Hypnotic relaxation therapy for treatment of hot flashes following prostate cancer surgery: a case study.

Abstract

This case study reports on a 69-year-old African American male who presented with hot flashes following a diagnosis of prostate cancer and subsequent prostatectomy. Measures include both self-reported and physiologically measured hot flash frequency and sleep quality. The intervention involved 7 weekly sessions of hypnotic relaxation therapy directed toward alleviation of hot flashes. Posttreatment self-reported hot flashes decreased 94%; physiologically measured hot flashes decreased 100%; and sleep quality improved 87.5%. At week 12, both self-reported and physiologically measured hot flashes decreased 95% and sleep quality improved 37.5% over baseline, suggesting hypnotic relaxation therapy may be an effective intervention for men with hot flashes following treatment for prostate cancer.

• Authors: Gary R Elkins, Cassie Kendrick, Lauren Koep
• Journal: The International journal of clinical and experimental hypnosis (Int J Clin Exp Hypn) Vol. 62 Issue 3 Pg. 251-9 ( 2014) ISSN: 1744-5183 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 24837059 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)

Topics

• Aged
• Follow-Up Studies
• Hot Flashes (psychology, therapy)
• Humans
• Hypnosis (methods)
• Male
• Postoperative Complications (psychology, therapy)
• Prostatectomy
• Prostatic Neoplasms (surgery)
• Relaxation Therapy (methods)
• Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders (psychology, therapy)
• Treatment Outcome