NCT03820700: VRHypnICU

Using Hypnosis and Virtual Reality During Pre and Postoperative Cardiovascular Surgery.

Status unknown NA Last updated 3 January 2020

What this trial tests

NA trial testing Hypnosis (Hypn) in Thoracic Surgery in 100 participants. Status unknown.

Timeline

6 October 2018

Primary endpoint
28 December 2020

28 December 2020

Quick facts

Lead sponsor	University of Liege
Phase	NA
Status	Status unknown
Study type	INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation	randomized
Design	parallel
Masking	none
Primary purpose	supportive care
Enrollment	100
Start date	6 October 2018
Primary completion	28 December 2020
Estimated completion	28 December 2020
Sites	1 location across Belgium

Drugs / interventions tested

• Hypnosis (Hypn)
• Virtual reality (VR)
• Virtual reality hypnosis (VRH)

Conditions studied

• Thoracic Surgery — all drugs for Thoracic Surgery →
• Pain, Postoperative — all drugs for Pain, Postoperative →
• Anxiety — all drugs for Anxiety →
• Fatigue — all drugs for Fatigue →

Sponsor

University of Liege

Who can join

18 and older, any sex, with Thoracic Surgery or Pain, Postoperative. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Sponsor's own description

Nowadays, the use of cognitive behavioral therapies has become quite common in the clinical care. Different non-pharmacological techniques, including hypnosis and virtual reality are currently used as complementary tools in the treatment of acute and chronic pain (Pourmand et al., 2017; Vanhaudenhuyse et al., 2009). A new technique called 'virtual reality hypnosis' (VRH) (Patterson et al., 2004), which encompasses a combination of both tools, is regularly used although its actual function remains unknown to this date. With the goal to improve our understanding of VRH combination effects, it is necessary to elaborate randomized and controlled research studies in order to understand their actual function in individual's perception.

100 patients who are undergoing a cardiovascular surgery at the Liège University Hospital will be randomly assigned to four conditions (control, hypnosis, VR and VRH). Each participant will receive two sessions of one of the techniques: one the day before the surgery and one other session the day after, in intensive care units.

Physiological parameters will be taken and participants will fill in a questionnaire which evaluates their level of perceived immersion, their level of anxiety, fatigue, pain and relaxation. A short interview will also be conducted to give participants the opportunity to openly describe their experience.

This study will help to expand the knowledge regarding the influence of these techniques on patient's cognition, perception and sensation .

Publications & conference data

4 peer-reviewed publications reference this trial (live from Europe PMC):

1. Virtual reality and hypnosis for anxiety and pain management in intensive care units: A prospective randomised trial among cardiac surgery patients.
   Rousseaux F, Dardenne N, Massion PB, Ledoux D, et al · · 2022 · cited 75× · PMID 34783683 · DOI 10.1097/eja.0000000000001633
2. Can hypnosis and virtual reality reduce anxiety, pain and fatigue among patients who undergo cardiac surgery: a randomised controlled trial.
   Rousseaux F, Faymonville ME, Nyssen AS, Dardenne N, et al · · 2020 · cited 27× · PMID 32293517 · DOI 10.1186/s13063-020-4222-6
3. Using Virtual Reality to Improve Outcomes Related to Quality of Life Among Older Adults With Serious Illnesses: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.
   Maheta B, Kraft A, Interrante N, Fereydooni S, et al · · 2025 · cited 10× · PMID 40009834 · DOI 10.2196/54452
4. Virtual Reality Hypnosis for Anxiety and Pain Management in Intensive Care Units. A Prospective Randomized Trial Among Cardiac Surgery Patients.
   Rousseaux FM, Dardenne N, Massion PB, Ledoux D, et al · · 2020 · DOI 10.21203/rs.3.rs-60523/v1