Using hypnosis to help breathing mask tolerance in intensive care

This trial is testing whether hypnosis can help patients feel calmer and more comfortable when doctors place them on non-invasive ventilation—a breathing mask that helps deliver oxygen when the lungs aren't working well enough on their own. The study includes people in intensive care who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), obesity, or both, and who are experiencing severe breathing difficulty. Researchers hope that guided hypnosis by a trained clinician will make it easier for patients to tolerate this lifesaving breathing support.

Many patients struggle with anxiety and discomfort when starting emergency breathing support, which can cause them to reject the treatment or fail to benefit from it. Standard anxiety medications may be unsafe for these patients because of their underlying lung or weight conditions, so researchers are exploring hypnosis as a gentle, non-drug way to help patients stay calm and cooperative during this critical procedure.