Self-Hypnosis Classes to Enhance the Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

The Healing Skills Project, consisting of five, four-session self-hypnosis classes, was a pilot-study to evaluate the impact of self-hypnosis on the quality of life for breast cancer patients. The impact of self-hypnosis in women with breast cancer was measured using a self-report instrument, the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast, pre- and post-intervention (Brady, et al., 1997; Maratia, Cedillo, & Rejas, 2016). After employing the self-hypnosis interventions, statistically significant changes were noted on 16 of the 36 items, despite the small sample size (N = 23). In summary, participants reported significantly less trouble meeting the needs of their family; less side effects; felt less ill, sad, and nervous; had less worry about dying and their condition getting worse; less shortness of breath; less swelling or tenderness in their arms; and less worry about the effects of stress on their illness. Participants also reported being significantly more able to enjoy life and sleep well; enjoy the usual things they do for fun; more content with their quality of life; feeling more attractive and more like a woman. Additionally, on a brief evaluation of the intervention form 86% of the participants indicated that the self-hypnosis classes were very useful and 100% indicated that it contributed to a noticeably improved quality of life. The pilot study offers support for the value of teaching self-hypnosis to breast cancer patients. This article includes an outline of the protocol for the four-session self-hypnosis classes.

Keywords:

• cancer patients
• empowering the patient
• hypnosis
• quality of life
• self-hypnosis

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Pamela George, Ph.D. for running the statistical analyses and assisting in analyzing the results.

Funding

This pilot study was conducted in conjunction with the Duke Cancer Patient Support Program (DCPSP), Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, North Carolina. This program, titled the Healing Skills Project, was funded by a grant from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (Triangle Affiliate). The grant proposal was developed in conjunction with Rachel Schanberg, M.Ed. and Kimberly Blackwell, M.D. Although the grant and pilot study have ended, due to on-going requests, the DCPSP continues to offer the classes several times per year for the general population of cancer patients.