Bridging the Gap Between Mind and Body: A Biobehavioral Model of the Effects of Guided Imagery on Pain, Pain Disability, and Depression

Guided Imagery for Symptom Management of Patients with Life-Limiting Illnesses: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: Patients with life-limiting illnesses receiving palliative care have a high symptom burden that can be challenging to manage. Guided imagery (GI), a complementary and integrative therapy in which patients are induced to picture mental images with sensory components, has proven in quasi-experimental studies to be effective as a complementary therapy for symptom management. Objective: To systematically review randomized controlled trials that report evidence of guided imagery for symptom management in patients with life-limiting illnesses. Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline was followed for this review and the search strategy was applied in Medline, CINHAL, and Web of Science. The quality of articles was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration's Risk-of-Bias Tool 2 (RoB 2). The results are presented using the Guidance on the Conduct of Narrative Synthesis in Systematic Reviews. Results: A total of 8822 studies were initially identified through the search strategy, but after applying exclusion criteria, 14 randomized controlled trials were included in this review. The quality assessment revealed that four studies had a high risk of bias, nine had some concerns, and one had a low risk of bias. Out of the 14 studies, 6 evaluated oncological diagnosis, while the remaining 8 focused on nononcological diagnoses across 6 different diseases. GI was found to be effective in managing symptoms in 10 out of the 14 studies. Regardless of the disease stage, patients who received guided imagery experienced relief from anxiety, depression, pain, sleep disturbances, and fatigue. Conclusion: GI therapy has shown promising results regarding symptom management in palliative care patients with life-limiting illnesses at different stages.

Enhancing Chronic Non-Cancer Pain Management: A Systematic Review of Mindfulness Therapies and Guided Imagery Interventions

Background and Objectives: There has been an increasing interest in the use of non-pharmacological approaches for the multidimensional treatment of chronic pain. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of mindfulness-based therapies and Guided Imagery (GI) interventions in managing chronic non-cancer pain and related outcomes. Materials and Methods: Searching three electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus) and following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review was performed on Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and pilot RCTs investigating mindfulness or GI interventions in adult patients with chronic non-cancer pain. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool was utilized to assess the quality of the evidence, with outcomes encompassing pain intensity, opioid consumption, and non-sensorial dimensions of pain. Results: Twenty-six trials met the inclusion criteria, with most of them exhibiting a moderate to high risk of bias. A wide diversity of chronic pain types were under analysis. Amongst the mindfulness interventions, and besides the classical programs, Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) emerges as an approach that improves interoception. Six trials demonstrated that mindfulness techniques resulted in a significant reduction in pain intensity, and three trials also reported significant outcomes with GI. Evidence supports a significant improvement in non-sensory dimensions of pain in ten trials using mindfulness and in two trials involving GI. Significant effects on opioid consumption were reported in four mindfulness-based trials, whereas one study involving GI found a small effect with that variable. Conclusions: This study supports the evidence of benefits of both mindfulness techniques and GI interventions in the management of chronic non-cancer pain. Regarding the various mindfulness interventions, a specific emphasis on the positive results of MORE should be highlighted. Future studies should focus on specific pain types, explore different durations of the mindfulness and GI interventions, and evaluate emotion-related outcomes.

Hypnosis As A Therapy for Chronic Lower Back Pain

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Chronic lower back pain is a crippling condition for the individual and a significant burden on society. It is notoriously challenging to manage despite access to invasive interventions. Understanding hypnosis as a powerful therapeutic adjunct to this condition allows holistic treatment of patients in distress.

RECENT FINDINGS

In addition to classic etiologies of chronic lower back pain, hypnosis has proven to be beneficial in chronic back pain caused by pregnancy, diabetic and HIV neuropathy. Combination of hypnosis with other mind-body techniques such as olfactory stimulation, music therapy and patient education offers further promise to this treatment modality. Our review provides a run-through of the fundamental mechanisms of hypnosis in moderating chronic back pain, its quantifiable benefits, its novel areas of use and its potentials in the future based on the most recent and relevant peer-reviewed literature in order to guide clinicians to better deploy this valuable resource.

