A meta-analytical review of studies using hypnosis with surgical patients conducted at the Derald H. Ruttenberg Cancer Center, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, indicated that patients in hypnosis treatment groups had better clinical outcomes than 89% of patients in control groups. These data strongly support the use of hypnosis with surgical patients. Specifically, research conducted by the Department of Oncological Sciences, Mount Sinai School of Medicine indicated that patients receiving preoperative hypnosis had significantly less anxiety. Moreover, on entrance to the operating rooms, the hypnosis group reported a significant decrease of 56% in their anxiety level whereas the attention-control group reported an increase of 10% in anxiety and the control group reported an increase of 47% in their anxiety. Research conducted at the Aultman Heart Center also indicated that patients who received hypnosis were significantly less likely to experience an episode of postoperative atrial fibrillation PAF.

• Wobst, A. H. K. Hypnosis and surgery: Past present, and future. Anasthesia and Alalgesia. 2007; 104(5): 1199-1208. University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA.
• Novoa, R. & Hammonds, T. Clinical hypnosis for reduction of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Cleve Clin J Med. 2008; 2:S44-47. Aultman Heart Center, Aultman Health Foundation, Canton, OH, USA.
• Schnur, J. B., Bovbjerg, D. H., David, D., et al. Hypnosis decreases presurgical distress in excisional breast biopsy patients. Anesth Analg. 2008; 106(2):440-4. Department of Oncological Sciences, Box 1130, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, NY, USA.
• Saadat, H., Drummond-Lewis, J., Maranets, I., et al. Hypnosis reduces preoperative anxiety in adult patients. Anesth Analg. 2006; 102(5):1394-6. Center for the Advancement of Perioperative Health, Department of Anesthesiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
• Montgomery, G. H., David, D., Winkel, G., et al. The effectiveness of adjunctive hypnosis with surgical patients: A meta-analysis. Anesth Analg. 2002; 94(6):1639-45. Biobehavioral Medicine Program, Cancer Prevention and Control, Derald H. Ruttenberg Cancer Center, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, NY.