Hypnotic Cognitive Therapy for Chronic Pain

(HYPCT Trial)

Overseen By Study Coordinators

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Washington

Disqualifiers: Severe cognitive impairment, mental health, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 10

Duration: 4 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores new ways to manage pain for people with recent spinal cord injuries (SCI). It compares two approaches: Hypnosis Enhanced Cognitive Therapy, which uses guided relaxation and mental techniques, and Pain Education, which provides information about managing pain. The researchers aim to determine which method better reduces pain immediately after injury and in the following months. Eligible participants include those with a recent SCI experiencing moderate pain and currently receiving care at Harborview Medical Center. Participants will engage in four sessions of either therapy or education and complete surveys and pain assessments. As an unphased trial, this study allows participants to contribute to innovative pain management strategies for SCI.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on non-medication therapies for pain management.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that Hypnosis Enhanced Cognitive Therapy (HYPCT) can safely reduce pain. One study demonstrated that this treatment lowered pain levels, with effects lasting up to a year. Early research also indicates that combining self-hypnosis with cognitive therapy effectively eases pain from spinal cord injuries.

Initial findings suggest that HYPCT provides quick pain relief for people with spinal cord injuries. This method combines hypnosis with cognitive therapy to manage pain and improve quality of life. Overall, these results support the safety and potential benefits of using HYPCT for managing chronic pain. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Hypnosis Enhanced Cognitive Therapy is unique because it combines traditional cognitive therapy with hypnosis techniques to target chronic pain. Unlike standard treatments like medications or physical therapy, this method uses the power of the mind to alter pain perception and enhance relaxation. Researchers are excited because this approach could offer a non-drug alternative that leverages mental processes to provide relief, potentially reducing reliance on pain medications and their side effects.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for chronic spinal cord injury pain?

Research has shown that Hypnosis Enhanced Cognitive Therapy (HYPCT), which participants in this trial may receive, can help reduce pain for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI). One study found that this therapy significantly lowered pain during hospital rehabilitation. Another study demonstrated that combining self-hypnosis with cognitive therapy reduced long-term SCI-related pain. Additionally, treatments like HYPCT have shown moderate to large improvements in pain levels, lasting up to a year after treatment. These findings suggest that HYPCT may effectively manage pain for those with SCI. Another arm of this trial will receive pain education, involving sessions and materials to help manage pain. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Amy J Starosta, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Washington

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI) who are experiencing moderately intense pain and can read and speak English. They must be currently admitted to inpatient rehabilitation at Harborview Medical Center. People with severe cognitive issues, significant mental health conditions, or recent suicidal behaviors cannot participate.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with a spinal cord injury.

I experience moderate pain.

I am currently a patient at Harborview Medical Center.

Exclusion Criteria

You have or had mental health problems that need more than regular treatment or could make taking the study drug difficult.

You have tried to harm yourself in the last 6 months.

I am unable to understand and agree to the study's details on my own.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either Hypnotic Cognitive Therapy or Pain Education during inpatient rehabilitation

4 weeks

4 sessions (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

7 months

Surveys at 6 and 7 months post-treatment

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Hypnosis Enhanced Cognitive Therapy

Trial Overview The study compares Hypnosis Enhanced Cognitive Therapy (HYPCT) with Pain Education (ED) to see which is better at reducing acute and chronic pain in SCI patients during inpatient rehab. Participants will complete surveys and pain assessments before and after four sessions of either HYPCT or ED.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Hypnosis Enhanced Cognitive Therapy Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This arm will receive 4 sessions of hypnosis enhanced cognitive therapy for pain. Subjects will receive recordings of sessions for practice between therapist sessions.

Group II: Pain Education Active Control 1 Intervention

This arm will receive 4 sessions of spinal cord injury pain education. Subjects will receive pain education materials for review between therapist sessions.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Washington

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,858

Recruited

2,023,000+

The Craig H. Neilsen Foundation

Collaborator

Trials

62

Recruited

3,100+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Hypnosis can be a useful tool for managing chronic pain, but its effectiveness can vary based on individual factors such as secondary gain and depression, as illustrated by two case studies, one of which was unsuccessful.

Different hypnotic strategies, including dissociation and imagery, can be tailored to the patient's specific needs, emphasizing the importance of self-hypnosis for developing mastery and control over pain.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hypnosis and chronic pain. Two contrasting case studies. Evans, FJ.[2019]

Cognitive hypnotherapy has been shown to be an effective intervention for managing various types of chronic pain, including conditions like fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis, based on evidence from randomized controlled trials.

The review highlights the growing support for hypnosis and cognitive-behavioral techniques in pain management, suggesting they could be valuable tools in clinical practice for treating patients with chronic pain conditions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cognitive hypnotherapy for pain management. Elkins, G., Johnson, A., Fisher, W.[2018]

Hypnotic treatment for chronic pain has been shown to significantly reduce pain more effectively than no treatment and some non-hypnotic interventions like medication management and physical therapy, based on controlled trials.

However, the effectiveness of self-hypnosis is similar to other relaxation techniques, and there is a lack of studies comparing hypnosis to credible placebo treatments, making it unclear if the benefits are due to hypnosis itself or patient expectations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hypnotic treatment of chronic pain. Jensen, M., Patterson, DR.[2022]

An 8-week group hypnosis treatment for 85 adults with chronic pain led to significant reductions in pain intensity and interference, with improvements maintained for up to 6 months after treatment.

The study suggests that group hypnosis can effectively teach individuals skills for managing chronic pain, indicating a promising alternative to individual hypnosis, though further research with larger trials is needed.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Delivery of a Group Hypnosis Protocol for Managing Chronic Pain in Outpatient Integrative Medicine. McKernan, LC., Finn, MTM., Crofford, LJ., et al.[2023]

Citations

1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37364685/

Feasibility of Brief, Hypnotic Enhanced Cognitive Therapy ... The study is the first to show a psychological-based nonpharmacologic intervention that may reduce SCI pain during inpatient rehabilitation.

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03857672

The Efficacy of Hypnotic Cognitive Therapy for Chronic ... Pilot research suggests that training in the combination of self-hypnosis and cognitive therapy (HCT) can reduce chronic SCI-related pain. Thus far, people have ...

3. archives-pmr.org archives-pmr.org/article/S0003-9993(23)00361-1/fulltext

Feasibility of Brief, Hypnotic Enhanced Cognitive Therapy ... The study is the first to show a psychological-based nonpharmacologic intervention that may reduce SCI pain during inpatient rehabilitation.

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003999323003611

Feasibility of Brief, Hypnotic Enhanced Cognitive Therapy ... The study is the first to show a psychological-based nonpharmacologic intervention that may reduce SCI pain during inpatient rehabilitation.

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7508809/

Effects of hypnosis, cognitive therapy, hypnotic ... All four treatments were associated with medium to large effect size improvements in pain intensity that maintained up to 12 months post-treatment.

6. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/hypnotic-cognitive-therapy-for-chronic-pain-18709

Hypnotic Cognitive Therapy for Chronic Pain (HYPCT Trial) Hypnosis Enhanced Cognitive Therapy is unique because it combines hypnosis with cognitive therapy to manage chronic pain, potentially offering benefits beyond ...

7. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/13/4539

A Case Study of Hypnosis Enhanced Cognitive Therapy for ... Our results support the potential for early, hypnotic cognitive therapy for individuals with SCI experiencing pain or distress while dependent ...