Applying the Power of the Mind in Acupuncture Treatment of Pain

Background: Healing is a complicated process that can have several components including the self-healing properties of the body, the nonspecific effects of treatment (e.g., the power of the mind), and the specific effects of an intervention. This article first discusses the brain imaging studies on placebo acupuncture analgesia and the modulation effects of expectancy on real acupuncture in healthy subjects. Then, it introduces some attempts to translate findings from healthy subjects to patient population using power of the mind as a way to enhance acupuncture's treatment effects on chronic pain. After that, a new alternative method which merges acupuncture and imagery, while also drawing on power of the mind, is presented. Finally, the specific effects of acupuncture are discussed. Conclusions: Elucidating the mechanism underlying power of the mind would provide new opportunities for boosting the therapeutic effect of acupuncture treatment and furthering the development of new alternative interventions.

Guided Imagery Improves Mood, Fatigue, and Quality of Life in Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis: An Exploratory Efficacy Trial of Healing Light Guided Imagery

Multiple sclerosis is a disabling and progressive neurological disease that has significant negative effects on health-related quality of life. This exploratory efficacy study examined the effects of Healing Light Guided Imagery (HLGI), a novel variant of guided imagery, compared with a wait-list control in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Changes in the Beck Depression Inventory, Fatigue Severity Scale, and Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life instrument (physical and mental components) were compared between groups. Patients who completed HLGI (N = 9) showed significant reductions in depressed mood (P < .05) and fatigue (P < .01) and showed significant gains in physical (P = .01) and mental (P < .01) quality of life compared with journaling (N = 8). Our results suggest that HLGI can improve self-reported physical and mental well-being in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Further research is needed to study the effectiveness of this therapy, as well as its mind-body mechanisms of action.

Relations among Pain, Pain Beliefs, and Psychological Well-Being in Patients with Chronic Pain

BACKGROUND

Chronic pain influencing the quality of life and well-being of the patients are also affected by pain beliefs. Psychological well-being could make a person have positive pain beliefs and these could facilitate patients' coping skills. In the care of the patients with chronic pain, nursing interventions can improve patients' well-being.

AIMS

This study aimed to determine the relationship between pain, pain beliefs and psychological well-being in patients with chronic pain.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional and relational study.

SUBJECTS

This study was conducted with 86 patients with chronic joint pain.

METHODS

A convenience sample method was used in the research. Data were gathered using a Personel Information Form, The Pain Beliefs Questionnaire and Psychological Well-being Scale. Frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and correlation analysis were used for data assessment.

RESULTS

It was found that there was a statistically significant correlation between pain severity and organic pain beliefs, statistically significant negative correlation between frequency and severity of pain and psychological well-being, and statistically significant relationship between organic pain beliefs and the psychological well-being.

CONCLUSIONS

Organic pain beliefs and pain intensity affect the psychological well-being of the patients with chronic pain. To increase the psychological well-being level of patients with chronic pain, patients' informations, attitudes and beliefs about pain and pain control should be changed positively. Also, nursing care focused on improving well-being should be provided by nurses. Further studies should be carried out on other factors affecting the well-being of patients as well as pain and pain beliefs on larger samples.

A systematic review of psychological interventions in total hip and knee arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

The current practice in elective orthopaedics does not routinely include psychological interventions despite evidence that psychological factors such as personality, anxiety, depression and negative thinking styles can influence outcomes and recovery from surgery. The objective of this paper was to review the effectiveness of psychological interventions used in conjunction with total hip (THA) and knee arthroplasty (TKA), in improving patient reported joint outcomes.

METHODS

An extensive literature search was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Search terms included psychology, interventions, and orthopaedics. Articles were included if they were randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of psychological interventions involving active patient participation measured with patient reported joint outcomes in patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty.

RESULTS

A total of 19,489 titles were screened. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria and were included. Five of seven studies did not show improvements in patient reported outcomes after surgery. Specifically, psycho-education alone was not effective at improving patient reported joint outcomes in two out of two studies.

CONCLUSION

The current literature does not support routine psychological interventions for TKA and THA. However, it should be noted that the literature for psychological interventions in conjunction with TKA and THA is still in its infancy. This gap in the literature is surprising, considering the importance of the role of psychological factors in recovery. Further RCTs with long term follow ups, multidisciplinary involvement, and more comprehensive and focused interventions that go beyond educating patients are needed. Future studies should account for the demand effect, include measures of psychological variables to determine whether psychological interventions are more beneficial for some patients compared to others, and compare the different modes of delivery and timing of interventions to determine the optimal nature and duration of psychological interventions for TKA and THA.

