{
  "abstract": "Background People with life-limiting illnesses often experience symptoms – e.g. pain, anxiety, fatigue, nausea, poor appetite – that aren’t fully relieved by medical treatment. Studies suggest that clinical hypnotherapy might help to manage these symptoms and improve patient quality of life (Vayne-Bossert, Hardy. Palliat Care Soc Pract. 2025 Feb 25;19:26323524251321852; Brugnoli, Pesce, Pasin, et al. Ann Palliat Med. 2018;7(1):17-31), but its use remains limited and under-explored.Aim To identify which symptoms experienced by those with life-limiting illness can be most effectively treated by clinical hypnotherapy in order to identify where it can best be integrated into palliative care practice.Methods This project is being developed by the clinical hypnotherapist at St Vincent’s Hospice in consultation with its specialist doctors, consultants and nurses. In consultation with the team, key symptoms will be identified to target during the project. A review of previous clinical hypnotherapy clients of the hospice will also inform selection. Suitable patients will be identified for participation in the project, each of whom will then undergo structured intake and symptom scoring using recognised clinical tools. At intake, a suitable number of hypnotherapy sessions will be assessed for the patient, after which follow-up scoring will be completed in order to assess impact of the treatment.Results Since the project is in its early stages, full results are not yet available. However, a review of our previous clinical hypnotherapy work has shown encouraging results in managing symptoms such as nausea, specific chronic pain, reduced appetite, altered taste perception, anxiety, and insomnia. These results will shape the selection stage of the project.Conclusion Early experience at St. Vincent’s Hospice suggests that clinical hypnotherapy has some promise as a supportive intervention in palliative care. This project aims to evaluate its impact systematically and to help inform wider application in palliative settings.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "St Vincent’s Hospice, Howwood, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Maitrisattva Burns"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "St Vincent’s Hospice, Howwood, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Ashley Agnew"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P-40 Exploring the potential of clinical hypnotherapy in symptom management for people with life-limiting illnesses",
  "uid": "ee769efb-ff60-5735-9ec8-bce226b7967e"
}