A lecture from the Health Psychology Unit
PhD Arnoldo Téllez López, Chief of the Health Psychology Unit, PhD Teresa Sánchez Jauregui, M.Sc. Leticia Jaime Bernal, and M.Sc. Diana Carolina Morenos Hernández, researchers of the unit presented on the lecture their research work titled “The use of hypnosis on oncology”.
The Unit Chief presented the topic “The effects of clinic hypnosis on women with breast cancer during chemotherapy”. He mentioned that there are 4 emotionally hard stages: diagnosis, surgery, chemo/radiotherapy, and a fear of cancer relapse.
He pointed out that hypnosis is a special state of consciousness that implies a focused attention and reduced peripheral consciousness, characterized by an increased capacity to respond to suggestions. Hypnotherapy is used on hypnosis to treat medical and psychological problems.
Techniques used in group hypnosis help to achieve physical and mental relaxation, to strengthen self-esteem, and to resolve traumatic events. It also helps physical healing and the strengthening of the immune system, as well as to establish goals and an increased optimism.
PhD Teresa Sánchez presented the topic of the effects of hypnosis and music on breast biopsy. She highlighted that intervention with music is more effective that the variable she studied, that of pain.
M.Sc. Leticia Jaime Bernal spoke on the effect of hypnotherapy and sleep quality on patients with breast cancer. She analyzed collateral symptoms of cancer like sleep problems, which are important physiological factors. Among the symptoms we can mention problems to fall asleep, interrupted sleep, poor sleep quality, not enough sleep, and insomnia. 70% of patients with breast cancer manifest these difficulties. On said investigation, results were favorable to the 12 hypnosis sessions.
M.Sc. Diana Carolina Morenos spoke about the effects of hypnotherapy on pain and body image on patients with breast cancer scheduled for mastectomy. The hypnosis groups reported less interference with their activities because of pain. Regarding body image, there was a substantial difference among the control groups and the hypnosis group, putting the latter with a major percentage.
The Health Psychology Unit provide services to the general public like polysomnography evaluation and sleep problem diagnosis, evaluation and intervention on psychological problems associated with cancer diagnose and treatment, as well as support groups that help breast cancer survivors.