Hypnosis for the Management of Anxiety and Breathlessness During a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program

Summary

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are prone to breathlessness, chest tightness and other anxiety-inducing symptoms. Medical therapy for the condition focus on improving these symptoms and preventing exacerbations. However, as the disease progresses, pharmacological therapies become less and less effective. Patients with advanced COPD often feel less benefit from the treatment in terms of relief from their symptoms and relief from anxiety about their breathing. Hypnosis is known to induce immediate changes in how a person thinks and experiences their body. These changes can break vicious cycles of anxiety. Hypnosis has already been used successfully people with breathing problems to reduce anxiety and improve breathing. This trial aims to investigate the effect of hypnosis as a complementary technique for the self-management of breathlessness and anxiety during a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program (PRP). As a secondary measure, the investigators aim to uncover whether the use of self-hypnosis remains useful during the three months following the PRP, after discharge from hospital.

Conditions

• COPD
• Dyspnea
• Anxiety

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Hypnosis

Two 45-minute group sessions in which patients experience hypnosis and learn how to use it for the self-management of anxiety and anxiety-related dyspnea. First session is introductory. Second session addresses concerns that patients may have identified after using self-hypnosis. Both sessions include group hypnosis exercises. Both sessions are to be administered in an identical manner, and require the same motor and communication responses from the patient (i.e., concentrate on the practitioner's voice, eye closure, relaxation, nodding). Patients are asked to concentrate in nature-themed metaphors and hypnotic suggestions of pure air entering their lungs. Both sessions end with a round of questions, instructions and motivation to use self-hypnosis throughout the duration of the PRP and beyond.

BEHAVIORAL

Relaxation

Two 45-minute group sessions in which patients experience dynamic relaxation and learn how to use it for the self-management of anxiety and anxiety-related dyspnea. Both sessions include group relaxation exercises. Both sessions are to be administered in an identical manner, and require the same motor and communication responses from the patient (i.e., concentrate on the practitioner's voice, stretching, breathing exercises, nodding). Both sessions end with a round of questions, instructions and motivation to use relaxation throughout the duration of the PRP and beyond.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Centre Hospitalier de Bligny

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• François Larue, MD · Centre Hospitalier de Bligny

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

30 Years

Max Age

90 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-09-27

Primary Completion

2024-04-19

Completion

2024-04-19

Countries

• France

Study Locations