An interventional study of Osteopathy and Osteopathy and hypnosis in Cancer, sponsored by Institut Rafael. Recruiting at 1 site in France. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-06.
Sponsored by Institut Rafael · Not applicable, Interventional, and Supportive care
Osteopathy is recognized as a beneficial complementary approach for cancer patients. By addressing tissue mobility, circulation, and muscle tension, it helps improve physical comfort, reduce musculoskeletal pain, and foster better functional recovery. Several studies have shown that osteopathy can help reduce pain intensity and improve the quality of life for patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Combining hypnosis with osteopathy could thus optimize treatment outcomes by integrating a holistic approach that addresses both physical and psychological needs. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of combined osteopathy and hypnosis treatment compared to osteopathic treatment alone in cancer patients, particularly regarding pain with a strong emotional component.
While increasingly effective, cancer treatments are often accompanied by severe side effects, including chronic pain, fatigue, and reduced quality of life. Pain has often a strong emotional component, influenced by anxiety, stress, or the psychological distress inherent in the treatment journey.
Osteopathy is recognized as a beneficial complementary approach for cancer patients. By addressing tissue mobility, circulation, and muscle tension, it helps improve physical comfort, reduce musculoskeletal pain, and foster better functional recovery. Several studies have shown that osteopathy can help reduce pain intensity and improve the quality of life for patients undergoing cancer treatment.
However, pain with a strong emotional component may require a more holistic approach; osteopathy offers gradual benefits that can be optimized by combining it with other complementary therapies, such as hypnosis.
As a complementary therapy, hypnosis is increasingly used for pain and stress management in oncology. It works by modulating pain perception and reducing anxiety, thereby helping patients cope better with their symptoms.
Combining hypnosis with osteopathy could thus optimize treatment outcomes by integrating a holistic approach that addresses both physical and psychological needs. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of combined osteopathy and hypnosis treatment compared to osteopathic treatment alone in cancer patients, particularly regarding pain with a strong emotional component. This combined approach could represent a significant step forward in improving the well-being of oncology patients by offering care that is better suited to the multidimensional nature of pain.
This research combining osteopathy and hypnosis could help improve symptoms and quality of life of cancer patients, particularly those suffering from chronic pain, anxiety, fatigue, sleep disturbances, or impaired overall well-being.
The hypothesis is based on available data suggesting that the potential value of osteopathy in managing pain and functional disorders, and the patient's bodily experience and the value of hypnosis in managing anxiety and certain symptoms associated with cancer or its treatments.
Combining these two interventions could allow for a complementary approach addressing the physical, emotional, and cognitive dimensions of the patient's experience. Osteopathy could promote improved mobility, reduced tension, and better body awareness, while hypnosis could help modulate pain perception, reduce anxiety, and strengthen the patient's coping mechanisms regarding the disease and treatments.
Consequently, patients receiving this combined care are expected to show improvements in certain quality-of-life parameters, a reduction in pain intensity or impact, decreased stress or anxiety, and enhanced overall well-being. This study will explore these effects in a population of cancer patients while documenting the feasibility, acceptability, and perceived clinical value of this integrative intervention.
9,365 studies on the registry are indexed under Neoplasms; 2,489 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 80 is above the median of 50 across 7,253 interventional studies indexed under Neoplasms.
Browse Neoplasms studies →Institut Rafael is the lead sponsor of 6 studies on the registry; 2 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Patients assigned to this group will benefit from osteopathy sessions.
Behavioral: Osteopathy
Patients assigned to this group will benefit from supportive care combining osteopathy and hypnosis.
Behavioral: Osteopathy and hypnosis
An osteopathy session includes a health history chat, physical assessment, hands-on treatment, and aftercare advice.
Patients in the experimental group will undergo a combined treatment program integrating osteopathy (physical assessment, hands-on treatment) and hypnosis sessions (combined to deep relaxation and focused concentration) delivered synergistically by practitioners trained in both therapies.
Pain and quality of life
Change in pain and functional quality of life assessed between baseline (Day 0) and 6 weeks using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI)
Time frame: 6 weeks
Emotional distress variation
Change in emotional distress assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 1 month using the K10 psychological distress questionnaire (Kessler).
Time frame: 6 weeks
Patient's experience
Semi-structured qualitative questionnaire on the experience and perception of the combined treatment, administered one month after the final session
Time frame: 1 month after final intervention
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Institut Rafael