Does practising hypnosis-derived communication techniques by oncology nurses translate into reduced pain and distress in their patients? An exploratory study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the effects of a hypnotic communication (HC) training for paediatric nurses in decreasing patients' pain and distress during venipunctures. METHODS: A 4-day theoretical and practical HC training was offered to five paediatric oncology nurses. The effects of HC were tested with 22 young cancer patients (13 girls, 9 boys, 10 ± 4 years) over four time points, with 88 encounters being video-recorded and coded in stable professional-patient dyads. Patients' pain and distress were rated by patients and parents with visual analogue scales and coded from recordings using the Faces, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability (FLACC) scale. RESULTS: We observed a significant decrease in pre-post distress reported by parents (d = 0.45, p = 0.046). Two out of five nurses with higher skills acquisition had larger reduction in patients' self-reported pain (d = 1.03, p = 0.028), parents perceived pain (d = 1.09, p = 0.042), distress (d = 1.05, p = 0.043) as well as observed pain (d = 1.22, p = 0.025). Favourable results on pain and distress did not maintain at follow-up. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Training nurses in HC may translate into improved pain and distress in patients, both self-rated and observed provided that skills are used in practice. HC training is a promising non-pharmacological intervention to address pain in paediatrics.

Do professionals change their communication behaviours following a training in hypnosis-derived communication? A feasibility study in pediatric oncology.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of a training in hypnotic communication techniques (HCTech) for pediatric nurses to prevent procedural pain and distress in children during venipunctures. Specifically, this study aimed to (1) assess nurses' mastery of HCTech and (2) nurses' experience regarding the training program. METHODS: Participants were 6 female pediatric nurses and 33 of their cancer patients. Nurses took part in a 4-day theoretical and practical training in HCTech. Venipuncture procedures were video-recorded and assessed to evaluate nurses' mastery of HCTech using a standardized scale. Pre-training use of HCTech was compared with post-training and follow-up for the entire nurse sample and across nurses with the same patients (109 nurse-patient interactions). After the follow-up, nurses were questioned about their experience in regards to the training and activities (themes and practice). RESULTS: Results showed medium pre-post changes in hypnotic communication behaviours (pre-post d = 0.74), with changes maintaining at follow-up (pre-follow-up d = 0.97). Interviews transcripts' analyses revealed moderate levels of motivation and satisfaction regarding the training content and format. Nurses suggested to emphasize on the practice of HCTech in a noisy outpatient clinic as well as offer more practical exercises. CONCLUSION: A 4-day training in hypnotic communication techniques translated into the use of HCTech by nurses practicing in pediatric oncology when comparing the same dyads at baseline, post-training and follow-up. Results support further refinement and suggest nurses could be trained to prevent pain and distress with hypnosis-derived communication strategies.

Development and inter-rater reliability of a tool assessing hypnotic communication behaviours adopted by nurses caring for children with cancer: The Sainte-Justine Hypnotic Communication Assessment Scale.

BACKGROUND: Several studies in pediatric oncology have shown the successful effects of using hypnotic communication techniques (HCTech) during painful medical procedures. Since no studies assessed the precise use of these techniques with a validated tool, it is unsure that the observed relationships involve the use of HCTech. OBJECTIVES: To develop a scale evaluating healthcare professionals' behaviours when using HCTech and to evaluate its inter-rater reliability. METHODS: This study involved the preliminary steps of the Sainte-Justine Hypnotic Communication Assessment Scale (SJ-HCAS) development process. As part of a larger intervention study, the SJ-HCAS was developed in three steps by five experts and four lay raters using an iterative process applied to subsets of video-recorded nurse-patient interactions. The development aimed to maximize clarity and precision of items as well as minimize redundancy amongst items. Inter-rater reliability was assessed in a randomly selected sample of 1/3 of collected video-recorded interactions (n=42). RESULTS: The final version of the scale is composed of 11 items categorized in two domains pertaining to Relationship and Technique. We found excellent inter-rater reliability for both subscores and total score in two independent inter-rater comparisons (median ICC=0.879), with most items showing very good to perfect inter-rater reliability (median Kappa=0.847). CONCLUSIONS: The results support further work with the SJ-HCAS. The scale has the potential to help ensure the integrity of hypnotic communication training in children which could ultimately promote the dissemination of the practice of HCTech.

Guided Imagery for Adolescent Post-spinal Fusion Pain Management: A Pilot Study.

Orthopedic surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis entails anxiety and severe postoperative pain. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate an intervention for adolescent post-spinal fusion pain management in patients from a tertiary care hospital in Montreal, Canada. Participants were adolescents and young adults ages 11 to 20 years undergoing spinal fusion. Participants were randomized to standard care or standard care with adjunct intervention. The intervention consisted of a DVD with information and guided imagery/relaxation exercises to practice at least three times a week at home. A nurse screened the DVD with the patient preoperatively and at discharge (T1) and telephoned 2 weeks post-discharge (T2) to reinforce the technique. Both groups completed questionnaires at T1, T2, and T3 (1-month postoperative follow-up). Outcome measures included pain intensity, anxiety, coping mechanisms, and daily activities. From March 2010 to June 2011, we enrolled 40 of 45 eligible participants (n = 20 per group), average age 15 ± 2.1 years, 7 participants were male. Compared with the control group, the experimental group experienced significantly less overall pain at all time points, with moderate to large effect sizes at T2, T3 (p ≤ .007). Worst pain in 24 hours was moderately decreased at T2 (p = .01). State-trait anxiety remained high. On a 10-point scale, a median 2.5-point benefit was seen in eating and sleeping (Mann-Whitney test, p = .002), and 2 points in walking (Mann-Whitney test, p = .003). Coping strategies showed no significant differences. Addition of a guided imagery and relaxation exercise DVD for home use was more effective than standard care alone for postoperative pain. Our nonpharmacologic adjunct looks promising. Larger sample size and longer (6-9 months) follow-up will permit refinement.