Clinical trial · Interventional
Hypnosis and Meditation for Cancer Pain
Hypnosis and Meditation for Cancer Pain Pilot Study
- Source
- ClinicalTrials.gov
- Retrieved
- Sep 8, 2026
- Layer
- normalized (units and labels harmonized; values unchanged)
- Run
- ING-CLINICALTRIALS-20260908-000001
Summary
Brief summary (as posted)
The research study involves an open label trial (i.e., participant selects one of 2 interventions) to determine whether Veterans engaged in treatment for head and/or neck cancers find either of the two available behavioral treatments for pain (Self-Hypnosis or Mindfulness) helpful in managing pain, and if the study's delivery modality (providing audio recordings and workbooks for home use) is acceptable and feasible. If neither of the 2 interventions seems appealing, the participant can participate in the study by completing the study assessments only (this option is usual care); however, the participant will not receive the study materials or one-on-one appointments with the study clinician.
Conditions
Conditions (2)
Free-text conditions as registered, with the CancerIndex entity they were reconciled to and the match type.
| Condition (as posted) | Mapped entity | Match | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cancer of Head and Neck | Malignant Head and Neck Neoplasm | ALIAS | 0.90 |
| Pain Related to Cancer | Head and Neck Neoplasm | PROBABILISTIC | 0.70 |
Interventions
Interventions (2)
| Intervention | Type | Mapped drug | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hypnosis | Behavioral | — | UNRESOLVED |
| Mindfulness | Behavioral | — | UNRESOLVED |
Design
Arms and outcomes
Arms (3)
- type
- EXPERIMENTAL
- label
- Hypnosis
- description
- Participant will have one brief meeting with a clinician in which they will learn about hypnosis and be provided with an informational booklet and with audiorecordings of hypnosis exercises. Participants will be encouraged to listen to the hypnosis recordings as much as they would like, whenever they would like to listen. The recordings are short inductions followed by therapeutic suggestions, including post-hypnotic suggestions. Participants will relax in a comfortable position with their eyes closed and will simply listen to the audio recordings that will include an induction followed by suggestions for decreased pain and improvement in co-morbid symptoms (e.g., improved mood and optimism, relaxation, sleep quality).
- interventionNames
- Behavioral: Hypnosis
- type
- EXPERIMENTAL
- label
- Mindfulness
- description
- Participant will have one brief meeting with a clinician in which they will learn about mindfulness meditation and be provided with an informational booklet and with audio recordings of mindfulness exercises. Participants will learn Vipassana meditation by listening to audio recordings, which is the specific form of mindfulness meditation (MM) typically implemented in mindfulness research. The emphasis is placed upon developing focused attention on an object of awareness, such as the breath. This focus is then expanded to include a more open, non-judgmental monitoring of any sensory, emotional, or cognitive events.Participants will be encouraged to listen to the meditation recordings as much as they would like, whenever they would like to listen.
Eligibility
Eligibility (as posted)
- Sex
- All
- Minimum age
- 18 Years
Show eligibility criteria text
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Veteran status (defined as prior service in the US Armed Forces and eligible to receive health care services through Veterans Health Affairs) 2. 18 years of age or older 3. Undergoing head and/or neck cancer treatment at the VAPSHCS in Seattle. 4. Less than two (2) errors on the 6-item Cognitive Screener 5. Able to read, speak, and understand English Exclusion Criteria: 1. Primary psychotic or major thought disorder as listed in participant's medical record or self-reported 2. Psychiatric or behavioral conditions in which symptoms were unstable or severe (e.g., current delirium, mania, psychosis, suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation, active substance use disorder, psychiatric hospitalization) as listed in participant's medical record or self-reported within the past six months 3. Hospitalization for psychiatric reasons involving psychosis other than suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation, and/or PTSD as noted in chart (within the past 5 years). 4. Difficulties or limitations communicating over the telephone
References
Publications (0)
Data not yet available