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Hypnotherapy for Needle-related Procedural Pain and Anxiety Management in a Pediatric Setting
Sponsor: Aarhus University Hospital
Summary
The proposed study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of hypnotherapy as a non-pharmacological intervention for managing pain and anxiety during needle-related medical procedures in children aged 5 to 17 years. This research addresses a significant gap in pediatric healthcare, where painful procedures often induce distress and long-term anxiety, leading to avoidance of necessary medical care. Conventional pain management strategies primarily rely on pharmacological methods, which may pose risks and side effects. Thus, exploring safe and effective alternatives, such as hypnotherapy, is crucial.The target group for this randomized controlled trial includes children scheduled for painful procedures, such as injections or blood sampling. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the hypnotherapy group, receiving tailored sessions conducted by trained hypnotherapists, or the standard of care group, which will involve conventional pain management techniques. The study will assess primary outcomes, including anxiety levels and pain perception, before, during, and after the procedures using validated scales. Key activities of the project include conducting individualized hypnotherapy sessions, monitoring anxiety and pain levels through structured assessments, and analyzing the data to determine the effectiveness and feasibility of hypnotherapy. Secondary objectives will explore potential long-term benefits and safety concerns associated with hypnotherapy. If successful, this study could significantly enhance pediatric pain management practices, reduce reliance on pharmacological interventions, and improve the overall healthcare experience for children. The findings may also inform broader healthcare policies regarding non-pharmacological pain management strategies in pediatric settings.
Official title: Hypnotherapy for Needle-related Procedural Pain and Anxiety Management in a Pediatric Setting: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
6 Years - 18 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
70
Start Date
2026-03
Completion Date
2029-12
Last Updated
2026-01-20
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Hypnotherapy
The hypnotherapy session will be individualized to the particular child. The nurse performing the hypnotherapy session will ask the child a few basic questions about his/her favorite place or activity. If the child do not have any suggestions the nurse will suggest an age-appropriate activity to daydream about, such as making a snowman for a six year-old or skiing for an adolescent, and then suggest a hypnotic "daydream" about that place or activity. Most inductions for older children (ages approximately 9-15) included a few slow, deep breaths and/or some progressive relaxation, such as muscle relaxation or the suggestion of a "warm, comfortable feeling" flowing up the body from the feet to the head. Younger children, unless they expressed an interest in deep breathing or relaxation, will typically asked simply to imagine themselves arriving at their favorite place and/or beginning their favorite activity.
Locations (1)
Aarhus University Hospital
Aarhus, Denmark