An Evaluation of Brief Online Hypnosis for Migraine and Tension-type Headaches

Canterbury Christ Church University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Tension-Type Headache; Migraine

Treatments: Other: Usual care; Behavioral: Hypnosis.

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04523311

PaulDavies2020

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to conduct an initial evaluation of whether a single, online, group-based session of hypnosis followed by self-hypnosis can decrease symptoms of migraine and tension-type headaches as well as improve quality of life and perceived self-efficacy over the condition.

Full description

This study is a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing a single, online, group-based session of hypnosis followed by self-hypnosis for people with migraines or tension-type headaches with a wait-list control. A battery of self-report measures and a 2-week headache diary will be administered online at baseline (weeks 0 and 1), post-intervention (weeks 7 and 8) and at follow-up (weeks 11 and 12).

Enrollment: 35 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 80 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Self-reported diagnosis of migraine or tension-type headaches from a General Practitioner (i.e. family physician) and/or specialist physician.
• Score above the cut-off for either migraine or tension-type headache on the Headache Screening Questionnaire.
• Have experienced at least one headache every two weeks over the last 3 months.
• Otherwise healthy physically and mentally.
• Able to understand written and spoken English.
• Have the IT equipment necessary to access Zoom videoconferencing and the Qualtrics survey system.

Exclusion criteria

• Substantial medical or psychiatric co-morbidities including diagnoses of epilepsy, psychosis or personality disorder, and/or taking psychiatric medication.
• A diagnosis of medication overuse headache.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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35 participants in 2 patient groups

Hypnosis + usual care

Experimental group

Description:

An online, group-based, single session hypnosis workshop followed by 2 weeks of self hypnosis. Participants will continue with whatever usual care they receive/undertake.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Hypnosis.

Other: Usual care

Waitlist control + usual care

Other group

Description:

The control group will receive no intervention beyond whatever usual care they receive/undertake. After the study is complete, they will be offered the option of participating in the hypnosis intervention.

Treatment:

Other: Usual care