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Imagine a beautiful, peaceful place – a quiet stream, perhaps, where the water flows gently over smooth stones. Sunlight dances on the surface, sparkling like liquid gold and the sound of the water is soft, rhythmic, soothing. Perhaps you imagine the water washing over you, soothing and cool… or the breeze brushing against your skin, light and easy. Any tension dissolves, leaving only comfort in its place.
It’s after dark, two in the morning and people are taking part in a university study that aims to help treat their chronic pelvic pain.
No, they’re not at an emergency clinic, it’s REST: the Randomized e-hypnotherapy for Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome Trial being run by the Mind-Body Research in Health Lab at Deakin University’s SEED Centre for Lifespan Research.
With a team led by Associate Professor Subhadra Evans and trial manager Yao Coitinho Biurra, REST aims to give people the ability to address their chronic pelvic pain through tailored, on-demand pre-recorded hypnotherapy – often after dark.
‘We know that hypnosis can be helpful in managing pain and related distress, but access to affordable treatment can be challenging’, says Associate Professor Evans.
We brought together a panel of Australian hypnotherapy experts to develop this world-first program. We have created REST to alleviate pelvic pain in a way that allows users to create their own adventure and tailor their experience to what they find helpful.
Associate Professor Subhadra Evans, REST Principal Investigator
The impacts of chronic pelvic pain syndrome
Affecting close to a fifth of all Australians, Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP) Syndrome impacts people across the gender spectrum and involves intermittent or constant pain between the hips and naval area.
The CPP category includes several costly, common and challenging conditions like endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
The economic burden of endometriosis and persistent pelvic pain in Australia is currently estimated at between $7.4 billion and $9.7 billion annually.
Depending on individual severity, the pain can be highly disabling and drastically impact the mental health, sexual function and quality of life of those affected.
Existing medical and surgical treatment for CPP includes hormonal therapies, pain medications, physiotherapy and even laparoscopic, or keyhole, surgery. Psychological approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based interventions continue to be explored, but access can be limited and outcomes variable.
Hypnotherapy, although supported by promising evidence, is currently underutilised and often difficult for patients to access within standard healthcare settings.
REST aims to bridge this gap and explore the untapped potential of e-hypnotherapy, seeking to emulate a one-on-one therapy session, online – anywhere, anytime (even after dark).
Delivering on-demand treatment
REST aims to bridge this gap and explore the untapped potential of e-hypnotherapy, seeking to emulate a one-on-one therapy session, online – anywhere, anytime (even after dark).
Over a twelve-month period, this study is examining whether hypnotherapy improves pain, mental health and quality of life as compared to relaxation alone and a waitlist group (a control group who won’t receive treatment until after the initial active treatment group).
Trial participants take part in a seven-week self-paced program, including audio hypnotherapy sessions and a pain education video. Sessions are delivered through pre-recorded audio that gives participants access to over 500 uniquely tailored sessions.
‘The choose-your-own-adventure design is a breakthrough in digital therapeutics,’ says Yao Coitinho Biurra.
‘It redefines what pre-recorded treatment can be. Instead of a fixed, one-size-fits-all path, participants are empowered to shape their own healing journey – choosing the voice, tone, content, and style that best supports them.
This level of personalisation brings a sense of agency and responsiveness that’s often missing in conventional care and it’s especially powerful for people living with chronic pain who feel sidelined or standardised by the system.
Yao Coitinho Biurra, REST Trial Manager
Responsive healthcare for changing times
By running this trial, the REST team are taking research and impactful treatment out of the lab and delivering it straight into peoples’ headphones and homes, no matter where they are or what time of day.
Healthcare can be difficult to access for many, particularly those in regional areas, and accessible treatments like this are integral in meeting the needs of the community in a sustainable way.
‘Participants are appreciating how the hypnosis experience can be tailored to their individual preferences,’ says Associate Professor Evans.
‘For people living with persistent pelvic pain – who often face challenging healthcare journeys – offering choice in treatment is essential. Being able to personalise their therapy helps participants build confidence and fosters a sense of empowerment.’
As part of the trial, the Deakin research team is partnering with Endo Help, Endozone, Chronic Pain Australia, Painaustralia, Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia and Western Alliance.
If the REST results reveal positive results, the treatment could be scaled to work with even more healthcare providers, pain clinics and community organisations to integrate e-hypnotherapy into standard care pathways.
Republished under a Creative Commons 4.0 license. Read the original article here.