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Hypnosis for nausea and vomiting in cancer chemotherapy: a systematic review of the research evidence

  1. J. RICHARDSON bsc(hons), phd, rn, cpsychol, pgce, rnt, reader in nursing and health studies1,*,
  2. J.E. SMITH ba(hons), msc, former research assistant2,
  3. G. MCCALL dcr(t), msc, applied hypnosis, senior research radiographer & psychological support3,
  4. A. RICHARDSON bn(hons), msc, phd, rn, pgdiped, rnt, professor of cancer and palliative nursing care4,
  5. K. PILKINGTON bpharm(hons), dipinfsci, msc, pcme, mrpharms5,
  6. I. KIRSCH ba , ma , phd , professor of psychology 6

Article first published online: 12 DEC 2006

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2354.2006.00736.x

Issue

European Journal of Cancer Care

European Journal of Cancer Care

Volume 16, Issue 5, pages 402–412, September 2007

Additional Information

How to Cite

RICHARDSON, J., SMITH, J.E., MCCALL, G., RICHARDSON, A., PILKINGTON, K. and KIRSCH, I. (2007), Hypnosis for nausea and vomiting in cancer chemotherapy: a systematic review of the research evidence. European Journal of Cancer Care, 16: 402–412. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2354.2006.00736.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Faculty of Health and Social Work, Portland Square, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon,

  2. 2

    NHSP/CAMEO project, Research Council for Complementary Medicine,

  3. 3

    South-East London Cancer Centre, St Thomas’ Hospital, London,

  4. 4

    The Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery, King’s College London, Franklin Wilkins Building, London,

  5. 5

    Project Manager/Senior Research Fellow, School of Integrated Health and Research Council for Complementary Medicine, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, London, &

  6. 6

    School of Applied Psychosocial Studies, Portland Square, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, UK

*Dr Janet Richardson, Reader in Nursing and Health Studies, Faculty of Health and Social Work, Portland Square, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA, UK (e-mail: janet.richardson@plymouth.ac.uk).

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 12 DEC 2006
  2. Article first published online: 12 DEC 2006
  3. Accepted 18 September 2006

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Keywords:

  • cancer;
  • chemotherapy;
  • hypnosis;
  • nausea and vomiting;
  • review;
  • meta-analysis

To systematically review the research evidence on the effectiveness of hypnosis for cancer chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). A compre-hensive search of major biomedical databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, ClNAHL, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library was conducted. Specialist complementary and alternative medicine databases were searched and efforts were made to identify unpublished and ongoing research. Citations were included from the databases’ inception to March 2005. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were appraised and meta-analysis undertaken. Clinical commentaries were obtained. Six RCTs evaluating the effectiveness of hypnosis in CINV were found. In five of these studies the participants were children. Studies report positive results including statistically significant reductions in anticipatory and CINV. Meta-analysis revealed a large effect size of hypnotic treatment when compared with treatment as usual, and the effect was at least as large as that of cognitive–behavioural therapy. Meta-analysis has demonstrated that hypnosis could be a clinically valuable intervention for anticipatory and CINV in children with cancer. Further research into the effectiveness, acceptance and feasibility of hypnosis in CINV, particularly in adults, is suggested. Future studies should assess suggestibility and provide full details of the hypnotic intervention.

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