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Other common
name(s): guided imagery, visualization
Scientific/medical
name(s): none
Description
Imagery involves mental exercises designed to allow the mind
to influence the health and well-being of the body. The patient
imagines sights, sounds, smells, tastes, or other sensations to create
a kind of purposeful daydream. It is used with standard medical
treatment in people with cancer and other diseases.
Overview
Available scientific evidence does not support claims that
imagery can influence the development or progress of cancer. Imagery
can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression; manage pain; lower
blood pressure; ease some of the side effects of chemotherapy; and
create feelings of being in control.
How is it promoted for use?
Imagery is said to be a relaxation technique, similar to
meditation and self-hypnosis, that has physical and psychological
effects. Promoters claim it can relax the mind and body by decreasing
heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and altering brain waves. Some
supporters also say that imagery can relieve pain and emotional
anxiety, make drugs more effective, and provide emotional insights.
Practitioners use imagery to treat people with phobias and
depression, reduce stress, increase motivation, promote relaxation,
increase control over one’s life, improve communication, and
even to help people stop smoking. Imagery is also used in biofeedback,
hypnosis, and neuro-linguistic programming.
For people with cancer, some supporters of imagery report that
it can relieve nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy, relieve stress
associated with having cancer, enhance the immune system, help with
weight gain, combat depression, and lessen pain.
What does it involve?
There are many different imagery techniques. One popular
method is called “palming.” It involves placing the
palms of your hands over your eyes and imagining a color you associate
with anxiety or stress (such as red) and then a color you associate
with relaxation or calmness (such as blue). Picturing a calming color
is supposed to make you feel relaxed and improve your health and sense
of well-being. Other methods use images such as a ball of gentle
healing energy forming in your chest and expanding through your body as
you breathe. Some involve imagining yourself in a peaceful scene of
your own choosing, such as a beach or meadow, with all the sights,
sounds, smells, and sensations that complete the experience.
Another common technique is known as guided imagery and
involves picturing a specific image or goal and imagining yourself
achieving that goal. Athletes use this technique to improve their game.
One type of guided therapy used for cancer patients is called the
Simonton method, which was developed in the 1970s by O. Carl Simonton,
a radiation oncologist, and Stephanie Matthews-Simonton, a
psychotherapist. In the Simonton method, people with cancer are asked
to imagine their bodies fighting cancer cells and winning the battle.
One popular exercise is modeled on the old Pac-Man video game. Patients
picture tiny Pac-Man characters eating and destroying tumor cells, just
as he destroys his enemies in the game. The Simontons used this method
with conventional cancer treatments.
Imagery techniques can be self-taught with the help of one of
the many books or audio recordings that have been published on the
subject. They can also be practiced under the guidance of a trained
therapist. Imagery sessions with a health professional may last twenty
to thirty minutes.
What is the history behind it?
Imagery is believed to have been used as a medical therapy for
centuries. There is recorded evidence that Tibetan monks in the 13th
and 14th centuries began meditating and imagining that Buddha would
cure diseases. Some say the techniques even go back to the ancient
Babylonians, Greeks, and Romans. The Simontons popularized imagery
therapies in a best-selling 1978 book titled Getting Well Again.
The book described their experiences in treating cancer patients with
imagery and other therapies.
Currently, imagery is used in clinics at medical centers and
local hospitals. It is often combined with other behavioral treatments.
What is the evidence?
According to some studies, guided imagery may help reduce some
of the side effects of standard cancer treatment. A review of 46
studies that were conducted from 1966 to 1998 suggested that guided
imagery may be helpful in managing stress, anxiety, and depression and
in lowering blood pressure, reducing pain, and reducing some side
effects of chemotherapy. Another review in 2002 noted that imagery was
possibly helpful for anxiety, as well as anticipatory nausea and
vomiting from chemotherapy. (Anticipatory or conditioned nausea or
vomiting occurs when, after a few doses of chemotherapy have caused
nausea or vomiting, some people have nausea or vomiting just before the
next dose is to be given.) A 2006 review of clinical trials of imagery
found that only 3 studies showed improvement in anxiety and comfort
during chemotherapy. Two other studies showed no difference between
those who used imagery and those who used other measures. In addition,
a clinical trial involving women with early-stage breast cancer found
guided imagery helped to ease anxiety related to radiation therapy,
including fears about the equipment, surgical pain, and recurrence of
cancer.
