Nurse-delivered hypnosis to reduce opioid use in breast cancer surgery

Opioid-Sparing Effects of Nurse-Delivered Hypnosis During Breast Cancer Surgery

NIH-funded research University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11355574

This project will see if hypnosis given by trained nurses can lower opioid needs, pain, and anxiety for women undergoing breast cancer surgery.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Houston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11355574 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would be offered brief hypnosis sessions by trained nurses before and during your breast cancer operation. Nurses use guided relaxation and focused suggestions aimed at reducing pain and anxiety. The team will compare opioid use, pain scores, nausea, and recovery times between patients who receive hypnosis and those who get usual care. The study may also collect short surveys and clinical data from your medical record to track outcomes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Women scheduled for breast cancer surgery who are willing to try nurse-delivered hypnosis and able to give informed consent are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People not having breast surgery, those unable to participate in hypnosis (for example due to severe cognitive impairment or active psychosis), or those who decline the intervention are unlikely to benefit from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could reduce how much opioid medication patients need after breast surgery and lower related side effects like nausea, drowsiness, and delayed recovery.

How similar studies have performed: Prior studies of hypnosedation during minor procedures and biopsies have shown reduced pain, anxiety, and medication use, but applying nurse-delivered hypnosis during major breast cancer surgery is newer and less established.

Where this research is happening

Houston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.