Non-pharmacological sedation techniques: The role of hypnosis, virtual reality, and other strategies

Abstract

Non-pharmacological sedation techniques are increasingly recognised as valuable adjuncts in modern perioperative care. This narrative review explores the clinical applications of hypnosis, virtual reality, music therapy, aromatherapy, and mindfulness-based interventions in various settings, including regional anaesthesia, paediatrics, obstetrics, and ambulatory surgery. These strategies aim to reduce perioperative anxiety, enhance patient comfort, and lower reliance on pharmacological sedatives. Hypnosis and virtual reality are supported by growing evidence from randomised trials, while simpler interventions such as music and aromatherapy are easily implementable with minimal training. Mindfulness and breathing exercises show promise but remain underexplored in anaesthesia-specific settings. Successful implementation requires selecting appropriate patients, developing effective protocols, and providing staff education. These techniques are most effective when used as part of a multimodal approach to sedation. Further research is needed to assess long-term outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and standardisation across institutions. Non-pharmacological sedation offers a patient-centred, low-risk contribution to safe and personalised anaesthesia care. Their use during procedural sedation, either as standalone strategies or in combination with pharmacological agents, is increasingly recognised across a range of interventional and diagnostic settings.