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Practitioner Review: Clinical applications of pediatric hypnosis
Author(s) -
Gold Jeffrey I.,
Kant Alexis J.,
Belmont Katharine A.,
Butler Lisa D.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of child psychology and psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.652
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1469-7610
pISSN - 0021-9630
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2007.01759.x
Subject(s) - hypnosis , psychology , pediatric psychology , enuresis , medline , clinical psychology , psychotherapist , medicine , psychiatry , alternative medicine , pathology , political science , law
Background: Over the past quarter century, hypnosis has been employed in a broad range of pediatric clinical settings; however, its efficacy and feasibility as a treatment approach for children and adolescents remain in question. Method: Published studies on the role of clinical hypnosis in the management of specific pediatric medical and psychological conditions were identified and reviewed. Results: Pediatric clinical hypnosis has been employed in diverse medical settings to treat primary conditions (e.g., enuresis), as well as to address factors related to management of the condition (e.g., skills training for asthma) or its treatment (e.g., burn dressing changes). Despite great breadth to the possible applications of pediatric hypnosis and many reported successes, much of the present research comprises case histories and small, uncontrolled group studies. Conclusion: To date, research in pediatrics views clinical hypnosis as a promising tool with the potential to help manage a variety of conditions. However, additional research, particularly utilizing randomized, controlled methodologies and adequate sample sizes, is required.