Hypnosis Before and During Surgery: 34 Randomised Trials
Oct 22, 2026The original paper
Tefikow S, Barth J, Maichrowitz S, Beelmann A, Strauss B, Rosendahl J. Efficacy of hypnosis in adults undergoing surgery or medical procedures: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clinical Psychology Review, 2013.
Read the original paper on PubMed →
Summary
This meta-analysis combined 34 randomised controlled trials with 2,597 adults having surgery or medical procedures.
Patients who received hypnosis did better than controls on emotional distress, pain, medication use, physical measures and recovery.
Key finding
A moderate reduction in distress across 2,597 surgical patients — plus less pain and less medication.
Why this matters
When the nervous system feels safe, the body copes and recovers better. Hypnosis is one of the most direct ways to send that signal of safety.
Research is summarised in plain language for a general audience. Hypnotherapy and energy healing are complementary approaches and are not a substitute for medical or psychiatric care.