| Methods |
Parallel single‐blind, randomised control of hypnosis versus standard care. The allocations used the last digit of the hospital history number: odd numbers ‐ women allocated to experimental group, even numbers to control. Allocation concealment was carried out by concealing the patient number until criteria for entry had been fulfilled and a decision had been made to enter the woman to the study. Women were not blind and the outcome assessor was blinded. No other details were stated on blinding of study personnel. |
| Participants |
40 women randomised from the labour ward of a University obstetric hospital. Women were in early spontaneous labour with cervical dilatation no greater than 4 cm. No additional exclusion criteria stated. |
| Interventions |
For women receiving hypnosis a standard script was used during labour on a one‐to‐one basis. This included relaxation, focused attention, self‐hypnosis prompts and glove/abdominal anaesthesia. The control group received standard care. |
| Outcomes |
Use of pain relief, postpartum depression and participant's assessment of the treatment procedures. |
| Notes |
No women withdrew from the study and follow up was complete. No power analysis was reported. An intention‐to‐treat analysis was performed. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
High risk |
C ‐ Inadequate |
