Cardio Vascular DiseaseHYPNOECHONCT07512830
Evaluation of the Benefits of Hypnosis During Transoesophageal Echocardiography
A study testing conversational hypnosis in people with Cardio Vascular Disease, run by Fondation Hôpital Saint-Joseph at 1 site in France.
Trial summary
Transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) is a routine cardiology examination that is performed in most cases under local anaesthesia and is recommended for many indications.The objective of our study will be to evaluate the expected beneficial effect of using conversational hypnosis and hypnosis during a… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Cardio Vascular Disease
- What is being tested?
- conversational hypnosis
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 150 participants
- Where
- 1 siteFrance
- Study dates
- 18 Feb 2026to 15 Dec 2028
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Patient aged ≥ 18 years old
- Patient requiring a transoesophageal ultrasound scan under local anaesthetic.
- Patient affiliated to a health insurance scheme
- French-speaking patient
- Patient who has given their free, informed and express verbal consent
Who cannot join
- Patient with a contraindication to transoesophageal ultrasound (significant radiation exposure to the chest, oesophageal pathology with risk of bleeding)
- Patients with known schizophrenia or known psychiatric illness (documented in medical records)
- Patients with known dementia or known cognitive impairment (documented in medical records)
- Patients already included in an interventional research protocol
- Patients under guardianship or curatorship
- Patients deprived of their liberty
- Patients under judicial protection
- Pregnant or breastfeeding patients
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
France1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Hôpital Paris Saint Joseph
Paris, Île-de-France Region, 75014
About this study
Transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) is a routine cardiology examination that is performed in most cases under local anaesthesia and is recommended for many indications.The objective of our study will be to evaluate the expected beneficial effect of using conversational hypnosis and hypnosis during a transoesophageal ultrasound examination performed directly in the examination room by the cardiologist conducting the examination.
Read the detailed description
Transoesophageal echocardiography is a routine cardiology examination that is performed in most cases under local anaesthesia and is recommended for a number of indications: stroke assessment, endocarditis screening, and heart valve evaluation. It involves inserting an ultrasound probe into the oesophagus through the patient's mouth in order to see the heart more closely and from a different angle. It is a useful and necessary examination in certain situations, but it can be uncomfortable for patients despite local anaesthesia. The examination can be performed under general anaesthesia, but this carries a risk of adverse effects (between 5 and 6%) for the patient and requires more extensive care (anaesthetist, prolonged monitoring during recovery).
The objective of our study will be to evaluate the expected beneficial effect of using conversational hypnosis and hypnosis during a transoesophageal ultrasound examination performed directly in the examination room by the cardiologist conducting the examination. The cardiologist will use the unavoidable time required to set up and explain the examination to use conversational hypnosis and will take additional, deliberately shortened time to perform 'light' hypnosis. The effectiveness of the combined use of a conversational hypnosis phase and a hypnosis phase will be compared, in terms of tolerance of the examination and time consumed, to a 'classic' interview conducted by a cardiologist not trained in these two techniques. In both situations, the explanation given to the patient will be complete and adapted to each patient's level of understanding and will be provided before the patient is in a state of hypnosis. If we can show that by using the necessary and unavoidable time to explain the examination to the patient, we can use conversational hypnosis and hypnosis techniques to improve the patient's comfort without excessive loss of time (>15 minutes) or the need for additional staff, this would highlight the value of using these techniques in daily practice and the expected benefits of training healthcare professionals.
- Conditions
- Cardio Vascular Disease
- Being tested
- conversational hypnosis
- Keywords
- stroke, endocarditis, local anaesthetic, Conversational hypnosis
- Medical subject headings
- Stroke, Endocarditis
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
conversational hypnosisOther
Local anaesthesia will be administered by a nurse. A first cardiologist (a doctor trained in hypnosis) will be present to explain the procedure to the patient using conversational hypnosis. Once all the information has been provided and understood, he will use hypnosis to attempt to induce a trance (see section 1.4 Procedure). A second cardiologist (operator) will perform the examination. As in the control group, the cardiologist trained in hypnosis will assist the operating cardiologist during the examination and may perform the examination himself if the first operator fails.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| hypnosis' experimental group | Experimental | For the 'hypnosis' experimental group, the examination will be carried out in the usual room. Local anaesthesia will be administered by a nurse. A first cardiologist (a doctor trained in hypnosis) will be present to explain the procedure to the patient using conversational hypnosis. Once all the information has been provided and understood, he will use hypnosis to attempt to induce a trance (see section 1.4, procedure performed). A second cardiologist (operator) will perform the examination. As in the control group, the cardiologist trained in hypnosis will assist the operating cardiologist during the examination and may perform the examination himself if the first operator fails. Receives: Other: conversational hypnosis |
| control group | No intervention | For the control group, the examination will be performed according to standard practice. A nurse will administer local anaesthesia to the throat, then a first cardiologist (operator) will inform the patient about the examination procedure and perform the examination. A second cardiologist will assist the first operator and may perform the examination themselves if the first operator is unsuccessful after three attempts. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
the degree of comfort felt during the procedure, measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS) (from 0 to 10) immediately after the examination
The main evaluation criterion is the degree of comfort felt during the operation, measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS) (from 0 to 10) immediately after the examination. The question asked will be 'During the procedure, how comfortable were you?'
