Self-Hypnosis Training for Migraine Management (HYlaMI): A Pilot and Proof-of-Concept Study

Summary

Migraine is one of the most common and disabling neurological conditions worldwide, affecting approximately 1 billion people. Available pharmacological treatments have significant limitations (side effects, contraindications, medication overuse), highlighting the need for effective non-pharmacological alternatives.

The HYlaMI program (Self-Hypnosis Training for Migraine Management) is an 8-session group-based telehealth intervention adapted from HYlaDO, a self-hypnosis program developed for chronic pain management at the Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont Pain Clinic (Montréal, Canada). Building on a refinement study conducted in autumn 2025 (CER: 2026-4061), HYlaMI combines heterohypnosis (guided by a trained clinician) and self-hypnosis (practiced autonomously at home using audio recordings) through weekly one-hour video sessions (Zoom/CIUSSS EMTL platform).

This study combines ORBIT Phase IIa (proof of concept) and Phase IIb (pilot study) objectives. The primary aims are to evaluate the feasibility of the HYlaMI program (retention and adherence rates) and to assess whether it can generate a clinically significant change in migraine-related disability compared to a waitlist control group. Secondary aims include evaluating effects on anxiety and depressive symptoms, pain self-efficacy, situational pain/anxiety/relaxation, migraine frequency, intensity and duration, medication intake, work absenteeism, quality of life, and the economic burden of migraine.

A mixed-methods design will be used. Forty adults with a diagnosis of migraine for more than one year will be randomized to either the HYlaMI intervention group (n=20) or a waitlist control group (n=20). Participants will complete validated questionnaires at multiple time points (pre-intervention, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and 4-week follow-up), a weekly migraine diary, and self-hypnosis practice logs. Two semi-structured focus groups will be conducted with intervention group participants to inform program improvement.

If successful, this study will provide the evidence base required to proceed to a larger randomized controlled trial (ORBIT Phase III).

Conditions

• Migraine Disorder

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

HYlaMI (Self-Hypnosis Training for Migraine Management)

Eight weekly one-hour group telehealth sessions (Zoom/CIUSSS EMTL platform) delivering 7 complementary self-hypnosis exercises targeting migraine-related pain, stress, anxiety, and psychological resources. Each session follows a standardized hypnotic structure. High-quality audio recordings of all exercises are provided to participants for home self-hypnosis practice. A clinician-researcher (doctoral candidate in neuropsychology, trained in hypnosis) leads all sessions using a standardized clinician manual. A concluding focus group and follow-up session is held 4 weeks post-intervention.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ciusss de L'Est de l'Île de Montréal

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-06-01

Primary Completion

2027-06-30

Completion

2027-09-30

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations