Cognitive Trance, Hypnosis and Meditation in Oncology

Last updated: April 3, 2025
Sponsor: University of Liege
Overall Status: Active - Not Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Pain

Memory Loss

Pain (Pediatric)

Treatment

Cognitive trance group intervention

Hypnosis group intervention

Meditation group intervention

Clinical Study ID

NCT04873661
Trance-Onco
  • Ages > 18
  • All Genders

Study Summary

Patients with cancer often suffer from a symptom cluster, including pain, fatigue, sleep difficulties, emotional distress and cognitive impairments. In oncology settings, there is a growing interest in "mind-body" intervention, to relieve them in a non-pharmacological way. Hypnosis and meditation are two modified state of consciousness shown to positively this symptom cluster. Cognitive trance is also a modified state of consciousness, but is induced by body movements and/or vocalizations. Subjective reports of experts in cognitive trance showed a modification of self, emotion regulation, pain perception, attention and concentration. However, we still need to develop studies to better characterise this particular state of consciousness and its clinical applications. Our randomized-controlled trial aims at comparing both interventions in terms of (1) benefits on cancer patients' quality of life (pain, fatigue, sleep, distress, cognitive impairments), (2) phenomenological/subjective experiences and neurophysiological correlates, and (3) mechanisms involved in patients' responsiveness, based on the biopsychosocial model of hypnosis.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • ≥18 years old

  • No neurological/psychiatric disorders/history of alcohol or drug abuse

  • No current and regular practice of hypnosis, meditation or cognitive trance

  • Diagnosis of cancer (all localisations accepted except brain tumours to avoid anyeffect on EEG data and cognitive impairments)

  • Active treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy) finished for less than ayear.

  • Score of at least 4/10 for one of these four symptoms at baseline: pain, fatigue,sleep difficulties, emotional distress.

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • < 18 year old

  • No cancer diagnosis

  • Neurological or psychiatric disorder

  • Brain tumour ou other tumour with brain metastases

  • Active treatments still ongoing or finished for more than a year

  • No baseline symptom at 4/10

Study Design

Total Participants: 160
Treatment Group(s): 3
Primary Treatment: Cognitive trance group intervention
Phase:
Study Start date:
January 01, 2021
Estimated Completion Date:
July 31, 2025

Connect with a study center

  • University of Liège

    Liège, 4000
    Belgium

    Site Not Available

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