Hypnosis for the management of COPD-related anxiety and dyspnoea in pulmonary rehabilitation: rationale and design for a cluster-randomised, active-control trial (HYPNOBPCO_2).

Complementary psychological care is recommended for COPD, as it significantly reduces anxiety and boosts the pulmonary rehabilitation efficacy. In a precedent trial (HYPNOBPCO_1, ISRCTN10029862), administering a single hypnosis session was linked to reduced anxiety and improved breathing mechanics in intermediate and advanced COPD patients. However, whether hypnosis could improve self-management of anxiety and dyspnoea in COPD during pulmonary rehabilitation is yet to be investigated.

Hypnosis for the Management of Anxiety and Dyspnea in COPD: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Crossover Trial.

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are prone to dyspnea, increased respiratory rate and other anxiety-inducing symptoms. Hypnosis constitutes a complementary procedure capable of improving subjective feelings of anxiety.

Objective: Assessing the efficacy of a 15-minute hypnosis intervention for immediate improvement of anxiety in severe COPD patients.