Measured: 1 day
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted6 Apr 2026
- Study start18 Feb 2026
- Primary completion15 Oct 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion15 Dec 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Cardio Vascular DiseaseStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- In the 'hypnosis' experimental group, patients will receive instructions explaining the examination using conversational hypnosis and hypnosis techniques. In this study, we will investigate whether the use of conversational hypnosis and hypnosis is beneficial and improves patient comfort during this examination.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 150 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Fondation Hôpital Saint-Joseph
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Yoann MOEUF, medical doctor, Principal investigator, Hospital Paris saint Joseph
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07512830
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HYPNOECHO
- Acronym
- HYPNOECHO
- Status last verified
- Aug 2025
- First submitted
- 27 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 6 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 6 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Evaluation of the Benefits of Hypnosis During Transoesophageal Echocardiography
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07512830
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HYPNOECHO / HYPNOECHO
- Conditions
- Cardio Vascular Disease
- Keywords
- stroke, endocarditis, local anaesthetic, Conversational hypnosis
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 150 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Fondation Hôpital Saint-JosephUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 18 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Oct 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 15 Dec 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 6 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) is a routine cardiology examination that is performed in most cases under local anaesthesia and is recommended for many indications.The objective of our study will be to evaluate the expected beneficial effect of using conversational hypnosis and hypnosis during a transoesophageal ultrasound examination performed directly in the examination room by the cardiologist conducting the examination.
Detailed description
Transoesophageal echocardiography is a routine cardiology examination that is performed in most cases under local anaesthesia and is recommended for a number of indications: stroke assessment, endocarditis screening, and heart valve evaluation. It involves inserting an ultrasound probe into the oesophagus through the patient's mouth in order to see the heart more closely and from a different angle. It is a useful and necessary examination in certain situations, but it can be uncomfortable for patients despite local anaesthesia. The examination can be performed under general anaesthesia, but this carries a risk of adverse effects (between 5 and 6%) for the patient and requires more extensive care (anaesthetist, prolonged monitoring during recovery).
The objective of our study will be to evaluate the expected beneficial effect of using conversational hypnosis and hypnosis during a transoesophageal ultrasound examination performed directly in the examination room by the cardiologist conducting the examination. The cardiologist will use the unavoidable time required to set up and explain the examination to use conversational hypnosis and will take additional, deliberately shortened time to perform 'light' hypnosis. The effectiveness of the combined use of a conversational hypnosis phase and a hypnosis phase will be compared, in terms of tolerance of the examination and time consumed, to a 'classic' interview conducted by a cardiologist not trained in these two techniques. In both situations, the explanation given to the patient will be complete and adapted to each patient's level of understanding and will be provided before the patient is in a state of hypnosis. If we can show that by using the necessary and unavoidable time to explain the examination to the patient, we can use conversational hypnosis and hypnosis techniques to improve the patient's comfort without excessive loss of time (>15 minutes) or the need for additional staff, this would highlight the value of using these techniques in daily practice and the expected benefits of training healthcare professionals.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- In the 'hypnosis' experimental group, patients will receive instructions explaining the examination using conversational hypnosis and hypnosis techniques. In this study, we will investigate whether the use of conversational hypnosis and hypnosis is beneficial and improves patient comfort during this examination.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| hypnosis' experimental group | Experimental | Other: conversational hypnosisFor the 'hypnosis' experimental group, the examination will be carried out in the usual room. Local anaesthesia will be administered by a nurse. A first cardiologist (a doctor trained in hypnosis) will be present to explain the procedure to the patient using conversational hypnosis. Once all the information has been provided and understood, he will use hypnosis to attempt to induce a trance (see section 1.4, procedure performed). A second cardiologist (operator) will perform the examination. As in the control group, the cardiologist trained in hypnosis will assist the operating cardiologist during the examination and may perform the examination himself if the first operator fails. |
| control group | No intervention | –For the control group, the examination will be performed according to standard practice. A nurse will administer local anaesthesia to the throat, then a first cardiologist (operator) will inform the patient about the examination procedure and perform the examination. A second cardiologist will assist the first operator and may perform the examination themselves if the first operator is unsuccessful after three attempts. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Patient aged ≥ 18 years old
- Patient requiring a transoesophageal ultrasound scan under local anaesthetic.
- Patient affiliated to a health insurance scheme
- French-speaking patient
- Patient who has given their free, informed and express verbal consent
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Patient with a contraindication to transoesophageal ultrasound (significant radiation exposure to the chest, oesophageal pathology with risk of bleeding)
- Patients with known schizophrenia or known psychiatric illness (documented in medical records)
- Patients with known dementia or known cognitive impairment (documented in medical records)
- Patients already included in an interventional research protocol
- Patients under guardianship or curatorship
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| conversational hypnosisLocal anaesthesia will be administered by a nurse. A first cardiologist (a doctor trained in hypnosis) will be present to explain the procedure to the patient using conversational hypnosis. Once all the information has been provided and understood, he will use hypnosis to attempt to induce a trance (see section 1.4 Procedure). A second cardiologist (operator) will perform the examination. As in the control group, the cardiologist trained in hypnosis will assist the operating cardiologist during the examination and may perform the examination himself if the first operator fails. | Other | hypnosis' experimental group |
Primary outcome
the degree of comfort felt during the procedure, measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS) (from 0 to 10) immediately after the examination
Time frame: 1 day
The main evaluation criterion is the degree of comfort felt during the operation, measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS) (from 0 to 10) immediately after the examination. The question asked will be 'During the procedure, how comfortable were you?'
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 6 Apr 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Yoann MOEUF, medical doctor principal investigator
Hospital Paris saint Joseph
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing conversational hypnosis in people with Cardio Vascular Disease, run by Fondation Hôpital Saint-Joseph at 1 site in France.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 6 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in France. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Yoann MOEUF, medical doctor (+33 01-44-12-62-44, ymoeuf@ghpsj.fr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
the degree of comfort felt during the procedure, measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS) (from 0 to 10) immediately after the examination (time frame: 1 day). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 6 Apr 2026.