Using Hypnosis and Virtual Reality During Pre and Postoperative Cardiovascular Surgery.

Summary

Nowadays, the use of cognitive behavioral therapies has become quite common in the clinical care. Different non-pharmacological techniques, including hypnosis and virtual reality are currently used as complementary tools in the treatment of acute and chronic pain (Pourmand et al., 2017; Vanhaudenhuyse et al., 2009). A new technique called 'virtual reality hypnosis' (VRH) (Patterson et al., 2004), which encompasses a combination of both tools, is regularly used although its actual function remains unknown to this date. With the goal to improve our understanding of VRH combination effects, it is necessary to elaborate randomized and controlled research studies in order to understand their actual function in individual's perception.

100 patients who are undergoing a cardiovascular surgery at the Liège University Hospital will be randomly assigned to four conditions (control, hypnosis, VR and VRH). Each participant will receive two sessions of one of the techniques: one the day before the surgery and one other session the day after, in intensive care units.

Physiological parameters will be taken and participants will fill in a questionnaire which evaluates their level of perceived immersion, their level of anxiety, fatigue, pain and relaxation. A short interview will also be conducted to give participants the opportunity to openly describe their experience.

This study will help to expand the knowledge regarding the influence of these techniques on patient's cognition, perception and sensation .

Conditions

• Thoracic Surgery
• Pain, Postoperative
• Anxiety
• Fatigue

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Hypnosis (Hypn)

The hypnosis session will consist of a 20-minute hypnosis recording created by Marie-Elisabeth Faymonville and recorded by Anne-Sophie Nyssen, both professionals in hypnosis from University of Liège. The recording includes suggestions about relaxation, corporal sensations, respiratory techniques and visual imaginative stimuli about a beautiful landscape. With this tool, the hypnosis session is standardized for all patients and there is no need of a psychotherapist to deliver hypnosis.

BEHAVIORAL

Virtual reality (VR)

VR sessions. This session will consist in using a head-mounted 3D graphical display with goggles. With this tool, participants will be able to visualize a 3D immersive landscape for 20 minutes consisting of a shed near a lake at sunrise followed by a relaxing moment in the clouds. The session ends on the lake's edge.

BEHAVIORAL

Virtual reality hypnosis (VRH)

The combined tool sessions. Participants will be simultaneously subjected to the same hypnosis recording and 3D visual stimuli used in the Hypn and VR conditions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Liege

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Audrey Vanhaudenhuyse, PhD · CHU of Liège

• Anne-Sophie Nyssen, Professor · University of Liege

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2018-10-06

Primary Completion

2020-12-28

Completion

2020-12-28

Countries

• Belgium

Study Locations