Hypnosis Help for Arthritics ; Patients Can Volunteer for Trials
Posted on: Tuesday, 18 October 2005, 09:00 CDT
By DAVID GREENWOOD
NORTH Wales researchers hope hypnosis techniques used to help smokers quit may improve life for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers.
Experts at Bangor university's school of sport, heath and exercise sciences want people plagued with the crippling condition to sign up for trials.
But Bryan Bennett, 34, the doctorate student involved in the research, yesterday insisted he was no Paul Mackenna.
And he stressed anybody taking part would be fully aware of what was going on.
"There will be none of that 'look into my eyes' business which you see in the Little Britain series," he said.
"We just want to see how effective hypnosis can be in managing what is a very painful condition.
"Hypnosis or hypnotherapy in health care is usually associated with habit related applications such as getting people to stop smoking. "But there is growing evidence and interest in its application for the management of certain conditions.
"Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease of the immune system and I am interested in using psychotherapy techniques such as hypnotherapy to boost the system."
The Bangor student said imaging, when sufferers focus on positive images, is another crucial part of the experiment.
"Suffers themselves will identify the areas of their lives most affected by their condition or those which are important to them, whether it be an inability to perform particular tasks or follow a specific hobby or interest.
"These will then be the focus for a course of individual hypnotherapy and imaging sessions.
"This is different from the normal approach, where a clinician will identify the areas of difficulty or inability that affect a sufferer's quality of life."
Consultant rheumatologist and senior clinical lecturer Dr Jeremy Jones said: "There is a growing medical interest in the use of psychological interventions for musculoskeletal conditions.
"Bryan's research could help us learn more about the value of such treatments in managing the pain, fatigue and stiffness experienced with rheumatoid arthritis, leading to an increase in quality of life."
Recruits must be stabilised on their current treatment for at least three months. A university spokeswoman said: "They can take part either by visiting the university or through visits to their own homes.
"The trial involves six one-hour sessions over six weeks and then a onehour session every two months for six months."
Anyone interested in participating should contact Bryan Bennett on 01248388147 or e-mail bryan.bennett@bangor.ac.uk
Source: Daily Post; Liverpool
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