Comparing hypnosis and standard care for treating non-REM parasomnias

Evaluation of the Efficacy of Non-pharmacological Treatments for Parasomnias: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Not applicable Interventional Centre de Médecine Intégrative et Complémentaire (CEMIC) · NCT05953207

This study is testing whether medical hypnosis can help people with non-REM sleep disorders feel better compared to standard treatment methods.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorCentre de Médecine Intégrative et Complémentaire (CEMIC) Academic / other
Locations1 site (Lausanne, Vaud)
Trial IDNCT05953207 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of non-pharmacological treatments, specifically medical hypnosis, compared to standard treatment methods for patients diagnosed with non-REM parasomnia. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either medical hypnosis or standard care, which includes sleep hygiene and risk reduction strategies. The study involves a total of five visits, including treatment sessions and assessments to monitor sleep patterns and treatment outcomes through questionnaires and electroencephalography.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals diagnosed with non-REM parasomnia who experience at least one episode per month.

Not a fit: Patients with significant comorbid conditions affecting sleep or those currently taking medications that interfere with sleep architecture may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a novel, non-drug approach to effectively manage non-REM parasomnias.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of hypnosis in treating sleep disorders is explored, this specific comparison of hypnosis and standard care for non-REM parasomnias is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Non-REM parasomnias diagnosis according to the international classification disease of sleep disorders
* Willling and able to give informed consent
* Reporting at least one parasomniac episode per month
* Reporting at least one parasomniac episode the month prior

Exclusion Criteria:

* Refusal to use the home video recording device
* Current or planned intake (during the next 2 months) of medications/substances that may interfere with sleep architecture (e.g., hypnotics, neuroleptics, antidepressants, benzodiazepines)
* A comorbid significant somatic disease altering the brain (e.g., cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, dementia)
* A comorbid sleep disorder (e.g., apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) \>= 20/hour, REM sleep behaviour disorder, restless legs syndrome with symptoms more than 2 days/week)
* A comorbid psychiatric disorder (e.g., severe depressive or anxiety disorder or psychotic disorder)

Where this trial is running

Lausanne, Vaud

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions NREM ParasomniaMedical hypnosis
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.