Clinical Hypnosis for FND_v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Mixed-Methods Study of Clinical Hypnosis in the Management of Functional Neurological Disorders: Outcomes and Acceptability
IRAS ID
361289
Contact name
Daniela Di Basilio
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 29 days
Research summary
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) can cause symptoms such as seizures, movement problems, and sensory changes, even when brain scans look normal. This project explores whether a brief course of clinical hypnosis can help, and how acceptable and usable it feels to people with FND.
Adults receiving care in the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals FND service will be invited to take part. Participants will complete short online surveys at three times: before hypnotherapy begins, after the final session, and about four weeks later. The surveys ask about mood, physical symptoms, body awareness, and everyday functioning.
The treatment involves up to six weekly, 45–60 minute, in-clinic hypnotherapy sessions delivered by a trained clinician. Sessions use relaxation, focused attention, tailored suggestions linked to a person’s symptoms, and simple self-hypnosis practice for use between sessions.
A subset of participants who consent are invited to a 30–60 minute interview by phone or video call to share their experiences with hypnotherapy and views on what helped, what was difficult, and how access could be improved.
Findings from the surveys and interviews will indicate whether hypnotherapy is useful to reduce symptoms of FND and improve mental and physical well-being, and how it is experienced. Insights will guide future care and research on hypnosis-based support for people with FND and will be shared through academic publications, reports and conference presentations.
REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/PR/0366
Date of REC Opinion
16 Apr 2026
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion