Clinical hypnosis to reduce anxiety before abdominal surgery
Effect of Clinical Hypnosis in Preoperative Anxiety Among Patients Undergoing an Abdominal Surgery : a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.
This will test whether a single 15–20 minute clinical hypnosis session before abdominal surgery can lower preoperative anxiety and reduce postoperative pain in consenting adult patients.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 48 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | HASSAN 1st university Academic / other |
| Locations | 3 sites (Kenitra, Province and 2 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07370974 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a multicenter, randomized, parallel-group trial in three Moroccan hospitals that enrolls ASA I–II adults scheduled for abdominal surgery and randomizes them 1:1 to a 15–20 minute level 2 hypnosis session versus standard psychological preparation. Allocation is stratified by center and sex, and the primary outcome is visual analog scale (VAS) anxiety measured after the intervention, with secondary outcomes including postoperative VAS pain, analgesic consumption, and length of stay. The trial is powered to detect a 10 mm reduction in anxiety VAS with 80% power at α=0.05 and plans to enroll about 48–68 participants. Protocol support is linked to a PhD at Université Hassan 1er Settat.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are consenting adults (ASA I–II) scheduled for abdominal surgery who can understand and follow instructions and have no major psychiatric or cognitive disorders.
Not a fit: Patients with prior hypnosis experience, active major mental illness, cognitive impairment, or current psychoactive substance use are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, a short preoperative hypnosis session could reduce anxiety and postoperative pain, lower analgesic needs, and possibly shorten hospital stay.
How similar studies have performed: Previous randomized trials and meta-analyses have reported modest reductions in perioperative anxiety and pain with hypnosis, so this trial builds on supportive but not definitive evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
* Inclusion Criteria: 1. Consenting patients undergoing abdominal surgery 2. ASA I-II physical status 3. Able to understand and respond to instructions 4. No major psychological disorders * Exclusion Criteria: 1. Non-consenting patients 2. Prior experience with hypnosis 3. History of mental illness 4. Psychoactive substance consumption 5. Cognitive disorders
Where this trial is running
Kenitra, Province and 2 other locations
- Kenitra, Rabat Sale Kenitra region, Morocco — Kenitra, Province, Morocco (Completed)
- Settat, Casablanca settat region , Morocco — Settat, Province, Morocco (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Youssoufia, Marrakech-Safi Morocco — Youssoufia, Province, Morocco (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: YOUSSEF EL-ALLAM EL-ALLAM, Phd student
- Email: youssef.el-allam.doc@uhp.ac.ma
- Phone: +212653977028
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.