Analgesic effects of posthypnotic suggestions and virtual reality distraction on thermal pain
Abstract
The individual and combined effects of posthypnotic suggestion (PHS) and virtual reality distraction (VRD) on experimentally induced thermal pain were examined using a 2 x 2, between-groups design. After receiving baseline thermal pain, each participant received hypnosis or no hypnosis, followed by VRD or no VRD during another pain stimulus. Consistent with the hypothesis that hypnosis and VRD work via different mechanisms, results show that posthypnotic analgesia was moderated by hypnotizability but VRD analgesia was not. The impact of PHSs for analgesia was specific to high hypnotizables, whereas VRD was effective independent of hypnotizability. Results also show a nonsignificant but predicted pattern for high hypnotizables: Audio hypnosis combined with VRD reduced worst pain 22% more and pain unpleasantness 25% more than did VRD alone. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.
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Meta-analyses, narrative reviews, and randomized clinical studies support the potential clinical utility of hypnosis with surgical patients.
“Furthermore, meta-analyses [33], narrative reviews [34,35], and randomized clinical studies [36–39] all support the potential clinical utility of hypnosis with surgical patients.”
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“Furthermore, meta-analyses [33], narrative reviews [34,35], and randomized clinical studies [36–39] all support the potential clinical utility of hypnosis with surgical patients.”
- Authors
- Patterson, D. R., Hoffman, H. G., Palacios, A. G., & Jensen, M. J.
- Affiliations
- University of Washington (US)
- Venue
- Journal of Abnormal Psychology
- Published
- 2006-11
- Volume
- 115
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 834-841
- ISSN
- 0021-843X (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1846
- OpenAlex
- W1988947932
- Cited by
- 100
- References
- 38
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 0.97
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Abnormal Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (R01 GM42725-09A1; 1 R21 HD40954-01)
- Paul Allen Family Foundation
- Inger & Jens Bruun Foundation
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Pain Management and Placebo Effect
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Pediatric Pain Management Techniques
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts
- Keywords
- posthypnotic suggestion, virtual reality distraction, thermal pain, hypnotic analgesia, hypnotic susceptibility, pain unpleasantness, pain modulation
- MeSH terms
- Acoustic Stimulation, Adolescent, Adult, Analgesia, Attention, Female, Hot Temperature, Humans, Hypnosis, Male, Pain, Pain Measurement, User-Computer Interface
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