Evaluating Hypnosis to Improve Breathlessness Control in Adults with Persistent Dyspnea from Cancer, COPD, ILD, or Heart Failure

What this Trial Is About

Persistent dyspnea is a challenging symptom experienced by patients with conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD, interstitial lung disease ILD, chronic heart failure CHF, and metastatic cancer. This symptom often comes with anxiety, depression, and fatigue, significantly lowering quality of life. Currently, only opiates are recommended for persistent dyspnea, prompting research into new treatment options such as hypnosis to help patients better manage breathlessness. Researchers are evaluating the impact of three individual 15-minute hypnosis sessions, spaced two weeks apart, on breathlessness mastery in patients with persistent dyspnea. Hypnosis sessions are guided by trained hypnotherapists using a standardized protocol. The study compares this intervention to usual care without hypnosis to measure changes in breathlessness management. Participants will complete several questionnaires assessing breathlessness, anxiety, depression, and quality of life at enrollment, after the last hypnosis session, and at one-month follow-up. Researchers will monitor breathlessness mastery using the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire CRQ mastery subscale, along with other outcomes like worst breathlessness, dyspnea symptoms, and intervention acceptability. The study lasts approximately six weeks, with follow-up assessments to evaluate lasting effects.

Hypnosis on Breathlessness Mastery in Patients With Persistent Dyspnea