Objective: To observe the effect of hypnosis on pain and fear in the healthy acupuncture subjects.
Methods: A total of 52 healthy subjects were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 26 cases in each one. In the observation group, the subjects received the first-time acupuncture under hypnosis. After wakened up and 30 min later, the subjects received the second-time acupuncture under clear consciousness condition. In the control group, the subjects received the first-time acupuncture under clear consciousness condition, 30 min later, received the second-time acupuncture under hypnosis. Likert scale was adopted to investigate the relaxation, pain sensation and the willingness in the subjects at the normal condition before acupuncture, after the first-time and the second-time acupuncture of the two groups separately. Using Boeran electronic blood pressure monitor, the pulse and blood pressure were measured in the subjects at the normal condition and after the first-time acupuncture of the two groups.
Results: Compared with the normal condition, the relaxation degree was increased, the pain sensation decreased and the willingness enhanced after acupuncture either after hypnosis or after wakened-up in the observation group (P<0.001). The difference was not significant in each index between acupuncture after hypnosis and acupuncture after wakened-up in the observation group (P>0.05). In the control group, compared with the normal condition, after the first-time acupuncture (acupuncture in clear consciousness), the relaxation degree was decreased, pain was alleviated and the willingness was increased when acupuncture was exerted once again (P<0.001, P<0.05); compared with the normal condition, after the second-time acupuncture (acupuncture after hypnosis), pain was alleviated and the willingness increased (P<0.001), but the difference in relaxation was not significant (P>0.05); compared with the first-time acupuncture, the relaxation degree was increased, pain alleviated and willingness enhanced after the second-time acupuncture (acupuncture after hypnosis) (P<0.05, P<0.001). Compared with the control group after the first-time acupuncture (acupuncture in clear consciousness), the relaxation degree and willingness were increased and the pain sensation was reduced in the observation group during acupuncture either after hypnosis or after wakened-up (P<0.001). Compared with the control group the second-time acupuncture (during acupuncture after hypnosis), the relaxation degree was increased and pain sensation reduced in the observation group during acupuncture either after hypnosis or after wakened-up (P<0.01, P<0.001), but the difference was not significant in willingness (P>0.05). In the control group, compared with the normal condition, the pulse was faster, both the diastolic pressure and systolic pressure were increased after the first-time acupuncture (P<0.05, P<0.01). In the observation group, compared with the normal condition, the pulse was getting slow and blood pressure was reduced after the first-time (acupuncture under hypnosis, P<0.01). Compared with the first-time acupuncture in the control group, pulse was getting slow and blood pressure was reduced in the observation group after acupuncture under hypnosis (P<0.001).
Conclusion: During acupuncture, with hypnosis combined, the fear alleviates, pain reduces and the willingness of acupuncture increases in the subjects.
Keywords: acupuncture; fear; hypnosis; pain.