Paid study seeks volunteers to determine if self-hypnosis can reduce chronic SCI-related pain
Chronic pain affects many people with spinal cord injury (SCI) and can be musculoskeletal, neuropathic, or associated with spasms. Medications help but rarely cure chronic pain. Now, new research suggests that training in self-hypnosis plus cognitive therapy (HCT) can reduce chronic SCI-related pain. Self-hypnosis is a skill people can learn to enter a state of relaxed alertness and openness to suggestion. Cognitive therapy involves changing how the brain processes pain by changing thoughts about pain.
A study seeks to find out if people can learn HCT from a therapist via telephone calls and if they experience significant pain relief. If telephone-based HCT works, more people with SCI could benefit from this therapy. This is a research study, so half of the participants will be randomly assigned to HCT and half to usual care. ALL participants will be asked to complete outcome assessments. No in-person visits are needed. Participants earn up to $60 for completing assessments.
What does the study involve?
Everyone completes a screening and baseline assessment.
Everyone will be randomly assigned to HCT or Usual Care (UC).
People in HCT will get six 60-minute sessions plus in-between session practice for six weeks.
People in UC will continue with their own pain control methods for six weeks.
Everyone completes two outcome assessments (at 6 weeks and 12 weeks)
You may be eligible for this study if you:
1) are at least 18 years old,
2) have been diagnosed and treated for SCI,
3) have chronic pain related to your SCI,
4) are able to read, speak, and understand English; and
5) have access to a phone
You can learn more about this study HERE. You may also phone (206) 221-5688 or via e-mail at telepop@uw.edu