The Effect of Hypnosis on Anxiety in Patients With Cancer: A Meta ‐Analysis

ABSTRACT BackgroundAnxiety is a common form of psychological distress in patients with cancer. One recognized nonpharmacological intervention to reduce anxiety for various populations is hypnotherapy or hypnosis. However, its effect in reducing anxiety in cancer patients has not been systematically evaluated. AimThis meta‐analysis was designed to synthesize the immediate and sustained effects of hypnosis on anxiety of cancer patients and to identify moderators for these hypnosis effects. MethodsQualified studies including randomized controlled trials (RCT) and pre‐post design studies were identified by searching seven electronic databases: Scopus, Medline Ovidsp, PubMed, PsycInfo–Ovid, Academic Search Premier, CINAHL Plus with FT‐EBSCO, and SDOL. Effect size (Hedges’ g) was computed for each study. Random‐effect modeling was used to combine effect sizes across studies. All statistical analyses were conducted with Comprehensive Meta‐Analysis, version 2 (Biostat, Inc., Englewood, NJ, USA). ResultsOur meta‐analysis of 20 studies found that hypnosis had a significant immediate effect on anxiety in cancer patients (Hedges’ g: 0.70–1.41, p < .01) and the effect was sustained (Hedges’ g: 0.61–2.77, p < .01). The adjusted mean effect size (determined by Duvan and Tweedie's trim‐and‐fill method) was 0.46. RCTs had a significantly higher effect size than non‐RCT studies. Higher mean effect sizes were also found with pediatric study samples, hematolog...
Source: Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing - Category: Nursing Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research