Effectiveness of Hypnosis for the Prevention of Anxiety During Coronary Angiography (HYPCOR study): a prospective randomized study

Hypnosis as a non-pharmacological intervention for invasive medical procedures - A systematic review and meta-analytic update

Hypnosis is recognized as an effective non-pharmacological intervention for managing anxiety, pain, and physiological stress during invasive medical procedures. Despite its growing use, variability in techniques and inconsistent outcome measurements have challenged its clinical standardization. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of hypnosis in reducing anxiety, pain, and physiological stress during invasive procedures, while identifying the most effective techniques as well as assessing analgesic use and safety. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating hypnosis in invasive procedures. Eligible studies were assessed for bias using the Revised Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Meta-analyses were performed with a random-effects model, and subgroup analyses were conducted based on hypnosis techniques, patient characteristics, and procedure types. Twenty RCTs with 1250 patients were included. Hypnosis significantly reduced anxiety (SMD = -0.43, 95 % CI: -0.58 to -0.28, p < 0.001) and pain (SMD = -0.35, 95 % CI: -0.50 to -0.20, p < 0.001) compared to standard care. Subgroup analyses indicated that virtual reality-enhanced hypnosis and tailored interventions for high-anxiety procedures were most beneficial. Physiological stress markers, including heart rate and blood pressure, were also reduced, supporting the calming effects of hypnosis. Adverse effects were minimal. Hypnosis is effective and safe for reducing anxiety and pain during invasive medical procedures. Standardized protocols and further research are needed to optimize its clinical use and enhance adoption in routine care.

Pilot study protocol for a novel perioperative mind-body intervention for peripheral vascular interventions

Background

A novel mind-body intervention (MBI) targeting vascular surgery patients undergoing peripheral vascular interventions (PVIs) under procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) was recently developed, but has yet to be clinically tested. An exploratory randomized controlled trial is planned to test the novel intervention in patients undergoing PVIs under PSA.

Methods

Patients undergoing PVIs under PSA by vascular surgeons across four hospitals in Massachusetts and New Hampshire will be screened for enrollment. Exclusion criteria include urgent or emergent procedures, prior ipsilateral lower extremity amputations (including digit amputations) and non-English speakers. 30 patients will be enrolled and randomized 1:1 to either a perioperative MBI on the day of surgery (n = 15), or a standard of care control (n = 15). There would be no restriction on anesthesia practice, and collected data will include perioperative pain and sedation requirements and qualitative feedback from both the patients and perioperative staff.

Conclusions

This protocol delineates a pilot randomized controlled trial to test the feasibility and acceptability of a novel perioperative MBI for patients undergoing PVIs under PSA.

Adjunctive use of hypnosis for clinical pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Systematic reviews suggest that stand-alone hypnotic suggestions may improve pain outcomes compared with no treatment, waitlist, or usual care. However, in clinical practice, hypnosis is often provided adjunctively with other interventions, which might have different effects than those reported in previous reviews. This systematic review aimed to summarize the analgesic effects of adjunctive hypnosis in adults with clinical pain. Seven databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Emcare, SCOPUS, CENTRAL, Cochrane) were searched up to January 2024. Randomised controlled trials comparing the analgesic effects of adjunctive hypnosis (hypnosis + primary intervention) with those of the primary intervention alone were included. Meta-analyses (random-effects model) calculated mean differences (MD, [95% confidence intervals]) for pain intensity (0-100). Seventy studies were pooled in meta-analyses (n = 6078). Hypnosis adjunctive to usual care had a small additional analgesic effect (chronic pain: -8.2 [-11.8, -1.9]; medical procedures/surgical pain: -6.9 [-10.4, -3.3]; burn wound care: -8.8 [-13.8, -3.9]). Hypnosis adjunctive to education had a medium additional analgesic effect for chronic pain (-11.5 [-19.7, 3.3]) but not postsurgery pain (-2.0 [-7.8, 3.7]). When paired with psychological interventions, hypnosis slightly increased analgesia in chronic pain only at the three-month follow-up (-2 [-3.7, -0.3]). Hypnosis adjunctive to medicines had a medium additional analgesic effect for chronic pain (-13.2, [-22.5, -3.8]). The overall evidence certainty is very low; therefore, there is still uncertainty about the analgesic effects of adjunctive hypnosis. However, hypnosis adjunct to education may reduce pain intensity for chronic pain. Clarification of proposed therapeutic targets of adjunctive hypnosis to evaluate underlying mechanisms is warranted.

