A perception theory in mind–body medicine: guided imagery and mindful meditation as cross-modal adaptation

Abstract

A new theory of mind-body interaction in healing is proposed based on considerations from the field of perception. It is suggested that the combined effect of visual imagery and mindful meditation on physical healing is simply another example of cross-modal adaptation in perception, much like adaptation to prism-displaced vision. It is argued that psychological interventions produce a conflict between the perceptual modalities of the immune system and vision (or touch), which leads to change in the immune system in order to realign the modalities. It is argued that mind-body interactions do not exist because of higher-order cognitive thoughts or beliefs influencing the body, but instead result from ordinary interactions between lower-level perceptual modalities that function to detect when sensory systems have made an error. The theory helps explain why certain illnesses may be more amenable to mind-body interaction, such as autoimmune conditions in which a sensory system (the immune system) has made an error. It also renders sensible erroneous changes, such as those brought about by "faith healers," as conflicts between modalities that are resolved in favor of the wrong modality. The present view provides one of very few psychological theories of how guided imagery and mindfulness meditation bring about positive physical change. Also discussed are issues of self versus non-self, pain, cancer, body schema, attention, consciousness, and, importantly, developing the concept that the immune system is a rightful perceptual modality. Recognizing mind-body healing as perceptual cross-modal adaptation implies that a century of cross-modal perception research is applicable to the immune system.

Trait mindfulness correlates with individual differences in multisensory imagery vividness

“…We would advocate for greater systematic study of the construct of embodied imagery as one mechanism through which meditation practices are associated with increased well-being. Indeed whereas previous findings support the use of guided meditations in treating affective disorders, few studies have tried to unravel the intricacies regarding how individual differences in the capacity to vividly experience visual and embodied imagery relate to how much persons will enjoy and perceive themselves to benefit from guided meditation practices (Bedford, 2012;Kabat-Zinn, 2003, 2005. It has been suggested that the practice of embodiment meditations cultivates awareness of how our body, external environment and mind interact to create our sense of self (Kabat-Zinn, 2003, 2005 and, consistent with this sentiment, the current results support the use of meditations utilizing guided imagery as means to encourage the felt embodiment of positive selfreferential characteristics.…”

“…Interestingly, it has been suggested that individual variability in the experienced vividness of imagery during guided meditations may be predicted by individual differences in mindfulness (Bedford, 2012). Mindfulness itself is generally described within the literature as a subjective state involving nonjudgmental awareness focused on the present moment (Bishop et al, 2004;Kabat-Zinn, 2003, 2005.…”

The Effect of Guided Imagery on Stress and Fatigue in Patients with Thyroid Cancer Undergoing Radioactive Iodine Therapy

“…Although there is no clear explanation of how guided imagery brings about positive physical changes, one possible explanation has been provided by Bedford, who believes that perceptual processes are involved in imagery [32]. The combined effect of imagery on physical healing is simply another example of cross-modal adaptation in perception.…”

Grounding clinical and cognitive scientists in an interdisciplinary discussion

“…An attempt to translate grounded evidence in clinical practice has been introducedin a recent paper. Bedford (2012) theorizes that the visual component of perception can cure a number of medical symptoms by affecting the immune system. Vision, however, is controlled and modulated (Rizzolatti et al, 1994) by the motor system, as in the case of visual awareness studies demonstrating that the motor plan moderates perceptions of plan-congruent objects (Symes et al, 2008), or the reaching of a target in absence of visual awareness (Binsted et al, 2007).…”