Hypnosis and Emergency Medicine
Introduction
Hypnosis is a structured psychological technique that uses focused attention and suggestion to alter perception, expectation and emotional response. In the emergency department (ED) it can be a pragmatic, brief adjunct to usual care for reducing anxiety, improving cooperation with procedures and as an adjunct to analgesia.
UK guidance recognises hypnotherapy as a legitimate psychological intervention in selected contexts (for example, refractory irritable bowel syndrome - NICE CG61) but does not replace established pharmacological sedation or monitored anaesthesia care.
When used in ED practice, hypnosis should be applied with appropriate patient selection, documented consent, local governance and training (see NICE CG61; NICE NG116). Apply the procedural consent/monitoring principles from NICE CG112 when hypnosis is used around procedures or in combination with sedative drugs.
Evidence and scope
- The NHS guideline programme recognises hypnotherapy among psychological interventions for some chronic conditions (NICE CG61) and has reviewed the broader evidence base (NICE NG116). The overall evidence for ED‑focused, procedural or acute analgesic uses is limited and heterogeneous.
- Practical implication: consider hypnosis as a non‑pharmacological adjunct that may reduce anxiety and sometimes reduce drug requirements or facilitate procedures in selected patients, but do not use it as a routine substitute for indicated drug sedation or airway‑monitoring standards.
How hypnosis works
Hypnosis narrows attention and increases responsiveness to suggestion, changing...
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