Hypnotic General Anesthesia vs. Hypnotic Focused Analgesia in Preventing Pain and its Reflex Cardiovascular Effects

Hypnotic focused analgesia (HFA) induces local anesthesia. The possibility to induce hypnotic general anesthesia (HGA) has never been investigated. An experimental study was conducted with 10 highly-hypnotizable young volunteers to compare the effects of HFA and those, if any, of HGA on pain perception and its reflex consequences. Pain tolerance was measured through the mA of current necessary to induce maximum tolerable pain, and sympathetic discharge through the response of peripheral resistance (PR). All experienced pain reduction at the maximum ESMN during HFA (-75%, p<0.0001) and HGA (-87%, p<0.0001) in comparison to prehypnosis; 4 during HFA and 7 during HGA reported complete analgesia. The pain tolerance increased by 68% and by 101% (p=0.034), respectively. In prehypnosis, a 65.8% increase of the forearm PR was observed during maximum tolerable pain. Lower variations of PR were observed during HFA and no variations during HGA. HGA therefore exists and prevents pain perception and its consequences.