Using cardiac coherence and hypnosis to reduce preoperative anxiety in cancer surgery

Phase III Study Evaluating a Non-drug Intervention (NDI) Program by Fixed-frequency Guided Breathing (Cardiac Coherence) Associated With Medical Hypnosis on Preoperative Anxiety in Oncological Surgery

Not applicable Interventional Institut du Cancer de Montpellier - Val d'Aurelle · NCT05197972

This study is testing whether using heart-focused breathing techniques with hypnosis can help reduce anxiety in patients about to have cancer surgery.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment296 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorInstitut du Cancer de Montpellier - Val d'Aurelle Academic / other
Locations4 sites (Montpellier, Hérault and 3 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05197972 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of combining cardiac coherence techniques with hypnosis to alleviate preoperative anxiety in patients undergoing oncological surgery. The approach seeks to provide a non-pharmacological alternative to traditional anxiety management methods, which often involve benzodiazepines that can have undesirable side effects. By practicing cardiac coherence and hypnosis, patients may gain better control over their anxiety levels leading up to surgery. The study will include patients who are scheduled for surgery and will assess their anxiety levels before and after the intervention.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 and older who are scheduled for surgery related to cancer and can engage with the required technology.

Not a fit: Patients undergoing emergency surgeries or those with specific cardiac or respiratory conditions may not benefit from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce preoperative anxiety for cancer patients, improving their overall surgical experience.

How similar studies have performed: While the combination of cardiac coherence and hypnosis is a novel approach, similar non-pharmacological interventions have shown promise in reducing anxiety in various medical settings.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age ≥ 18 years old
2. Patient with a scheduled surgery for a cancer (suspected or declared) with a classic or ambulatory hospitalization
3. Patients requiring general anesthesia with or without associated loco-regional anesthesia or loco-regional anesthesia alone
4. Patient with a smartphone or a tablet or a computer and able to install the application
5. Inclusion of the patient minimum 7 days before the date of the surgery
6. Patient who signed the informed consent
7. Patient affiliated to a French social security system

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Emergency surgery
2. Plastic surgery for reconstruction: lipomodelling
3. Prophylactic surgery: no suspected or existing cancer
4. Bradycardia (\< 50 beats/minute) with β-blockers
5. Severe heart failure with ventricular ejection fraction \< 40%
6. Uncontrolled chronic pain for more than three months on morphine
7. Patient with unstable epilepsy or respiratory pathology with rest dyspnea
8. Patient used to and having a regular and habitual practice of relaxation techniques such as yoga, hypnosis, sophrology, meditation, music therapy, virtual reality, ...
9. Medical (neurological, psychiatric, etc.) or psychological conditions not allow for participation in the protocol (completion of questionnaires and booklet, compliance with the cardiac coherence program coupled with hypnosis)
10. Deaf patient without hearing aids
11. Patient under guardianship or curatorship

Where this trial is running

Montpellier, Hérault and 3 other locations

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 SurgeryOncology
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.