The effect of guided imagery on physiological and psychological outcomes of adult ICU patients: A systematic literature review and methodological implications

OBJECTIVES

Guided imagery (GI) is a relaxation technique that is being increasingly explored in various patients' populations. We systematically reviewed evidence on the effects of GI on physiological and psychological outcomes of adult critically ill patients and extracted implications for future research.

REVIEW METHOD USED

Systematic literature review of published studies based on the Cochrane Guidelines.

DATA SOURCES

Studies were located through literature searches of CINAHL, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Psych-Info.

REVIEW METHODS

We explored effects of GI in critically illness. The outcome measures included pain, anxiety, hemodynamic measurements, stress neuropeptides, length of stay, sleep quality, inflammatory markers, patient satisfaction and cost of care. The Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias was employed. Extracted data included pathophysiological framework, sample, diagnoses of participants, specifics of intervention, design, experimental groups, analyses and main outcomes.

RESULTS

Based on the selection criteria, 10 studies were identified, involving N=1391 critically ill patients. The main limitations include incomplete outcome data and selective reporting, incomplete blinding and lack of experimental group allocation concealment. Due to heterogeneity and incomplete reporting, a meta-analysis was not feasible. Our findings included: (a) favourable effects of the intervention with regard to decrease of pain, anxiety and LOS; (b) many studies employing randomised controlled trial designs; (c) a predominant focus on patients with cardiac surgery; (d) large heterogeneity in measurement of outcomes. Moreover, the evidence suggests that improvements in sleep quality, patient satisfaction and cost of care merit further investigation. Methodological implications include the need to clarify the underlying physiological framework, the use of repeated measure designs and the adjustment for confounders.

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of these results, and of the absence of reported side-effects, we conclude that GI is a promising patient-centered approach for the improvement of a number of patients' outcomes that merits further investigation in critical care.

Acceptability of a Guided Imagery Intervention for Persons Undergoing a Total Knee Replacement

BACKGROUND

Guided imagery (GI) has been recommended as a mind-body therapy for pain relief following orthopaedic surgery, but little is known about the acceptability of the intervention.

PURPOSE

Describe the perceptions of patients undergoing total knee replacement (TKR) surgery regarding the acceptability of a customized GI intervention to promote TKR outcomes.

METHODS

Narrative and survey data collected during a randomized controlled trial of the GI intervention were analyzed to assess the acceptability of the intervention.

RESULTS

Most participants were satisfied with and actively engaged in the intervention, and they perceived it to be helpful. For the smaller group of participants who did not find the intervention to be acceptable, reasons for dissatisfaction and barriers to engagement were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Guided imagery is an acceptable intervention for many persons undergoing TKR surgery. The results of this study can provide information to further develop a targeted and customized GI intervention for this population.

Guided Imagery for Total Knee Replacement: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effect of guided imagery (GI) on functional outcomes of total knee replacement (TKR), explore psychological and neuroimmune mediators, and assess feasibility of study implementation.

DESIGN

Investigator-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study.

SETTINGS

Hospital, surgeon's office, participant's home.

PARTICIPANTS

82 persons undergoing TKR.

INTERVENTIONS

Audiorecordings of TKR-specific GI scripts or placebo-control audiorecordings of audiobook segments.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Gait velocity and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) Function scale.

RESULTS

Outcomes for 58 participants (29 receiving GI and 29 controls) were analyzed at 6 months after surgery. The most frequent reason for noncompletion was protocol-driven exclusion at 6 months for having the contralateral knee replaced before the study endpoint (n = 15). With imaging ability as a moderator, gait velocity, but not WOMAC Function score, was significantly improved at 6 months in the GI group. Participants in the GI group, but not the control group, had lower WOMAC Pain scores at 3 weeks after surgery than at baseline. Hair cortisol concentration was significantly lower at 6 months after surgery than at baseline in the GI group but not the control group. GI group participants had lower treatment adherence but greater treatment credibility than the control group.

CONCLUSION

Randomized controlled trials of GI in the TKR population are feasible, but inclusion/exclusion criteria influence attrition. Further studies are needed to elaborate this study's findings, which suggest that guided imagery improves objective, but not patient-reported, outcomes of TKR. Hair cortisol concentration results suggest that engagement in a time-limited guided imagery intervention may contribute to stress reduction even after the intervention is terminated. Further investigation into optimal content and dosing of GI is needed.

