Randomized E-hypnotherapy for Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome Trial (REST)

Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome and Hypnotherapy

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome impacts up to 20% of Australians. It is associated with poor quality of life and psychological health, but the effective treatment is lacking. Hypnotherapy is known to improve mental health and pain. Our pilot studies showed that hypnotherapy might help to treat depression, anxiety and pelvic pain. This study will examine whether hypnotherapy improves pain, mental health, and quality of life as compared to relaxation alone and a waitlist group over 12 months

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) incorporates several costly, common and challenging conditions including endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), impacting 10-20% of Australians and costing up to $22 billion annually. Effective treatment is lacking, and CPPS is associated with poor quality of life, and psychological and sexual ill health.

Hypnotherapy is an effective psychological treatment for mental health and pain. It differs from relaxation, by using focused attention and suggestions for cognitive and physical behaviour change. Hypnotherapy modulates neural processes associated with pain intensity and unpleasantness, supporting its use for CPPS where pain and distress are commonly reported. The trial will compare hypnotherapy to relaxation and a waitlist group to understand the effectiveness of eHypnotherapy to improve pain, mental health, and quality of life.