Guided imagery

Related Terms

Biofeedback, Bonny method, direct suggestion, drawing/active imagination, dream interpretation, fantasy, game playing, imagery, interactive guided imagery, meditative relaxation technique, metaphor, story telling, visualization.

Background

Throughout history, many cultures have used imagery for therapeutic purposes, including the Navajo, ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Chinese. Religions such as Hinduism and Judaism have also practiced imagery. In modern times, the term "guided imagery" may be used to refer to a number of techniques, including metaphor, story telling, fantasy, game playing, dream interpretation, drawing, visualization, active imagination, or direct suggestion using imagery.
Therapeutic guided imagery may be used to help patients relax and focus on images associated with personal issues they are confronting. Experienced guided imagery practitioners may use an interactive, objective guiding style to encourage patients to find solutions to problems by exploring their existing inner resources. Biofeedback is sometimes used with imagery to enhance meditative relaxation. Interactive guided imagery groups, classes, workshops, and seminars are available, as well as books and audiotapes.

Theory

It is theorized that the process of visualizing images can evoke sensory memory, strong emotions, or fantasy that in turn may affect the mind and body in beneficial ways. Imagery techniques have been proposed to cause a number of changes in body functions, including alterations in breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, metabolism, and the gastrointestinal system, immune system, and endocrine system. Practitioners often aim to use a variety of senses, including touch, smell, sight, and sound, to achieve a tranquil state by decreasing negative physical symptoms.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Initial research suggests that guided imagery may provide added benefits when used at the same time as standard medical care for migraine or tension headache. Further study is needed before a strong conclusion can be drawn.

 B


Initial research suggests that guided imagery may provide added benefits when used at the same time as standard medical care for migraine or tension headache. Further study is needed before a strong conclusion can be drawn.

 B


Early research suggests that guided imagery may help reduce cancer pain, intravenous needle pain, nerve pain from spinal cord damage, or lower postoperative pain ratings in children. Further research is needed to confirm these results.

 B


Early research suggests that guided imagery may help reduce cancer pain, intravenous needle pain, nerve pain from spinal cord damage, or lower postoperative pain ratings in children. Further research is needed to confirm these results.

 B


Initial evidence suggests that guided imagery relaxation audiotapes may reduce anxiety after surgeries, and may improve healing. More study is needed before a strong recommendation can be made.

 C


Initial evidence suggests that guided imagery relaxation audiotapes may reduce anxiety after surgeries, and may improve healing. More study is needed before a strong recommendation can be made.

 C


Early research suggests that the use of imagery may reduce anxiety but not depression or physical symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis. Additional research would be helpful in this area.

 C


Early research suggests that the use of imagery may reduce anxiety but not depression or physical symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis. Additional research would be helpful in this area.

 C


Evidence from early research suggests that guided imagery may be an effective treatment for bulimia nervosa, at least in the short-term. Further study is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.

 C


Evidence from early research suggests that guided imagery may be an effective treatment for bulimia nervosa, at least in the short-term. Further study is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.

 C


Initial research suggests possible reductions in pain and improvements in functioning.

 C


Initial research suggests possible reductions in pain and improvements in functioning.

 C


Although guided-imagery meditation is popularly used with yoga for general health maintenance, there is not enough scientific evidence in this area.

C


Although guided-imagery meditation is popularly used with yoga for general health maintenance, there is not enough scientific evidence in this area.

C


Early research supports the value of combined pharmacotherapy and relaxation training in the treatment of insomnia. Further research is necessary in order to make a firm recommendation.

 C


Early research supports the value of combined pharmacotherapy and relaxation training in the treatment of insomnia. Further research is necessary in order to make a firm recommendation.

 C


Cognitive-behavioral interventions for pain may be an effective adjunct to standard pharmacologic interventions for pain in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Further research is needed to confirm these results.

 C


Cognitive-behavioral interventions for pain may be an effective adjunct to standard pharmacologic interventions for pain in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Further research is needed to confirm these results.

 C


Early research suggests that guided imagery of short duration may improve working memory performance. Further research is needed before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

 C


Early research suggests that guided imagery of short duration may improve working memory performance. Further research is needed before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

 C


Early research suggests a reduction in pain and mobility difficulties in patients with osteoarthritis. Further research is needed before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

 C


Early research suggests a reduction in pain and mobility difficulties in patients with osteoarthritis. Further research is needed before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

 C


Preliminary studies suggest that quality of life and sense of comfort may be improved by guided imagery techniques such as relaxation/imagery training tapes. Further research is needed before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

 C


Preliminary studies suggest that quality of life and sense of comfort may be improved by guided imagery techniques such as relaxation/imagery training tapes. Further research is needed before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

 C


Initial evidence suggests that occasional use of guided imagery techniques may improve quality of life in people with HIV. Additional research is needed in this area before a recommendation can be made.

 C


Initial evidence suggests that occasional use of guided imagery techniques may improve quality of life in people with HIV. Additional research is needed in this area before a recommendation can be made.

 C


A small study reports increased relaxation outcomes in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (emphysema or chronic bronchitis) who use guided imagery techniques. Additional research is needed to confirm these results.

 C


A small study reports increased relaxation outcomes in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (emphysema or chronic bronchitis) who use guided imagery techniques. Additional research is needed to confirm these results.

 C


Based on early study, guided imagery in addition to education and counseling sessions may be helpful for long-term smoking cessation and abstinence in adult smokers. Further study is needed to confirm these results.

 C


Based on early study, guided imagery in addition to education and counseling sessions may be helpful for long-term smoking cessation and abstinence in adult smokers. Further study is needed to confirm these results.

 C


Preliminary research in children suggests that stress management and relaxation with guided imagery may reduce the duration of symptoms due to upper respiratory tract infections. Additional research is needed to confirm these results.

 C


Preliminary research in children suggests that stress management and relaxation with guided imagery may reduce the duration of symptoms due to upper respiratory tract infections. Additional research is needed to confirm these results.

 C


Masked prayer, music, imagery, and touch (combined) therapy did not significantly improve clinical outcome after elective catheterization or percutaneous coronary intervention in a recent study.

 D


Masked prayer, music, imagery, and touch (combined) therapy did not significantly improve clinical outcome after elective catheterization or percutaneous coronary intervention in a recent study.

 D


Preliminary research reports no benefits of guided imagery in congestive heart failure.

 D


Preliminary research reports no benefits of guided imagery in congestive heart failure.

 D
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Safety

Many complementary techniques are practiced by healthcare professionals with formal training, in accordance with the standards of national organizations. However, this is not universally the case, and adverse effects are possible. Due to limited research, in some cases only limited safety information is available.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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