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

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 < .046) and depression (P < .010) than the control group at the week 4 evaluation. A statistically significant effect on pain as measured by the daily VAS diary was also found in the experimental group. At week 8, no significant differences were found for pain.

CONCLUSION

Patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia may benefit from this nursing intervention in terms of relieving pain and depression. Guided imagery relaxation therapy could be incorporated as part of fibromyalgia treatment to promote health among people with fibromyalgia.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Guided imagery as a nursing intervention can alleviate pain and depression in patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

Self - Reported Depression, Anxiety and Evaluation of Own Pain in Clinical Sample of Patients with Different Location of Chronic Pain

Background

Depression, anxiety and chronic pain are frequent co-occurrent disorders. Patients with these mental disorders experience more intense pain that lasts for a longer time.

Method

Questionnaire with 228 variables was applied to 109 randomly chosen patients that were treated at an outpatient clinic for treatment of chronic pain of the University Clinical Centre Ljubljana from March to June 2013. 87 patients responded to the questionnaire (79.8%). Location of pain considering diagnosis was the criterion in the discriminant analysis (soft tissue disorders; headache; symptoms not elsewhere classified; back pain) and following summative scores as predictors: level of depression and anxiety (The Zung Self-Rating Depression/Anxiety Scale), evaluation of pain and perceptions of being threatened in social relations.

Results

Average age of participants was M = 52.7 years (SD 13.9), with 70.9% female, 29.1% male participants. 63% of respondents achieved clinically important level of depression and 54% clinically important level of anxiety. On univariate level, the highest level of depression and anxiety was found for back pain and the lowest for headache. No significant difference was found in evaluation of pain and perceptions of being threatened in social relations regarding location of pain. Self-evaluation of depression has, in the framework of discriminant analysis, the largest weight for prediction of differentiation between different locations of pain.

Conclusion

Different locations of pain have different connections with mood levels. The results of research on a preliminary level indicate the need to consider mental experience in the treatment of chronic pain.

Effectiveness of app-based relaxation for patients with chronic low back pain (Relaxback) and chronic neck pain (Relaxneck): study protocol for two randomized pragmatic trials

BACKGROUND

Chronic low back pain (LBP) and neck pain (NP) are highly prevalent conditions resulting in high economic costs. Treatment guidelines recommend relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation, as adjuvant therapies. Self-care interventions could have the potential to reduce costs in the health care system, but their effectiveness, especially in a usual care setting, is unclear. The aim of these two pragmatic randomized studies is to evaluate whether an additional app-delivered relaxation is more effective in the reduction of chronic LBP or NP than usual care alone.

METHODS/DESIGN

Each pragmatic randomized two-armed study aims to include a total of 220 patients aged 18 to 65 years with chronic (>12 weeks) LBP or NP and an average pain intensity of ≥ 4 on a numeric rating scale (NRS) in the 7 days before recruitment. The participants will be randomized into an intervention and a usual care group. The intervention group will be instructed to practice one of these 3 relaxation techniques on at least 5 days/week for 15 minutes/day over a period of 6 months starting on the day of randomization: autogenic training, mindfulness meditation, or guided imagery. Instructions and exercises will be provided using a smartphone app, baseline information will be collected using paper and pencil. Follow-up information (daily, weekly, and after 3 and 6 months) will be collected using electronic diaries and questionnaires included in the app. The primary outcome measure will be the mean LBP or NP intensity during the first 3 months of intervention based on daily pain intensity measurements on a NRS (0 = no pain, 10 = worst possible pain). The secondary outcome parameters will include the mean pain intensity during the first 6 months after randomization based on daily measurements, the mean pain intensity measured weekly as the average pain intensity of the previous 7 days over 3 and 6 months, pain acceptance, 'LBP- and NP-related' stress, sick leave days, pain medication intake, adherence, suspected adverse reaction, and serious adverse events.

DISCUSSION

The designed studies reflect a usual self-care setting and will provide evidence on a pragmatic self-care intervention that is easy to combine with care provided by medical professionals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier Relaxback NCT02019498, Relaxneck NCT02019134 registered on 18 December 2013.