PMID: 

Holist Nurs Pract. 2015 Jan-Feb;29(1):13-21. PMID: 25470476

Abstract Title: 

Effectiveness of guided imagery relaxation on levels of pain and depression in patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

Abstract: 

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of guided imagery as a nursing intervention for pain management and depression in patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia.BACKGROUND: Many studies support the use of guided imagery to improve patient outcomes. Guided imagery has been used for different purposes and it is thought to be an effective intervention for people suffering from nonmalignant pain.DESIGN: A 2-group quasi-experimental study was conducted during 8 weeks by the University of Nursing in Almeria (Spain).METHODS: Patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia aged 18 to 70 years (n = 60) were randomly assigned to a guided imagery group (n = 30) or a control group (n = 30). The outcomes measures were scores for pain with the McGill Pain Questionnaire long form (MPQ-LF) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and depression with the Beck Depression Inventory and the VAS for depression. The effects were examined at baseline, postintervention (4th week), and at the end of the study (8th week).RESULTS: Treatment efficacy was analyzed by using a t test for paired samples. Temporal changes in the scores were examined by using a 2-way repeated-measures analysis of variance. The treatment group reported statistically significantly lower levels of pain (P

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PMID: 

J Parkinsons Dis. 2014 ;4(3):431-6. PMID: 24685702

Abstract Title: 

Relaxation guided imagery reduces motor fluctuations in Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Motor fluctuations in Parkinson's disease (PD) cause major disabling symptoms.OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the efficacy of relaxation guided imagery in PD patients with motor fluctuation.METHODS: In a prospective pilot, case cohort, PD patients underwent (i) a relaxation session with relaxation guided imagery, and (ii) a control session of relaxing music. Three-day diaries were completed at baseline and after each intervention. Subsequently, patients received discs for home listening-a relaxation guided imagery disc and a relaxing music disc. After three months the patients were interviewed by phone.RESULTS: Twenty one PD patients participated and 19 completed this study. There was a significant increase in the percent of"on"time after listening to the relaxation guided imagery disc as compared with baseline (from 47.7% to 62.8%, 95% CI 5.26-25.03, p = 0.005). Relaxing music caused no significant change in percent of"on"time from baseline (from 47.7% to 53.0%, p = 0.161). Although all sessions were performed in"on"state, there was a significant decrease in UPDRS motor subscores after each of the two sessions as compared with the UPDRS score before the session (relaxation guided imagery mean reduction -3.81 p = 0.0002 and after relaxing music mean reduction -1.95, p = 0.001), significantly more so after the relaxation guided imagery (p = 0.020). After 3 months listening to the relaxation guided imagery disc increased"on"time from baseline by 12.6% (95% CI 3.19-28.39, p = 0.111) but this did not reach statistical significance.CONCLUSION: In this pilot study we showed that relaxation guided imagery is a promising treatment for PD.

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PMID: 

Pain Manag Nurs. 2015 Oct ;16(5):792-803. Epub 2015 Jul 11. PMID: 26174438

Abstract Title: 

Guided Imagery for Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Abstract: 

Many individuals suffering from arthritis and other rheumatic diseases (AORD) supplement pharmacologic treatments with psychosocial interventions. One promising approach, guided imagery, has been reported to have positive results in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and is a highly scalable treatment for those with AORD. The main purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of RCTs that have examined the effects of guided imagery on pain, function, and other outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and quality of life in adults with AORD. Ten electronic bibliographic databases were searched for reports of RCTs published between 1960 and 2013. Selection criteria included adults with AORD who participated in RCTs that used guided imagery as a partial or sole intervention strategy. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Instrument. Results were synthesized qualitatively. Seven studies representing 306 enrolled and 287 participants who completed the interventions met inclusion criteria. The average age of the participants was 62.9 years (standard deviation = 12.2). All interventions used guided imagery scripts that were delivered via audio technology. The interventions ranged from a one-time exposure to 16 weeks in duration. Risk of bias was low or unclear in all but one study. All studies reported statistically significant improvements in the observed outcomes. Guided imagery appears to be beneficial for adults with AORD. Future theory-based studies with cost-benefit analyses are warranted.

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PMID: 

J Holist Nurs. 2017 Dec ;35(4):342-351. Epub 2016 Oct 23. PMID: 30208778

Abstract Title: 

Guided Imagery for Pain Management in Postoperative Orthopedic Patients: An Integrative Literature Review.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Pain following orthopedic surgery can be intense due to the nature of the surgical procedure. Pain is a multilevel phenomenon that includes physiological and psychosocial components. Interventions that address body, mind, and spirit are needed to provide holistic management of pain. Guided imagery is a mind-body intervention that can address all aspects of the patient's pain experience.PURPOSE: This integrative review, informed by Watson's theory of human caring, identifies evidence that either supports or refutes the use of guided imagery as a supplement to pharmaceutical pain management for postoperative orthopedic patients.METHOD: An integrative literature search was conducted. Twenty-two studies were identified as potentially relevant to this study. Nine of the articles met all inclusion criteria and were included in this study.RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Based on the evidence reviewed, it is recommended that guided imagery be used as an adjunct for pain management in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. However, additional research in this area is needed. Future research: Two topics for further research were identified. The first is a need to identify an optimal frequency of use of guided imagery. The second is to identify how to ensure patients are using the intervention as recommended.

