Hypnosis helped with procedure pain, not chronic pain, in a new review
A 2025 meta-analysis split the evidence in two, and the halves disagree.
What the review looked at
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh pooled randomized trials from 2014 to 2024 that compared medical hypnosis with standard care. They analyzed acute pain and chronic pain separately.[1]
- Acute pain: six trials, 888 patients. Settings ranged from placing an IV line to heart procedures, biopsies and surgery.
- Chronic pain: six trials, 595 patients, covering joint pain, low back pain, cancer-related pain and general chronic pain. Comparison groups got standard care or pain education.
Effect of hypnosis on pain compared with standard care
Pooled effect sizes (standardized). Positive values favor hypnosis; 0 means no difference.
View the data table
| Group / comparison | Value (SD) | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Acute pain (6 trials) | 0.54 | 0.19 to 0.9 |
| Chronic pain (6 trials) | 0.07 | -0.14 to 0.27 |
Acute pain: a medium effect
Around procedures, hypnosis lowered pain by 0.54 standard deviations compared with standard care, which is a medium effect. Three of the six trials also recorded opioid use, and patients who got hypnosis used less.[1]
Pre-recorded audio and live sessions both helped. The two audio trials pooled to an effect of 0.46 and the four live trials to 0.56. That matters because recordings are far easier to offer in a busy hospital.[1]
Chronic pain: no clear effect
For chronic pain, the pooled effect was 0.07, close to zero and not statistically significant. The authors conclude that hypnosis did not reduce chronic pain in these trials.[1]
That is not the last word. A 2024 review that looked specifically at hypnosis added to pain education did find a benefit, while adding it to psychological therapy did not.[2] Different reviews pick different trials and comparison groups, which is why their answers differ. We cover that in our skeptic’s take on hypnosis for chronic pain.
What this means for you
- Facing surgery or a painful procedure? Ask whether the hospital offers hypnosis or a recorded session. It is low-risk and may reduce pain and the need for opioids. It is an addition to anesthesia and pain medicine, not a replacement.
- Living with chronic pain? Hypnosis may still help some people, but this review is a reason to keep expectations modest and keep it inside a broader pain-care plan.
- Never change prescribed pain medication because of a recording. Talk to your clinician first.
Hypnova was not part of any trial in this review. These results describe the hypnosis programs that were tested.
Sources and further reading
- Yerzhan et al. — The Use of Medical Hypnosis to Prevent and Treat Acute and Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Journal of Clinical Medicine, July 2025. DOI: 10.3390/jcm14134661. Randomized trials published January 2014 to December 2024, found through PubMed. Figures come from the full text.
- Adjunctive use of hypnosis for clinical pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Pain Reports, 2024. A separate review of hypnosis added to other treatments, discussed in our chronic pain article.
Evidence checked September 25, 2026. This is an editorial research summary by the Hypnova team, not a systematic review or a clinical assessment. Cited studies evaluate their own interventions; they do not establish that Hypnova produces the same outcomes. This article is educational and does not replace individualized care.
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