Some studies also suggest that imagery can directly affect the
immune system. Although one uncontrolled, exploratory study suggested
that guided imagery could improve survival for people with cancer,
available scientific evidence does not support that these techniques
can cure cancer or any other disease. More carefully constructed
studies have shown improved quality of life in some patients, but have
found no survival advantage for imagery or other psychological
techniques.
Overall, imagery is considered one of the more useful
psychological measures to reduce some side effects of chemotherapy.
More systematic, well-designed research on guided imagery would help
answer some questions about how it can best be used.
Are there any possible problems or
complications?
Imagery techniques are considered safe, especially under the
guidance of a trained health professional. They are best used with
conventional medical treatment.
Relying on this type of treatment alone and avoiding or
delaying conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health
consequences.
Additional Resources
More information from your American Cancer
Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on
our Web site (www.cancer.org)
or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Astin JA, Shapiro SL, Eisenberg DM, Forys KL. Mind-body
medicine: state of the science, implications for practice. J Am Board Fam Pract.
2003;16:131-147.
Barrett S, Herbert V. Questionable cancer therapies.
Quackwatch Web site. Accessed at
http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/cancer.html on May
23, 2008.
Cassileth B. The
Alternative Medicine Handbook: The Complete Reference Guide to
Alternative and Complementary Therapies. New York, NY:
W.W. Norton; 1998.
Eller LS. Guided imagery interventions for symptom management.
Annu Rev Nurs Res.
1999;17:57-84.
Huebscher R, Shuler P. Mind-body-spirit interventions. In
Huebscher R, Shuler P, eds. Natural,
Alternative, and Complementary Health Care Practices. St.
Louis, MO: Mosby; 2003:762-787.
Kolcaba K, Fox C. The effects of guided imagery on comfort of
women with early stage breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy. Oncol Nurs Forum.
1999;26:67-72.
National Institutes of Health. Alternative Medicine: Expanding
Medical Horizons: A Report to the National Institutes of Health on
Alternative Medical Systems and Practices in the United States.
Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office; 1994. NIH publication
94-066.
Pain control: a guide for people with cancer and their
families. National Cancer Institute Web site. Accessed at
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/paincontrol on June 12, 2008.
Newell SA, Sanson-Fisher RW, Savolainen NJ. Systematic review
of psychological therapies for cancer patients: overview and
recommendations for future research. J Natl Cancer Inst.
2002;94:558-584.
Richardson MA, Post-White J, Grimm EA, Move LA, Singletary SE,
Justice B. Coping, life attitudes, and immune responses to imagery and
group support after breast cancer treatment. Altern Ther Health Med.
1997;3:62-70.
Roffe L, Schmidt K, Ernst E. A systematic review of guided
imagery as an adjuvant cancer therapy. Psychooncology.
2005;14:607-617.
Spencer JW, Jacobs JJ. Complementary/Alternative
Medicine: An Evidence-Based Approach. St. Louis, MO:
Mosby; 1999.
Walker LG, Walker MB, Ogston K, Heys SD, Ah-See AK, Miller ID,
Hucheon AW, Sarkar TK, Eremin O. Psychological, clinical and
pathological effects of relaxation training and guided imagery during
primary chemotherapy. Br
J Cancer. 1999;80:262-268.
Note: This information may not cover
all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or
interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be
relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is
familiar with your medical situation.
Last Medical Review: 11/01/2008
Last Revised: 11/01/2008
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