A Telemedicine Strategy for Hypnosis in the Management of Chronic Neuropathic Pain: A Randomized Exploratory Study
Jennie Sourzac, Emma Salanne, Florence Francis-Oliviero, Christine Germain, F. Sztark, Marie Floccia, François Tison
International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis October 28, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/00207144.2026.2733271 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized exploratory feasibility study Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 30 |
| Population | Patients with chronic neuropathic pain |
| Intervention | Hypnosis |
| Duration | Five sessions (three of five delivered via telemedicine in the intervention group) |
| Key points | The partly telemedicine hypnosis program was feasible, with 80% of participants completing it. Pain intensity decreased by a mean of 2.7 points (±2.0) in the telemedicine group versus 2.2 points (±1.8) in the in-person group, a nonsignificant between-group difference of 0.5 points (95% CI -1.1 to 2.0). The authors describe these efficacy results as preliminary. |
Abstract
Hypnosis is recommended for the management of chronic neuropathic pain, but access to this intervention remains limited due to travel distances and difficulties. This single-center, prospective, randomized exploratory study evaluated the feasibility of a hypnosis program carried out partly via telemedicine, compared with a full face-to-face program. A total of 30 eligible patients were randomized into a group of 15 patients who received three of five sessions via telemedicine and a control group of 15 patients who received all sessions in person. Primary outcomes were feasibility of the telemedicine-based hypnosis, secondary outcomes included pain score, anxiety and depressive symptoms, frequency of self-hypnosis practice, and qualitative subjective experience. Most patients (80%) completed the telemedicine program, suggesting a good feasibility. Preliminary efficacy results indicated a mean reduction of pain intensity of 2.7 (±2.0) points in the telemedicine group compared with 2.2 (±1.8) in the control group with an average difference of 0.5, 95% CI [-1.1; 2.0]. Our exploratory study suggests that the telemedicine hypnosis program is feasible for managing neuropathic pain.