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EFFECTIVENESS OF HYPNOTHERAPY WITH CANCER PATIENTS 345
anxiety, and analgesics requirement in cancer patients (Syrjala et al.,
1992) and noncancer patients (Lang et al., 2000; Patterson et al., 1992;
Schupp et al., 2005).
Nausea and Emesis
Pharmacotherapy is the standard of care with respect to preventing
nausea and vomiting for children and adults receiving chemotherapy
(Dupuis & Nathan, 2003; Hesketh et al., 2006). In a review that focused
on the effects of psychological treatment on cancer patients, Trijsburg
et al. (1992) appraised studies published between 1976 and 1990. They
reported that behavioral interventions and hypnosis were effective in
anxiety, depression, nausea, and vomiting (six studies). The duration
and number of sessions varied considerably and there were inconsis-
tencies in the description of treatments used in the studies. Pinnell and
Covino (2000) critically reviewed several studies that have investi-
gated the effectiveness of hypnosis for nausea and vomiting pre- and
postchemotherapy. One reviewed study did not label their interven-
tion as hypnosis (Lyles, Burish, Krozely, & Oldham, 1982). Two studies
showed reduction of anticipatory nausea (Zeltzer, Dolgin, LeBaron, &
LeBaron, 1991) and decrease of antiemetic drugs at 2 months postdiag-
nosis (Jacknow, Tschann, Link, & Boyce, 1994). One study showed no
impact of hypnosis on postchemotherapy nausea (Syrjala et al., 1992).
In our search, no RCT and only one case study was found in the
1999–2006 period regarding the use of hypnosis in the treatment of
anticipatory nausea and vomiting. In cancer patients receiving chemo-
therapy, Marchioro et al. (2000) treated 16 consecutive patients with
relaxation followed by hypnosis after they had two cycles of treatment
and before they received two subsequent chemotherapy treatments. In
all patients, anticipatory nausea and vomiting disappeared. Most
patients (14/16) experienced either none or one episode of their
chemotherapy-induced emesis (mild nausea with no vomiting) while 2
patients were classified as nonresponders. Authors did include a brief
description of their hypnosis intervention. Only descriptive analyses
were presented.
Achieving Immobilization and Anxiolysis in the Radiotherapy Suite
A certain number of patients manifest anxiety reactions (claustro-
phobia) as a result of (or in anticipatory fear of) the radiotherapy
context. Patients find themselves alone, in a suite without windows,
and closed in behind the radiation-shielded door. Furthermore, a
specific group of patients reacts negatively to the temporary fixation
of head and neck region in the radiation therapy suite. Both situa-
tions induce what is described as an anxiety state, resulting in
decreased compliance, which causes interruption of the treatment
procedure.
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