The impact of the stress hyperglycemia ratio on the risk of contrast-associated acute kidney injury in patients undergoing coronary angiography: a large real-world cohort study

BACKGROUND

Contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) is an important complication in the perioperative period of coronary angiography (CAG). Dysglycemia is closely associated with the occurrence of CA-AKI. However, the association between stress hyperglycemia and CA-AKI in patients undergoing CAG remains unclear. The study aims to investigate the association of the stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR) and CA-AKI under CAG in a large real-world cohort.

METHODS

This was a retrospective observational study, and patients undergoing CAG were enrolled. SHR is calculated by dividing the random blood glucose with the estimated average glucose derived from the glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and subjects were divided into five groups according to SHR. The outcome was CA-AKI defined as an increase in serum creatinine of ≥ 0.3 mg/dL (26.5 μmol/L) or 1.5-fold higher than normal levels in 48 h. The association was assessed with logistic regression and restricted cubic spline analysis.

RESULTS

In 19,965 participants (men: 73.3%, mean age: 63.1 ± 10.8 years) undergoing CAG, a total of 1,621 CA-AKI cases occurred. There were reverse J-shaped associations between the SHR and CA-AKI after adjustment for other confounding factors. Moreover, SHR improved the predictive effectiveness of the traditional Mehran score (AUC 0.65 vs 0.63, P < 0.001), a predictive model of CA-AKI in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

There were reverse J-shaped associations of SHR with CA-AKI risk among patients undergoing CAG, and the assessment of SHR before CAG may assist clinicians in identifying patients at higher risk of CA-AKI.

Serum N-glycomic profiling identifies candidate biomarker panels for assessing coronary artery stenosis severity

Stenosis severity may escalate over the course of coronary artery disease (CAD), increasing the risk of death for the patient. Conventionally, the assessment of stenosis degree relies on invasive coronary angiography (ICA), an invasive examination unsuitable for patients in poor physical condition or those with contrast allergies and one that imposes a psychological burden on patients. Although abnormal serum N-glycan profiles have exhibited robust associations with various cardiovascular diseases, including CAD, their potential in diagnosing CAD stenosis remains to be determined. In this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of serum N-glycome from 132 patients who underwent ICA and 27 healthy controls using MALDI-TOF-mass spectrometry. The patients who underwent ICA examination were categorized into four groups based on stenosis severity: no/mild/moderate/severe stenosis. Twenty-seven N-glycans were directly quantified, and 47 derived glycan traits were obtained. Notably, among these 74 glycan features, 18 exhibited variations across the study groups. Using a combination of least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and logistic regression analyses, we developed five diagnostic models for recognizing stenosis degree. Our results suggested that alterations in serum N-glycosylation modifications might be valuable for identifying stenosis degree and monitoring disease progression in individuals with CAD. It is expected to offer a noninvasive alternative for those who could not undergo ICA because of various reasons. However, the diagnostic potential of serum N-glycan panels as biomarkers requires multicenter, large cohort validation in the future.

Designing a Perioperative Mind-Body Intervention for Peripheral Vascular Interventions

Background

Peripheral vascular interventions (PVIs) performed under procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) can be associated with anxiety and poor compliance with patient instructions during surgery. Mind-body interventions (MBIs) such as meditation have demonstrated the potential to decrease perioperative anxiety, though this area is understudied, and no tailored interventions have been developed for the vascular surgical patient population.

Objectives

We aimed to design a perioperative MBI that specifically targeted vascular surgical patients undergoing PVIs under PSA. We sought to perform this in a scientifically rigorous, multi-disciplinary collaborative manner.

Methods

Following the Obesity-Related Behavioral Intervention Trials (ORBIT) model, we designed (Phase 1a) and then refined (Phase 1b) a MBI for patients undergoing PVIs under PSA to decrease perioperative anxiety and sedation and facilitate patient intraoperative compliance. Phase 1a involved a literature review, informal information gathering and synthesis, and drafting a preliminary protocol for a perioperative MBI. Phase 1b involved assembling a multi-disciplinary expert panel of perioperative and mind-body clinicians and researchers to improve the MBI using an iterative, modified Delphi approach.

Results

The modified Delphi process was completed, and a consensus was reached after three iterations. The resulting MBI consisted of two seven-minute preoperative guided meditations on the day of surgery, including diaphragmatic breathing, body scans, and guided imagery emphasizing awareness of the ipsilateral leg where the vascular surgery was performed. A document delineating the integration of the MBI into the operating room workflow was produced, including details regarding the intervention's timing, duration, and modality.

Conclusion

Using a multi-specialty expert panel, we designed a novel MBI in the form of a guided meditation with elements of mindfulness and guided imagery to decrease anxiety and increase intraoperative compliance for patients undergoing PVIs under PSA. A prospective pilot study is being planned to test the program's feasibility.