Cancer survivors who suffer from chronic pain would benefit from a low-cost, self-management intervention they can use at home. This study will evaluate the efficacy of a recorded hypnosis intervention in reducing chronic pain among cancer survivors and will explore its biological and psychological mechanisms.
The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate if a 4-week recorded hypnosis intervention (RHI) works for reducing chronic pain in 100 adult cancer survivors who have completed active treatment. The RHI will be compared to an attention control condition (relaxation recording). qEEG measurement will be obtained while listening to the RHI at weeks 0, 2, and 4 to explore if brain states are related to hypnotic analgesia during the 4-week study period in 20 study participants. The study has the following specific aims: Aim 1: Does the RHI work? Evaluate the efficacy of RHI in reducing self-reported pain intensity (primary outcome), pain interference, anxiety, depression, fatigue and sleep disturbance (secondary outcomes) at 4 weeks compared to the attention control condition (relaxation recording). Hypothesis: RHI will significantly reduce pain intensity, pain interference, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and sleep disturbance at 4 weeks. Aim 2: For whom does the RHI work? Examine if psychological factors (hypnotic suggestibility, mental absorption, treatment outcome expectancy, fear of cancer recurrence, resilience, self-efficacy) influence the relationship between RHI and pain intensity at weeks 0, 2, and 4. Aim 3: How does the RHI work? a. Compare brain activity as measured by electroencephalogram (EEG) in cancer survivors with chronic pain (n=30) receiving the RHI relative to the attention control condition (relaxation recording) at weeks 0, 2, and 4. b. Explore the effects of brain activity on pain intensity at weeks 0, 2, and 4. In addition, structured interviews will be conducted with participants to understand facilitators and barriers associated with undergoing EEG at three time points and perceptions on how the intervention works to reduce pain.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
109
The RHI consists of four digital recordings developed by the investigator using standardized hypnosis scripts for pain reduction and uploaded to a MP3 player. The scripts were developed for patients with chronic pain and tested by a psychologist who is an expert in hypnosis research. Participants will listen to the recordings daily for 28 days in the prescribed order (4 recordings for 3 days each, and then any recording for the remaining 16 days). The script includes an induction, suggestions for how to access inner resources and manage pain, and post-hypnotic suggestions for permanence of hypnosis benefits and self-hypnosis practice.
The recorded relaxation intervention consists of four digital recordings developed by the investigator using standardized relaxation scripts and uploaded to a MP3 player. Participants will listen to the recordings daily for 28 days in the prescribed order (4 recordings for 3 days each, and then any recording for the remaining 16 days).
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
Seattle, Washington, United States
Change in Pain Intensity
The Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System® (PROMIS®) v.1.0, 1a - Pain Intensity; minimum value 0, maximum value 10; a lower score indicates a better outcome. A change between pre-treatment (baseline) and post-treatment (4 weeks) scores is reported.
Time frame: Pre- to Post-treatment (4 weeks)
Change in Pain Interference
The Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System® (PROMIS®) Pain Interference Short Form 4v1.1 scores were converted to T-scores. T-scores of 50 indicates the U.S. population mean with a standard deviation of 10. A lower score indicates less pain interference. A change between pre-treatment (baseline) and post-treatment (4 weeks) scores is reported.
Time frame: Pre- to Post-treatment (4 weeks)
Change in Anxiety
The Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System® (PROMIS®) Anxiety Short Form 4v1 scores were converted to T-scores. T-scores of 50 indicates the U.S. population mean with a standard deviation of 10. A lower score indicates less anxiety. A change between pre-treatment (baseline) and post-treatment (4 weeks) scores is reported.
Time frame: Pre- to Post-treatment (4 weeks)
Change in Depression
The Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System® (PROMIS®) Depression Short Form 4v1 scores were converted to T-scores. T-scores of 50 indicates the U.S. population mean with a standard deviation of 10. A lower score indicates less depression. A change between pre-treatment (baseline) and post-treatment (4 weeks) scores is reported.
Time frame: Pre- to Post-treatment (4 weeks)
Change in Fatigue
The Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System® (PROMIS®) Fatigue Short Form 4v1 scores were converted to T-scores. T-scores of 50 indicates the U.S. population mean with a standard deviation of 10. A lower score indicates less fatigue. A change between pre-treatment (baseline) and post-treatment (4 weeks) scores is reported.
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Time frame: Pre- to Post-treatment (4 weeks)
Change in Sleep Disturbance
The Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System® (PROMIS®) Sleep Disturbance Short Form 4v1 scores were converted to T-scores. T-scores of 50 indicates the U.S. population mean with a standard deviation of 10. A lower score indicates less sleep disturbance. A change between pre-treatment (baseline) and post-treatment (4 weeks) scores is reported.
Time frame: Pre- to Post-treatment (4 weeks)