Hypnosis and placebo put to the test against chronic nerve pain
NCT ID NCT03783624
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looked at whether hypnosis or a placebo pill (given honestly, without deception) can reduce chronic nerve pain and improve how the brain handles pain. Seventy-two adults with long-term nerve pain were randomly assigned to hypnosis, open-label placebo, or usual care. The goal was to see if these treatments could ease pain and change brain activity linked to pain.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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72 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Nov 2018
- Finished
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Jul 2024
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 90 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Patients: Inclusion criteria: * aged 18-90 years, * interested in complementary medicine * peripheral neuropathic pain lasting for more than 6 months, * pain intensity of at least 3/10 VAS over the last two weeks Exclusion criteria: * cognitive deficit (MMSE\<24/30), * severe hearing impairment, * acute psychiatric (e.g. suicidality, psychotic symptoms) or somatic (e.g. unstable cardiorespiratory condition) co-morbidity preventing full engagement in the 8-week study intervention, * prior negative experience with hypnosis, * allergy or intolerance to mannitol. Healthy controls: Inclusion Criteria: * matching patients for age and gender, * no chronic pain condition no acute pain condition requiring daily intake of analgesics, * no acute medical or psychiatric condition.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV)
Lausanne, 1011, Switzerland
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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