Evaluation of the Interest of Hypno-relaxation During Somatosensory Evoked Potentials

Summary

Somatosensory evoked potentials corresponds to a neurophysiological exam that studies the functioning of the sensitivity pathways. It is often complementary to the imaging examination (MRI or scanner) and the electroneuromyogram which studies only the peripheral part of the sensory and motor pathways while the somatosensory evoked potentials are interested in their central and peripheral component.

The studied information are the potentials generated in the nervous system by the presentation of sensory stimulation. The examination makes it possible to study conduction times which will be defined as normal or pathological according to standards established on control subjects. Their indication is multiple: study of the repercussions of cervical osteoarthritis, specify the diagnosis of certain neuropathies, study of the conduction pathways at the medullary level in the event of trauma or inflammatory or other lesion.

In our study, the investigators will only be interested in the somatosensory evoked Potentials.

A study has shown that hypnotic suggestions to reduce the unpleasantness of pain triggered by thermal stimulation lead to a selective reduction of activity in the anterior cingulate cortex without modifying the activation of the somesthetic cortex.

Pain is, like all sensory stimulation, subject to the influences of attention, anticipation, mental imagery, previous conditioning. The fronto-cingular areas, activated by analgesics such as morphine, or by cortical stimulation are the same as those used by non-drug techniques such as hypnosis.

Therapeutic hypnosis is "a relational experience bringing into play physiological and psychological mechanisms allowing the individual to live better, reduce or eliminate an acute or chronic painful pathology" (Definition of Doctor Jean Marc Benhaiem).

The study of somatosensory evoked Potentials is a long examination (90 to 120 minutes), which can be uncomfortable for the patient (patient lying down, immobile and relaxed), not having to contract his muscles, especially if he is already painful due to his pathology or if it is difficult for him to remain motionless in the supine position. It is indeed necessary to average around 600 to 1000 responses (number of averages) to a small electrical simulation on each member studied.

The muscular contractions of an anxious and/or painful patient prolong the duration of the examination or even disturb the results, to the point of making it impossible to interpret the examination.

To our knowledge, hypnosis has already been used to improve muscle relaxation and reduce anxiety and pain during electromyograms, but hypnosis has never been used to improve the outcome of somatosensory evoked Potentials. Furthermore, if hypnosis modifies certain late cortical waves, it does not cause modification of the early waves and therefore does not disturb the results expected in our clinical practice.

Conditions

• Neuropathy;Peripheral

Interventions

OTHER

Hypnorelaxation

Hypno-relaxation is induced by following VAKOG: external sensory identification, fixation of attention, bodily sensation, breathing, sensory perceptions, closing of the eyes. The work phase follows induction and allows deepening of the hypnotic trance. It corresponds to a metaphorical narrative associated with post-hypnotic suggestions and is fueled by the construction of adapted suggestions and metaphors, adapted to each patient. The investigator who remains present throughout the duration of the examination, maintains a hypnotic, empathetic, attentive attitude, and makes it possible to recover this material. Using the elements previously supplied by the patient, the investigator tells a story which allows the patient to focus his attention on something other than the performance of the somatosensory evoked potentials examination. The investigator, thanks to hypnosis, allows the development

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Fondation Hôpital Saint-Joseph

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Veronique MARCAUD, MD · Fondation Hôpital Saint-Joseph

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

DIAGNOSTIC

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2020-01-13

Primary Completion

2023-01-16

Completion

2023-04-06

Countries

• France

Study Locations