Hypnosis before hysterectomy: a new way to ease cancer surgery nerves?

NCT ID NCT03281018

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: University Hospital, Bordeaux Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study looked at whether a one-hour hypnosis session, done 5 to 15 days before a hysterectomy for pelvic gynecological cancer, could lower anxiety around the time of surgery. Twenty-nine women participated, and the hypnosis was guided by a trained nurse. The main goal was to see if this approach could reduce anxiety, with pain and nausea also tracked as secondary outcomes.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: preoperative hypnosis session
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a drug-free way to help women feel less anxious before cancer surgery.
What could go wrong: This is a very small, early study with only 29 participants and no comparison group, so results may not be reliable or apply to everyone.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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