88 Participants Needed

Hypnotic Cognitive Therapy for Chronic Pain

(HYPCT Trial)

AJ
SC
Overseen ByStudy Coordinators
Age: Any Age
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: University of Washington
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) pain is complex and difficult to treat. For individuals with SCI, pain often begins early in the course of their SCI and continues longitudinally. Unfortunately, SCI-related pain is frequently not responsive to medical treatment and medical treatments that are available and commonly used, such as opioids, have negative side-effects and risk of addiction. Nonpharmacological (non-medication) interventions to reduce chronic pain show promise both for individuals with SCI as well as other chronic pain conditions. Research on psychological interventions for chronic pain over the past two decades has consistently found these interventions to be more effective than no treatment, standard care, pain education, or relaxation training alone. However, many of these interventions are designed and implemented in outpatient settings after chronic pain has already developed. The development of early, effective, and preventative interventions to reduce the development of chronic pain has the potential to vastly improve quality of life for individuals with SCI. Having demonstrated the feasibility and acceptance of this treatment in an earlier study, the purpose of this randomized clinical trial is to compare the treatment of Hypnosis Enhanced Cognitive (HYPCT) therapy to Pain Education (ED) for reducing acute and chronic pain for individuals with new spinal cord injuries. The main goals of the study are to: * Aim 1: Test the effectiveness of HYPCT during inpatient rehabilitation for SCI compared to a ED for reducing current pain intensity. * Aim 2: Determine the post-intervention impact of HYPCT sessions compared to ED on average pain intensity. Participants will be asked to: * Complete 4 surveys over seven months * Complete pre and post treatment pain assessments for each of 4 treatment/control sessions Participants will be assigned to one of two groups for treatment and receive either: * 4 Hypnotic Cognitive therapy sessions or * 4 Pain Education sessions

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.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Hypnosis Enhanced Cognitive Therapy for chronic pain?

Research shows that hypnosis can significantly reduce chronic pain compared to no treatment and some non-hypnotic interventions. Group hypnosis has also been found effective in managing chronic pain, with improvements in pain intensity and interference maintained over time.12345

Is Hypnotic Cognitive Therapy for Chronic Pain safe for humans?

Research shows that hypnosis, including Hypnotic Cognitive Therapy, is generally safe for managing chronic pain. Clinical trials have not reported significant safety concerns, and hypnosis is considered a non-invasive treatment with positive effects beyond pain control.12678

How does Hypnosis Enhanced Cognitive Therapy differ from other treatments for chronic pain?

Hypnosis Enhanced Cognitive Therapy is unique because it combines hypnosis with cognitive therapy to manage chronic pain, potentially offering benefits beyond pain control by affecting brain and spinal-cord functioning. Unlike standard treatments, it uses hypnotic suggestions to enhance the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral interventions, although individual responses can vary.12578

Research Team

AJ

Amy J Starosta, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Washington

Eligibility Criteria

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.
Evidences an ability to read and speak English
See 1 more

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.
See 2 more

Timeline

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

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Hypnosis Enhanced Cognitive Therapy
Trial OverviewThe 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.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Hypnosis Enhanced Cognitive TherapyExperimental Treatment1 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 EducationActive Control1 Intervention
This arm will receive 4 sessions of spinal cord injury pain education. Subjects will receive pain education materials for review between therapist sessions.

Find a Clinic Near You

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+

Findings from Research

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.
Hypnotic treatment of chronic pain.Jensen, M., Patterson, DR.[2022]
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.
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.
Delivery of a Group Hypnosis Protocol for Managing Chronic Pain in Outpatient Integrative Medicine.McKernan, LC., Finn, MTM., Crofford, LJ., et al.[2023]

References

Hypnotic treatment of chronic pain. [2022]
Hypnosis and chronic pain. Two contrasting case studies. [2019]
Delivery of a Group Hypnosis Protocol for Managing Chronic Pain in Outpatient Integrative Medicine. [2023]
THE EFFICACY OF HYPNOTIC ANALGESIA IN ADULTS: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE. [2022]
Clinical applications of hypnosis for brief and efficient pain management psychotherapy. [2019]
Cognitive hypnotherapy for pain management. [2018]
Hypnotic approaches for chronic pain management: clinical implications of recent research findings. [2022]
Hypnotic enhancement of cognitive-behavioral interventions for pain: an analogue treatment study. [2019]