Self-Hypnosis for Chronic Pain

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By David Ogez

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Ciusss de L'Est de l'Île de Montréal

Disqualifiers: Deafness, Severe cognitive impairment, Psychiatric instability

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 9

60 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how self-hypnosis might help manage chronic pain. Participants will practice self-hypnosis to determine if it reduces pain over time and improves overall quality of life. Another group will receive psycho-education and cognitive behavioral therapy (a type of talk therapy) for comparison. The trial seeks individuals who have experienced chronic pain for at least three months, speak French, and have internet access for online sessions. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore innovative pain management techniques.

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 might be best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that self-hypnosis is safe for chronic pain management?

Research has shown that self-hypnosis is generally safe for individuals with chronic pain. Studies have found that hypnosis effectively manages pain without harmful side effects. For instance, patients using hypnosis reported significantly less pain and anxiety, with benefits observed both shortly after treatment and up to a year later.

Reviews of multiple studies also indicate that hypnosis improves pain outcomes more effectively than no treatment or standard care. Notably, these studies have reported no negative effects from self-hypnosis, suggesting it is well-tolerated. Participants experienced less pain and an improved quality of life, making self-hypnosis a promising and safe option for managing chronic pain. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Most treatments for chronic pain rely on medications like opioids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which target pain through chemical pathways. However, self-hypnosis offers a unique, non-pharmacological approach by using the power of the mind to manage pain perception. Researchers are excited because self-hypnosis empowers patients to actively participate in their pain management, potentially reducing reliance on medications and minimizing side effects. Additionally, it may provide a long-term solution by teaching patients skills that can be used anytime, anywhere, without the need for medical assistance or prescriptions.

What evidence suggests that self-hypnosis could be an effective treatment for chronic pain?

Research has shown that self-hypnosis, a treatment under study in this trial, can significantly reduce long-term pain. For example, a review of 14 studies found that hypnosis helped people manage pain from chronic conditions. Another study found that practicing self-hypnosis reduced both pain and anxiety in patients. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) recognizes hypnosis as a useful treatment for chronic pain. Overall, these findings suggest that self-hypnosis could be a promising method for managing chronic pain. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for pain clinic patients dealing with chronic pain. It's designed to see if self-hypnosis can help manage their pain over time, looking at immediate effects and up to 6 months later. Participants should be interested in learning self-hypnosis and CBT techniques.

Inclusion Criteria

Have received one of the above diagnoses, confirmed by medical record review or physician confirmation

Participants must have participated in the past year in the self-hypnosis training program and agree to take part in the research interviews

Be able to read, speak, and understand French

Exclusion Criteria

Have current or recent psychiatric instability (e.g., active suicidal ideation, active delusional or psychotic thoughts) that could interfere with participation, as assessed by a clinical psychologist

I have hearing loss or severe cognitive issues affecting my communication.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants undergo self-hypnosis training with exercises focused on stress and pain management

2 months

Weekly self-administered practice

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in pain, anxiety, and quality of life

3 months

Self-administered questionnaires at 3 months

Extended Follow-up

Further monitoring of participants for changes in pain, anxiety, and quality of life

3 months

Self-administered questionnaires at 6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Self-hypnosis

Trial Overview

The study tests whether self-hypnosis training can reduce daily pain levels immediately and after 3-6 months. It also examines the impact on how pain affects daily life, mood (anxiety-depression), and overall quality of life.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Self-hypnosis Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Psyco-education and cognitive behavioral therapy Active Control 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Ciusss de L'Est de l'Île de Montréal

Lead Sponsor

Trials

81

Recruited

6,400+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study of 53 older hospitalized patients with chronic pain, hypnosis was found to significantly reduce pain intensity more than massage during hospitalization, with a notable decrease in pain scores over time in the hypnosis group.

Hypnosis also led to significant improvements in depression scores among participants, highlighting its potential as a safe and effective tool for managing chronic pain in older adults, although the benefits did not persist three months after discharge.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hypnosis can reduce pain in hospitalized older patients: a randomized controlled study. Ardigo, S., Herrmann, FR., Moret, V., et al.[2022]

Hypnosis is generally a safe treatment method, but adverse effects can occur during clinical and workshop settings, highlighting the need for enhanced safety measures.

The article identifies 9 categories of adverse events that can arise in hypnosis workshops and discusses factors that may prevent these incidents from being recognized or reported, emphasizing the importance of awareness and proactive modifications to improve safety.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Issues in the detection of those suffering adverse effects in hypnosis training workshops. Kluft, RP.[2015]

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]

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]

Self-hypnosis was found to be an effective treatment for chronic pain in some patients, with two out of five participants reporting overall improvement after using the technique, as evaluated over a two-year follow-up period.

However, the results also indicated that self-hypnosis may not work for everyone, highlighting the need for further research to identify which patients might benefit most from this approach, beyond just their ability to be hypnotized.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Self-hypnosis in chronic pain. A multiple baseline study of five highly hypnotisable subjects. James, FR., Large, RG., Beale, IL.[2019]

In a study involving 26 children aged 7 to 17, self-hypnosis was found to be effective in reducing pain intensity and improving therapeutic goals related to chronic pain management.

Out of the participants, 16 experienced decreased pain, 10 achieved all their therapeutic goals, and 9 achieved them partially, highlighting the significant role of self-hypnosis in the therapeutic education program.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of Self-hypnosis on Quality of Life For Children with Chronic Pain Syndrome. Delivet, H., Dugue, S., Ferrari, A., et al.[2019]

Chronic pain management can be effectively achieved through non-drug methods, specifically using hypnosis as a psychotherapeutic approach.

By focusing on understanding and alleviating the emotional suffering associated with pain, hypnosis can enhance pain control and facilitate a return to normal functioning.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An approach to the management of chronic pain. Fildes, PG.[2011]

Combining self-hypnosis with brief psychotherapy is an effective approach for treating chronic pain, as it addresses the psychological factors that contribute to the patient's experience of pain.

This combined treatment helps patients take an active role in their pain management, leading to reduced suffering and a shift in their attitude towards pain, making it less central in their lives.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hypnosis in the treatment of chronic pain. Savitz, SA.[2019]

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]

Hypnosis has been shown to significantly reduce chronic pain across various conditions, based on a review of 13 controlled prospective trials.

Compared to nonhypnotic treatments like physical therapy and education, hypnosis interventions, particularly those including self-hypnosis, were generally more effective, although the studies varied in their methods and had small sample sizes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hypnotherapy for the management of chronic pain. Elkins, G., Jensen, MP., Patterson, DR.[2022]

Citations

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frontiersin.org

frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1330238/full

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pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10851891/

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pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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All four treatments were associated with medium to large effect size improvements in pain intensity that maintained up to 12 months post-treatment.

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apm.amegroups.org

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frontiersin.org

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Adjunctive use of hypnosis for clinical pain - PubMed Central

Systematic reviews suggest that stand-alone hypnotic suggestions may improve pain outcomes compared with no treatment, waitlist, or usual care.