Randomized e-Hypnotherapy for Chronic Pelvic Pain Study (REST)

People diagnosed with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) will be randomly allocated (1:1:1) to an e-hypnotherapy (intervention), relaxation (control group 1/active control) or waitlist (control group 2) group for 7 weeks. The entirety of the study will be conducted virtually. The trial will be delivered via a dedicated website (Platform O). e-Hypnotherapy - intervention: Participants randomized to e-hypnotherapy will have access to a 7-week online intervention which will include one pain education session and seven self-directed e-hypnotherapy modules. The e-hypnotherapy program will include stages of hypnotic induction, deepening, suggestion, and reorientation techniques. Participants will be able to ‘choose their own adventure’ and be provided with a range of hypnotic induction, deepening, suggestion, and reorientation techniques, including direct and indirect styles, visual and non-visual options, and mindfulness-based elements. They will also be able to preference listening to a male or female voice. Relaxation - control group 1/active control: Participants randomized to relaxation will have access to a 7-week online intervention which includes one pain education session and seven self-directed relaxation modules, specifically designed to address a wide number of CPP elements. The relaxation intervention has been designed as an active control to allow masking with the format, delivery, and follow-up aiming to mimic the intervention group. The relaxation program will include stages of non-hypnotic induction, relaxation, and reorientation techniques. Like in the hypnosis program, participants will be able to ‘choose their own adventure’ by selecting their choice of non-hypnotic induction and reorientation audio recordings, as well as preference listening to a male or female voice. The relaxation materials will be designed symmetrically to the intervention, meaning they address the same overarching and specific themes and use the same tools and techniques where non-hypnotic versions are possible. Participation and adherence requirements and strategies to maximize adherence will mirror those in the intervention. Participants will be asked to complete one module (approximately 40 minutes) per week for 7 weeks; however, they will have access to all modules throughout the 7 weeks. Adherence to the e-hypnotherapy program will be monitored weekly with participation in 80% of the program’s content to be considered adequate adherence. Treatment fidelity problems are not anticipated as the interventions will be pre-recorded. Participants will be contacted to provide feedback if they do not engage or if they choose to withdraw from the study. Module 1 (pain education) will be delivered via a short video. Modules 2-8 will be delivered via audio recording.