Feasibility of hypnotherapy for young cancer patients

HYPNotherapy for Improving Distress and Sleep in Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer; a Feasibility Study (HYPNAYA Feasibility Study)

Observational Academisch Medisch Centrum - Universiteit van Amsterdam (AMC-UvA) · NCT06021093

This study is testing if hypnotherapy can help young cancer patients aged 18-39 feel less stressed, sleep better, and improve their quality of life.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment30 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 39 Years
SexAll
SponsorAcademisch Medisch Centrum - Universiteit van Amsterdam (AMC-UvA) Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations2 sites (Amsterdam, Noord-Holland and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06021093 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the feasibility of using hypnotherapy as a supportive treatment for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) diagnosed with cancer. Participants aged 18-39 will receive two individual hypnotherapy sessions along with home-based exercises and standardized hypnosis recordings. The study will assess the impact of hypnotherapy on stress, sleep, and health-related quality of life through questionnaires administered at baseline, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks after the first session. The research is conducted at the Amsterdam UMC, focusing on AYAs undergoing systemic treatment or follow-up care.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adolescents and young adults aged 18-39 currently undergoing cancer treatment or follow-up care.

Not a fit: Patients actively treated by a psychiatrist or those who have previously received hypnotherapy may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce distress and improve the quality of life for young cancer patients.

How similar studies have performed: While hypnotherapy has been explored in various contexts, this specific approach for AYAs with cancer is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria

* Consecutive AYA patients undergoing systemic treatment or follow-up up to 6 months after finishing medical treatment at the Amsterdam University Medical Centers in Amsterdam, will be invited to participate.
* The Dutch definition of AYA is patients aged 18-39 years at cancer diagnosis.
* All patients need to be fluent in Dutch
* Able to understand the informed consent form
* Willing to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

* Patients that are actively treated by a psychiatrist will not be able to participate in this study to prevent interference with ongoing psychiatric treatment.
* Patients that are mentally incompetent (based on the opinion of the treating physician) will be excluded.
* Patients that previously received hypnotherapy will also be excluded.

Where this trial is running

Amsterdam, Noord-Holland and 1 other locations

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 AYA Cancer PatientsMedical 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.