Hypnotherapy for control of anticipatory nausea and vomiting in children with cancer: Preliminary findings

Abstract

Abstract Paediatric oncology patients often experience significant chemotherapy related nausea and vomiting (NV). A number of controlled studies have shown that a variety of behavioural interventions are effective in treating both anticipatory and postchemotherapy NV. The present randomised, controlled‐design study aims to assess the possible therapeutic gains that may be derived from hypnosis while controlling for gains that may be derived from non‐specific therapeutic factors. Thirty paediatric oncology patients (5–17 years of age), following baseline assessment, were randomly assigned to one of three groups—‘treatment as usual’ control group, therapist contact group, and a hypnosis training group—during an identical chemotherapy pulse. Statistical analysis demonstrates the effectiveness of hypnosis for the reduction of anticipatory nausea and vomiting. Therapist contact alone was also found to be effective in reducing anticipatory nausea but it is suggested that this may be a statistical rather than a clinical effect. The results of the present study suggest that hypnosis is effective in the treatment of ANV in children.