A systematic review of guided imagery as an adjuvant cancer therapy

Abstract

SUMMARYAim: The aim of this paper is to summarise and critically evaluate the evidence available from controlled clinical trials regarding the use of guided imagery as a sole adjuvant therapy for cancer patients.Methods: Electronic searches for controlled clinical trials were carried out in eight databases and two clinical trial registers. Trials that featured guided imagery as a sole adjuvant therapy were included. No language restrictions were imposed. Data were extracted and validated independently by two researchers.Results: Six randomised clinical trials were included. Detailed results were available for four studies only. Poor reporting and heterogeneous populations, interventions and outcome measures across trials precluded statistical pooling of results. The methodological quality was on average low. Three studies reported significant differences in measures of anxiety, comfort or emotional response to chemotherapy for patients who received guided imagery over the control groups. Two studies showed no differences between guided imagery and other interventions in any of the outcome measures.Conclusion: Guided imagery, as a sole adjuvant cancer therapy may be psycho-supportive and increase comfort. There is no compelling evidence to suggest positive effects on physical symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. The data seem sufficiently encouraging for the use of guided imagery as an adjuvant cancer therapy to merit further research.

A review and recommendations for optimal outcome measures of anxiety, depression and general distress in studies evaluating psychosocial interventions for English-speaking adults with heterogeneous cancer diagnoses

“…Further RCTs were sought via review reference lists [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. The systematic review was limited to results from English-speaking samples to minimise problems in generalising results across languages and cultures.…”

Guided Imagery for Musculoskeletal Pain.

“…[8][9][10] These images are typically visualized with the goal of evoking a state of relaxation, possibly with a specific outcome in mind (eg, pain relief). 8 GI was suggested to be an effective treatment for pain in a variety of clinical conditions 11,12 and is said to modulate the immune system, 13 deactivate the neuroendocrine system, 7,14,15 and facilitate mind-body healing. 16 An earlier systematic review of GI concluded that "the data seem sufficiently encouraging for the use of GI as an adjuvant cancer therapy."…”

Beneficial Effects of Pranic Meditation on the Mental Health and Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Survivors

“…These interventions aim at providing patients with knowledge and skills to cope with and achieve personal control over their symptoms, 18 and take advantage of the principle that by learning how to focus the mind it is possible to control the emotions and the bodily functions. Some mind-body interventions used as complementary therapy have been shown beneficial effects for controlling the clinical, emotional, behavioral, and spiritual disorders associated with cancer and its therapy, including relaxation, 19 guided imagery, 20 yoga, 21 tai chi, 22 qigong, 23 and meditation. 15 Meditation encompasses an array of techniques and procedures that have in common the focusing of attention either on breathing, visualizations, and mantras, or on the practitioner's own thoughts.…”