Evaluation of Hypnosis Practice During a Semi-invasive and Painful Medical Examination in Neurology: the Electromyogram

Electromyogram is frequently use in neurological practices for neuropathies detection or others peripheral nervous system affection. There is two parts during this examination. The first is called sensory and motor nervous conduction study. It consists to apply cutaneous electrodes wich send electric current on arms and legs. The second is the detection with use needles in several muscles of the four limbs with muscle contraction. So, electromyogram is long (sometimes up to one hour) and painful assessment.

Hypnosis is an old not invasive easy practice using in some medical conditions like fibroscopy, anesthesia, surgery. The mechanisms are unclear but this is an effective practice particularly in pain management. Hypnosis in neurological examinations remains unusual. Only two studies report use of hypnosis during electromyogram. The first in 2009 is a randomised suty. On 26 patients, they study hypnosis impact on anxiety and pain. The conclusion is significant efficacity of hypnosis on pain during electromyogram with pain decrease of 31% compared with control group. The second is a French study with only poster. There was no significant difference between hypnosis group and control group during electromyogram for pain. But, there was significant difference for anxiety item. These two studies shown opposite results.

In this study, the sponsor propose to evaluate hypnosis during electromyogram. The main criteria is quantitative pain evaluation. A neurologist doctor will do electromyogram and specialized nurse will do hypnosis. This is a prospective open, quasi-randomised study with two groups of patients. One with hypnosis realised by expert practitioner during electromyogram realisation. One group without hypnosis. The investigator will note pain during examination with standardised quantitative (primary outcome) and qualitative (secondary outcome) evaluation. The investigator will use visual Analog Scale and Saint-Antoine Pain Questionary (QDSA) but also Beck Anxiety Inventory for psychological effect. The duration of study is one year in single centre. The Pau Hospital hope validate this practice of hypnosis in this indication and extend it to other hospital centers for improve the quality of patient care.

Inclusion criteria

• adult patient
• patient who must perform an electromyogram
• patient who have given their free and informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Patient known to be not receptive to hypnosis
• Patient having a contraindication to hypnosis (Psychotic disorders, paranoid personality)
• Patient having cognitive disorders or comprehension problems