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Self-hypnosis training for headaches in children and adolescents. |
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Friday, 06 July 2007 |
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Researchers from the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota, in a retrospective study of clinical records, found that self-hypnosis significantly improved symptoms of recurrent headache in children and adolescents.
Researchers from the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota did a retrospective review of 178 consecutive outpatient clinical records (referred to the Behavioral Pediatrics Program from 1988-2001) to see if self-hypnosis helped children and youths with symptoms of recurrent headaches.
All the patients were taught self-hypnosis for self-regulation. Measures were taken for intensity, frequency, and duration of headaches before, during, and after treatment. Outcomes included number and frequency of visits, types of medication, and the nature of self-hypnosis practice.
Data were available for 144 patients in this patient self-selected and uncontrolled observation. Compared with self-reports before learning self-hypnosis, children and youths who learned self-hypnosis for recurrent headaches reported a dramatic reduction in frequency of headache from an average of 4.5 per week to 1.4 per week (P < .01); reduction in intensity (on a self-rating scale of 0 to 12) from an average of 10.3 to 4.7, P < .01; and a reduction in average duration from 23.6 hours to 3.0 hours, (P < .01). There were no adverse side effects of self-hypnosis.
The investigators conclude that training in self-hypnosis is associated with significant improvement of chronic recurrent headaches in children and adolescents.
Citation: Kohen DP, Zajac R. Self-hypnosis training for headaches in children and adolescents. Journal of Pediatrics. 2007 Jun;150 (6): pages 635-9.
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