Hypnosis to improve attention and reduce fatigue in stroke, TBI, and MS
Hypnosis and Attention in Patients With a Neurological Disease
This trial tests whether adding hypnosis to standard rehab can help adults with stroke, traumatic brain injury, or multiple sclerosis improve attention and feel less fatigued.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 48 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Luzerner Kantonsspital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Lucerne) |
| Trial ID | NCT07256704 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults with stroke, traumatic brain injury, or multiple sclerosis often have attention problems and reduced spontaneous visual exploration that limit daily function. This feasibility study integrates hypnosis sessions with participants' usual neurorehabilitation care and includes sham-hypnosis sessions while recording EEG to track brain activity during interventions. The team will measure feasibility and acceptability and look for preliminary changes in attention, free visual exploration, and fatigue using behavioral tests and EEG markers. Participants are German-speaking inpatients or outpatients at the Clinic for Neurology and Neurorehabilitation at Luzerner Kantonsspital who are 18 years or older and able to give informed consent.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (18+) with a clinical diagnosis of stroke, TBI, or MS who are treated as inpatients or outpatients at the Clinic for Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, speak German, can consent, and do not have active psychiatric illness or EEG‑interfering implants are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with active psychiatric disorders, implanted neurostimulation devices or cochlear implants, scalp conditions that prevent EEG electrode placement, or who cannot follow German instructions may not benefit from or be eligible for this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, adding hypnosis could improve attention and reduce fatigue, helping people regain more independence in daily activities.
How similar studies have performed: Hypnosis has shown benefits in pain and fatigue in other medical settings, but its application to attention and visual exploration in stroke, TBI, and MS is relatively novel with limited prior evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: ICD-10 Diagnosis of stroke, TBI or MS Admitted to the inpatient and/or outpatient in the Clinic for Neurology and Neurorehabilitation Age 18 years old or older Understanding the German language Written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Psychiatric disease Exclusion criteria for the EEG: Scalp or skin conditions that interfere with EEG electrode placement (e.g. open wounds, infections, severe psoriasis) Implanted medical or neurostimulation devices that interfere with EEG electrode placement (e.g. deep brain stimulators, cochlear implants)
Where this trial is running
Lucerne
- Luzerner Kantonsspital — Lucerne, Switzerland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Thomas Nyffeler, Prof. Dr. med.
- Email: thomas.nyffeler@luks.ch
- Phone: +41412055686
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.