Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of audio-recorded, self-administered hypnosis as an adjunct to pharmacological treatment of fibromyalgia symptoms. The study focused on the impact of hypnosis on pain intensity, on positive and negative affect, and on the mental and physical health aspects of quality of life, when used as part of the treatment for fibromyalgia. Design: A randomized controlled trial was used. Methods: 97 patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia and receiving pharmacological treatments participated and were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group. The procedure consisted of listening to the audio in the mornings for 30 days. Results: The self-administered hypnosis intervention produced a decrease in pain intensity in the experimental group; it also impacted the patients' ability to maintain baseline levels of positive affect and mental health-related quality of life, which decreased in the control group; no differences were observed in negative affect or physical health-related quality of life Implications: Hypnosis could complement the work of health professionals in the treatment of patients with fibromyalgia. Conclusions: Overall, the results indicate that self-administered and audio-recorded hypnosis sessions have an impact on mental health-related quality of life, in addition to reducing pain intensity in patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia. ©2025 Terapia Psicológica.