W.14.87C

Title: Recent insight on how neuroscientific approach helps clinicians
Presenters: Audrey Vanhaudenhuyse
Venue:
the main building of AGH University of Science and Technology - A0
A0 Akademii Górniczo-Hutniczej (al. Adama Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Kraków) 
Room 380 A / Sala 380 A
Time: 20- 30 minute presentation during 6th pararell sesion- 14.06.2024 10:30-12:00

Language: EN

Abstract:

Hypnosis is a highly subjective experience and an exciting dynamic field. It is experiential and multi-dimensional. In this presentation, I will discuss behavioral, neuroimaging and electrophysiological studies on hypnosis as a state, as well as hypnosis as a tool to modulate brain responses to painful stimulations. Studies have showed that hypnotic processes modify subjects’ self-reported internal and external awareness as well as underlined brain networks (default mode and external control, respectively). Brain mechanisms involved in the modulation of pain perception under hypnotic conditions involve cortical as well as subcortical areas including anterior cingulate and prefrontal cortices, basal ganglia and thalami. We recently showed that lower and higher electrophysiological frequencies were modified during hypnosis, specifically in the right hemisphere.

In addition to neuroimaging researches, we currently develop clinical studies and show benefits of hypnosis in chronic health problems (chronic pain and oncology). Hypnosis combined with self-care learning is associated with patients' evolution of coping strategies from passive to active, allowing them to reduce pain perception, emotional distress and fatigue, and improve their global impression of treatment effectiveness. Indeed, hypnosis is the vehicle for connecting patients to the abilities and realizations that ultimately serve to help them. In this context, hypnosis can serve as a catalyst for a deeper and richer quality of life.

Finally, we will also present a new way to disentangle highly hypnotizable from low hypnotizable subjects. This new way of measurement is useful, especially in clinical research, since it is challenging to define the level of hypnotizability of patients. Indeed, current standardized scales of hypnotizability are 45 to 90 minutes longer, and are not easily applicable in clinical practice.