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.

Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2009 Jan;88(1):21-9. Slack D, Nelson L, Patterson D, Burns S, Hakimi K, Robinson L. Rehabilitation Care Services Electrodiagnostic Clinic, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA.

Mary Llewellyn is a Hypnotherapist / Psychotherapist. She also uses Energy Therapies and Art Therapy. She works full-time at the clinic. She is also a Energy Therapy Courses tutor. Mary teaches many skills and psychological techniques to enable clients to help themselves. She is a "Certified Educator" for the National Council of Hypnotherapists and a "Course Provider" for the National Council for Psychotherapy. Mary is a member of the British Psychological Society, and is a Fellow of the Hypnotherapy Research Society. She has been awarded "Master Practitioner" status by Gary Craig the originator of EFT

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