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PMID: 

Rev Lat Am Enfermagem. 2018 Nov 29 ;26:e3101. Epub 2018 Nov 29. PMID: 30517586

Abstract Title: 

Guided imagery relaxation therapy on preoperative anxiety: a randomized clinical trial.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the effect of relaxation therapy with guided imagery on state anxiety and cortisol in the immediate preoperative period in patients submitted to bariatric surgery by videolaparoscopy.METHOD: a randomized, triple-blind clinical trial in a large teaching hospital in the interior of Minas Gerais. Twenty-four patients who would undergo video-laparoscopic bariatric surgery were randomly allocated in two groups, namely 12 in the control group and 12 in the experimental group. State anxiety was assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and blood cortisol levels were measured before and after the intervention or standard care. Descriptive analyzes were used for the quantitative variables and Student's t-test for independent samples, in the analysis of the differences between the state anxiety scores and cortisol levels.RESULTS: the experimental group presented a statistically significant reduction of the state anxiety scores (p = 0.005) as well as of cortisol levels (p

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PMID: 

Eur J Pediatr. 2019 Jun ;178(6):913-921. Epub 2019 Apr 3. PMID: 30944985

Abstract Title: 

Relaxation-guided imagery reduces perioperative anxiety and pain in children: a randomized study.

Abstract: 

Several studies have shown the efficacy of psychological interventions in reducing preoperative anxiety in children undergoing surgery. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of a specific non-pharmacological technique, the relaxation-guided imagery, in reducing both preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain in a sample of 60 children (6-12 years old) undergoing minor surgery who were randomly assigned to the experimental group (N = 30) or the control group (N = 30). The first group received the relaxation-guided imagery, before the induction of general anesthesia; the second group received standard care. The levels of preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain were assessed using, respectively, the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale and the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability Scale. The results showed a statistically significant difference between groups, with less anxiety and less pain for children included in the experimental group (p 

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PMID: 

Front Psychol. 2018 ;9:1858. Epub 2018 Oct 2. PMID: 30333777

Abstract Title: 

Nature-Based Guided Imagery as an Intervention for State Anxiety.

Abstract: 

Anxiety is a significant mental health issue in modern society and empirical research into effective interventions to address anxiety has been extensive. Spending time in nature is one approach that has demonstrated anxiolytic effects. However, in some situations and contexts spending time in nature in order to reduce anxiety symptoms may not be possible. For example, in therapeutic settings delivered in a space with no access or exposure to any nature stimuli in the immediate surrounding environment. Guided imagery (GI) has also proven to be effective for reducing anxiety symptoms. Thus, nature-based GI might help to overcome the limitation of access to nature and strengthen the impact of GI interventions. The current study investigated the effectiveness of nature-based GI on anxiety reduction. Participants (= 48, 18 males, 30 females,= 34.54,= 12.91, age range = 19 – 71 years) with moderate levels of either trait or state anxiety as measured by the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) were recruited. Participants undertook both a nature-based GI session and a traditional non-nature-based GI session and their pre- and post- state anxiety levels were measured in each GI session. It was anticipated that post state anxiety scores would be significantly lower for both GI conditions and that a significantly greater anxiety reduction would be found in the nature-based GI than the urban-based GI. A two-way analysis of variance for repeated measures revealed results that supported both hypotheses. This study was the first to compare a nature based GI intervention with a traditional (non-nature based) GI intervention. Findings indicate that nature-based GI interventions are effective anxiety management interventions that have the added benefit of being cost-effective and easily accessible.

PMID: 

Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2018 Nov ;33:184-190. Epub 2018 Oct 17. PMID: 30396619

Abstract Title: 

The effect of guided imagery on anxiety, depression and vital signs in patients on hemodialysis.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients on hemodialysis experience anxiety and depression. This study aimed to investigate the effect of guided imagery on anxiety, depression, and vital signs in patients on hemodialysis.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 80 patients undergoing hemodialysis. The subjects were randomly assigned into two groups: a guided intervention group and a control group. Anxiety and depression were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.RESULTS: After the intervention, the level of anxiety and depression were significantly lower in the intervention group compared with the control group (p = 0.030, p = 0.001, respectively). A statistically significant reduction in the respiratory rate and heart rate was reported in the intervention group (p 

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PMID: 

Creat Nurs. 2018 Nov ;24(4):211-214. PMID: 30567961

Abstract Title: 

Guided Imagery as a Resource to Decrease Test Anxiety.

Abstract: 

A pre-exam guided imagery intervention was implemented with 49 senior baccalaureate nursing students to address test anxiety. The intervention consisted of listening to a 10-minute recorded audio guided imagery exercise. Self-reported anxiety levels were measured using a Likert scale pre- and post-guided imagery. Most students demonstrated a reduction in test anxiety postintervention.

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PMID: 

Holist Nurs Pract. 2019 Mar/Apr;33(2):111-120. PMID: 30747780

Abstract Title: 

Benefits of a Home Treatment Program Using Guided Imagery Relaxation Based on Audio Recordings for People With Fibromyalgia.

Abstract: 

Despite the plethora of treatments available for patients with fibromyalgia, there is insufficient evidence to date as to what the ideal treatment approach is. This study sought to determine the effectiveness of a home program of audio-recorded guided imagery relaxation on people with fibromyalgia. This experimental 8-week longitudinal trial design was undertaken with 60 people diagnosed with fibromyalgia who were randomly assigned to either a guided imagery intervention group or a control group. Pain at tender points, anxiety, self-efficacy, quality of sleep, quality of life, and the impact of the fibromyalgia were determined at baseline, at 4 weeks, and at 8 weeks. After the guided imagery intervention, we found significant differences regarding trait anxiety, sleep quality, and tenderness at some of the tender points. There is a need, therefore, to develop and evaluate interventions that may enhance the quality of life of those affected by this disorder.

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