Social work administered hypnosis for patients undergoing bone marrow procedures: A randomized controlled trial

This dissertation examines how a social work intervention of brief hypnosis during bone marrow procedures impacts pain and anxiety for adult patients. The study design was a randomized controlled trial with one intervention group and one control group (standard of care). Standard of care (lidocaine injection) was provided to both groups. Adult participants were eligible for participation in this study if they were over eighteen years of age, English speaking, and undergoing bone marrow biopsy and/or aspiration. Study hypotheses predicted that those patients who were randomized to the hypnosis intervention would have significantly lower levels of pain and anxiety. A sample of patients at Mount Sinai Medical Center (n = 80) provided data, which included demographic information. There were 41 patients in the intervention group and 39 in the control group. Results supported the study hypothesis that pain scores would be significantly lower among the experimental group; however, results did not support the hypothesis that hypnosis reduced anxiety associated with the procedure. Pain and anxiety were not significantly associated to demographic variables, such as, gender, ethnicity and age. Participants could not be blinded to the intervention, since the social worker was present during the procedure if the patient received hypnosis. However, the social worker administering the post procedure scales was blinded to what group the patient was randomized to. There were no adverse events or side effects as a result of participation in this study. The unusual role of the social worker as the direct provider and the researcher will be discussed as well as the implications for practice.