Hypnotherapy in a Case of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

A 10-year-old girl in whom a diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis was made by a rheumatologist responded minimally to large doses of salicylates and physical therapy over seven weeks. Three sessions of hypnotherapy were given. Despite resistance to the first session, questionable improvement ensued. At the time of the second session, one month after the first, the patient still had to be carried frequently by her mother. Four hours after the second session, she rode her bicycle, and was without pain, for the first time in 12 weeks. Two reinforcing hypnotherapy sessions were added. School work and social adjustment improved markedly. The child has remained well for the ensuing 31 months. Hypnotherapy appears to have initiated an attitudinal change, at a level sufficiently deep to accelerate remission.