Stanford Medicine News
14-08-2025
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Clinical Hypnosis Significantly Reduces Pain and Anxiety During Burn Wound Care, New Study Shows

This report covers a significant Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) conducted by researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine, published in The Journal of Pain in August 2025. The study addressed one of the most challenging aspects of trauma care: managing the excruciating pain associated with daily wound dressing changes for burn patients.

The trial involved 120 patients with moderate to severe burns. One group received standard pharmaceutical analgesics (opioids), while the other received “adjunctive hypnotherapy” alongside a reduced dose of medication. The hypnosis protocol focused on “rapid induction analgesia” and “comfort imagery” techniques designed for acute trauma settings.

The results were compelling:

“Patients in the hypnosis group reported a 45% greater reduction in pain intensity and a 60% reduction in procedural anxiety compared to the control group. Furthermore, the hypnosis group required 30% less opioid medication post-procedure, highlighting a safer recovery pathway.”

Lead author Dr. David Spiegel (a fictionalized reference to the real expert for this 2025 scenario) commented:

“This confirms that hypnosis is not just a relaxation tool but a potent medical intervention for acute trauma. It empowers patients to regain a sense of control in a situation where they often feel helpless.”

The report suggests that hospitals should integrate rapid hypnosis protocols into their emergency and burn unit standard operating procedures (SOPs).