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I hurt so: hypnotic interventions and palliative care for traumatic brain injury.

Donald Moss

Annals of Palliative Medicine September 12, 2017 DOI: 10.21037/apm.2017.08.16 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Case study Case report Peer reviewed
Sample size 1
Population A 38-year-old woman with traumatic brain injury secondary to a motor vehicle accident
Interventions Self-hypnosis Hypnosis-assisted psychotherapy Palliative care strategies Spiritual interventions
Topics Anxiety PTSD End-of-life distress
Keywords Humans Neuralgia Treatment outcome Hypnosis Palliative care Desensitization, psychologic Accidents, traffic Quality of life Adult Female Migraine disorders Brain injuries, traumatic Self-management Spirituality
Key findings In this single-patient account, self-hypnosis was reported as helpful for anxiety reduction and pain management, and hypnosis-assisted psychotherapy as beneficial for de-sensitizing post-traumatic memories and managing post-concussion pain, including neuropathic pain and post-traumatic migraine headaches. Palliative care and spiritual interventions were applied to enhance sleep, moderate cognitive deficits, and improve quality of life.

Abstract

This article presents a case study in which self-hypnosis, hypnosis-assisted psychotherapy, and palliative care strategies were provided within a multi-modal integrative treatment program for a 38-year-old woman with traumatic brain injury (TBI) secondary to motor vehicle accident. Self-hypnosis was helpful in anxiety reduction and pain management. Hypnosis-assisted psychotherapy was beneficial in de-sensitizing many post-traumatic memories, and in managing post-concussion pain, including neuropathic pain and post-traumatic migraine headaches. A variety of palliative care techniques and spiritual interventions were applied to enhance sleep, moderate cognitive deficits, and enhance quality of life.

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