Virtual reality hypnosis: A case report

American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, Jul 2004 by Hammond, D Corydon

Patterson, D. R., Tininenko, J. R., Schmidt, A. E., & Sharar, S. R. (2004). Virtual reality hypnosis: A case report. International Journal of Clinical & Experimental Hypnosis, 52(1), 27-38. A preliminary case report on using hypnosis that was induced through a three-dimensional, computer-generated, immersive virtual reality (VR) world as a method for controlling pain and anxiety in a patient with a severe burn.

After having uncontrollable pain and anxiety, on Day 40 of hospitalization, the patient was hypnotized while immersed in a virtual reality world, and given posthypnotic suggestions for decreased anxiety and pain when wounds were changed. The pain and anxiety dropped 40% after VR hypnosis, and the pain dropped similarly on Day 42 with an audio-only version of the intervention, but returned to baseline without the intervention on Day 43. A limitation is that there was no evidence for the VR being superior to audiotaped suggestions, but the patient expressed a strong preference for the VR environment over the audiotape. Address for reprints: David R. Patterson, Ph.D., Dept. of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, P.O. Box 359740, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. E-mail: davepatt@u.washington.edu.