Mindfulness Meditation Versus Clinical Hypnosis for Acute, Experimental Pain

The University of Queensland

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 2

Conditions: Clinical Hypnosis; Mindfulness Meditation

Treatments: Behavioral: Mindfulness meditation; Behavioral: Clinical hypnosis

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04786405

#2019000347

Details and patient eligibility

About

This trial aims to determine the effects and mechanisms (mediators and moderators) of brief training in mindfulness meditation versus clinical hypnosis on acute, experimental pain.

Full description

Participants (N=200 with complete data) will be healthy undergraduate students or community-based individuals. An experimental, randomised trial will be implemented, with participants randomly assigned to either five daily, 20-minute mindfulness meditation sessions or clinical hypnosis sessions. Repeated measures and experimental pain manipulation will be implemented. Aim 1 is to examine the effects of these two treatments on experimental pain outcomes. Aim 2 is to examine the moderators of these effects. Aim 3 is to determine the mediators underlying improved experimental pain outcomes. Results will refine theory and will inform the future streamlining of treatments to target those mechanisms shown to be of most critical importance.

Enrollment: 105 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• 18 years of age or older;
• Able to read, speak and understand English.

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnancy, heart or vascular disease, Raynaud's disease, sickle cell disease, seizure disorder, high blood pressure, or diabetes;
• Experience of recurrent fainting spells;
• Report of a chronic pain condition;
• Use of alcohol and/or pain medication in the last 24-hours;
• Currently receiving psychiatric care;
• Problems with allergic skin reactions or excessive bruising;
• Previous participation in a cold pressor experiment.
• All participants will be asked to consume a fruit box drink prior to the cold pressor to prevent vasovagal reactions.

These exclusion criteria are standard when using a cold pressor task in a healthy undergraduate population and ensure safe procedures to mitigate any potential risks.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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105 participants in 2 patient groups

Mindfulness Meditation

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this arm will complete five, 20-minute mindfulness meditation sessions delivered over consecutive days.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Mindfulness meditation

Clinical Hypnosis

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants in this arm will complete five, 20-minute clinical hypnosis sessions delivered over consecutive days.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Clinical hypnosis