Online randomised e-hypnotherapy for chronic pelvic pain study (REST): comparing e-hypnotherapy with relaxation and waitlist to improve pain, cost-effectiveness and biopsychosocial outcomes
Date
2025
Authors
Evans, S.
Naude, C.
Coitinho Biurra, Y.
Bowring, J.
Knowles, S.
Brooks, T.
Skvarc, D.
Esterman, A.
Fuller Tyszkiewicz, M.
Klas, A.
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Journal article
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BMJ Open, 2025; 15(11):1-10
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Abstract
Background Chronic pelvic pain, defined as persistent pain in the structures of the pelvis, is a condition that significantly impacts the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of up to one-third of people worldwide, with substantial associated costs to both the individual and healthcare system/s. The present trial aims to establish the efficacy of e-hypnotherapy over relaxation and waitlist controls on pain, HRQoL and biopsychosocial outcomes, and evaluate cost-effectiveness.Methods A parallel-group, investigator-blinded, randomised controlled trial will be conducted. Eligible participants will be randomly allocated to either a 7-week online personalised e-hypnotherapy programme (n=44), a 7-week online personalised relaxation control (n=44) or waitlist control (n=44). The primary outcome will be self-reported pain level, and secondary outcomes will include psychological distress, QoL, pain catastrophising, self-efficacy, central sensitisation, somatic symptoms, fatigue and sleep. Cost-effectiveness will also be examined. Longitudinal qualitative interviews will be conducted with participants in the e-hypnotherapy (n=20) and relaxation (n=20) groups to understand meaningful change and barriers/facilitators for ongoing use.Ethics and dissemination This protocol has received ethics approval in Australia from the Deakin University Research Ethics Committee (DUREC ref. 2024-080). Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international conferences related to chronic pelvic pain and mind-body interventions.Trial registration number Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12623000368639p.
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Copyright 2025 Author(s). This is an open access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited, appropriate credit is given, any changes made indicated, and the use is non-commercial. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)