A recent study has shown that hypnosis can help in reducing hot flashes among breast cancer survivors. Hot flashes are a significant problem for many breast cancer survivors. This study was done by Dr. Gary Elkins of Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and his team.

Dr. Gary Elkins said that many women must take estrogen-blocking drugs like tamoxifen for years after breast cancer treatment, but "hot flashes can be so severe that some women make a decision to not continue those medications." The importance of this study lies in the fact that it has showed a successful therapy for hot flashes among breast cancer survivors because the current best treatment for hot flashes, estrogen therapy can’t be used successfully for most of these women.  

In this study, researchers randomly divided 60 breast cancer survivors into two groups-hypnosis group and control group. Researchers analyzed the data collected from 51 women who completed the study. Out of 51 study subjects, 26 study subjects received hypnotic relaxation therapy and 25 study subjects who did not receive treatment. 

The study subjects were given 50 minutes’ hypnosis sessions. During these sessions patient wee helped to reach a deeply relaxed state. Then they were given suggestions for mental imagery to help them relax and feel cool like imagining a walk on a cool mountain path. These women were also given instructions about the ways to practice hypnosis on their own. 

Analysis of data showed that the women in hypnosis group had 68 percent decrease in hot flashes along with significant decrease in anxiety, depression and insomnia. It means that women in the hypnosis group had 4.39 fewer hot flashes a day as compared to the control group. 

Dr. Gary Elkins said: “This study validates that this type of treatment is effective in decreasing hot flashes.”

Researchers concluded that hypnosis treatment can reduce stress by helping women to relax. It may also give them a sense of control that allows them to keep their body temperature more stable. Researchers added that further research on large scale will be conducted.