed a priori regarding proper bedside
manner; in addition, prior to theprocedure, thepatient canbe given sug-
gestions that any disruptions to a pleasant experiencecan be ignored.
Finally, we are keenly aware that
RO
singlecase study can sufficiently
document the efficacy of this sort of intervention;nor can it definitively
unravel
the
mechanisms that might underlie
such
efficacy.Noting the
mature and foundational work in the pediatric literature, however, our
hope
is
that future clinically based research with adult, cognitively
impaired subjectswill similarlyrefineour understanding of if, and how,
hypnosis canbe of benefit for patients facing
LP
and LP-likeprocedures.
REFERENCES
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Stenn,
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Barber,
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New York
Biddle,
W.
E.
(1967).
Hypnosis in the psychoses.
Springfield,
IL:
Charles C Thomas.
Bowers,
M. K.
(1961).Theoreticalconsiderations in theuse of hypnosis in the treatment
of
schizophrenia.
International journal of Clinical
and
Experimental
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9,3946.
Cautela,
J.
(1966). Desensitization factors in the hypnotic treatment
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phobias.
journal
of
Channon, L. (1983).The use
of
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for
the
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Australian
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Gastroenterology,
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Norton.
Psychology,
1966,277-288.
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