Therapeutic communication to reduce anxiety during elective cesarean
CESARCOM Study Protocol: Assessing the Impact of Therapeutic Communication on Patients' Anxiety During Elective Cesarean Sections, - a Before-and-after Interventional Study
This project tests whether training obstetric teams in empathy-based, hypnosis-informed communication can lower anxiety in women having elective cesarean sections.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 260 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Geneva Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Geneva) |
| Trial ID | NCT07137377 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a single-centre, prospective before-and-after study at Geneva University Hospitals enrolling two groups of 130 elective cesarean patients each, before and after an intervention. The intervention is an asynchronous online training program (immersive podcasts and digital flashcards) for obstetric care teams teaching therapeutic communication techniques. Maternal anxiety will be measured using the French version of a validated anxiety scale (STAI) before and after the intervention period. The aim is to determine whether changing caregiver language and communication style can meaningfully reduce preoperative anxiety and related perioperative outcomes.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (≥18 years) planning an elective cesarean at the Geneva University Hospitals maternity unit who speak French and provide consent are the intended participants.
Not a fit: Non-French-speaking patients, women having emergency cesareans, or those with acute medical complications are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience lower preoperative anxiety and potentially improved anesthetic and postoperative outcomes without additional drugs.
How similar studies have performed: Related non-pharmacologic communication and hypnosis-based approaches have reduced anxiety in other surgical settings, but evidence specific to obstetrics remains limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: -≥18 years * elective c-section planned in the Maternity Unit of the Geneva University Hospitals * consent to participate Exclusion Criteria: * Not-French-speaking patients (interpreter required). * All emergency c-sections. * Death during the intervention.
Where this trial is running
Geneva
- Hug — Geneva, Switzerland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Océane Pécheux
- Email: oceane.pecheux@hug.ch
- Phone: +41795535095
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.