Self-Hypnosis for Phantom Limb Pain: A Multiple-Case Study

Abstract

Phantom limb pain occurs in more than half of the people who have undergone an amputation. Hypnosis can alleviate pain effectively in experimental, procedural, and chronic pain. Thus, in this multiple-case study, we determined whether hypnosis might be a successful complementary approach to help patients with phantom limb pain in alleviating their pain quality (i.e., sensitive and affective), intensity, fatigue, and emotional distress (i.e., anxiety and depression). Seven patients experiencing phantom limb pain were trained to perform self-hypnosis in five sessions over two and a half months. The patients were encouraged to practice at home daily throughout the study. Measures of the intensity of pain and fatigue, the severity of insomnia, anxiety, depression, and the quality of pain (i.e., sensitive and affective) were performed before and after self-hypnosis training. Six years after the completion of the study, the patients were contacted over the telephone to follow up on their practice of self-hypnosis. All patients reported a reduction in the intensity of pain, severity of insomnia, anxiety, and quality of pain. They also reported a positive change in their behaviors and the sensation of pain after performing hypnosis. At the six-year follow-up, three patients were still practicing hypnosis and reported better control over pain and being more relaxed. The main reason for most patients to stop practicing self-hypnosis was that they failed to find the time. Self-hypnosis can effectively ameliorate pain, fatigue, and emotional distress in patients suffering from phantom limb pain. Large-sample clinical trials with a mixed design are needed to confirm these results.