Guided Imagery / Visualization
Uses with the Cancer Patron
By Cheryl Warren, M.S.L.S.
ValleyCare Health Library, Pleasanton, CA
Excerpted from Cancer Librarians Section Newsletter, Spring 1999
Updated 2002
Guided imagery or visualization is a technique that uses the imagination to create vivid images that the body can perceive and respond to. Often described as focused day-dreaming, visualization is considered a complementary therapy that works well with traditional treatments. Guided imagery can ease stress, anxiety, enhance personal awareness, and improve psychological coping skills. Because visual imagery has numerous aspects and various components as well as techniques in application, the definitions can vary in meaning from practitioner to practitioner.
Visualization has been a part of many cultures and religions, but received wider notice in traditional western medicine in the late 1960's and early 1970's when biofeedback researchers started employing visual imagery with biofeedback devices to get measurable results. Around that time, the Simontons began experimenting with imagery and cancer patients. Simontons are associated with an aggressive form of imagery designed to heighten the body's natural defenses to fight or cure the cancer. Other clinicians take a more gentle approach to imagery, using visualization to improve the patient's quality of life. Today imagery has become the basis of many relaxation therapies.
Cancer patients frequently request information or resources on guided imagery and visualization. These patients are generally interested in complementary therapies for pain and nausea control, heightened immune functioning, reduced anxiety and depression and to otherwise improve their quality of life with a positive mental attitude.
Web Sites
Of the various web sites available on guided imagery and visualization, these represent an excellent starting point.
- Academy for Guided Imagery
AGI is a center for professional training and certification programs in this area. Web site includes a directory of practitioners, faq section, fact style sheets and a bookstore.
www.interactiveimagery.com
- Health Journeys: the Guided Imagery Resource Center.
Belleruth Naparstek has an excellent site filled with useful, patient friendly information as well as her tapes and cd's on guided imagery. Site includes FAQ's, description of guided imagery, and a listing of current clinical research using guided imagery.
http://www.healthjourneys.com.
- International Association of Interactive Imagery
The IAII has an online journal with interesting full-text articles. Site includes a directory of practitioner's.
http://www.iaii.org/
- NCCAM
NIH's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine provides the public and professionals with a wealth of information in this area. Includes fact sheets, clinical trials in the area of complementary and alternative medicine, and links to online databases that index articles on complementary and alternative medicine. Guided imagery and visualization can be easily researched here.
http://nccam.nih.gov/
- OCCAM
Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine (OCCAM) acts to coordinate the activities of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in supporting the development of high-quality CAM cancer research. Clinical trials on cancer and CAM are available from this site. Offers links to reliable resources.
http://www3.cancer.gov/occam/
Literature Search: Guided Imagery / Visualization and Cancer
Current literature is readily available on the use of guided imagery with cancer patients. Included here are several citations to articles for the interested healthcare provider and the educated consumer.
Two particularly good articles from the medical profession standpoint are Mind- Body Medicine; an Introduction and Review of the Literature by KA Barrows and Mind-Body Therapies for the Primary Care Physician by DR Chiaramonte. Although not strictly devoted to cancer patients, these articles provide a definition of mind-body medicine, a review of the literature and a basic introduction to relaxation techniques, guided imagery, and meditation.
- Analysis of recent literature concerning relaxation and imagery interventions for cancer pain. Wallace KG. Cancer Nurs 1997; 20(2): 79-87.
- Complementary therapies for cancer patients: what works, what doesn't, and how to know the difference / Handel DL. Tex Med 2001; 97(2): 68-73.
- Coping, life attitudes, and immune responses to imagery and group support after breast cancer treatment / Richardson MA. Altern Ther Health Med 1997; 3(5): 62-70.
- The effects of guided imagery on comfort of women with early stage breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy / Kolcaba K, Fox C. Oncol Nurs Forum 1999; 26(1): 67-72.
- Imagery and hypnosis in the treatment of cancer patients / Spiegel D. Oncology (Huntingt) 1997; 11(8):1179-89; discussion 1189-95.
- Meditation and prostate cancer : integrating a mind/body intervention with traditional therapies / Coker KH. Semin Urol Oncol 1999; 17(2): 111-8.
- Mind-body medicine. An introduction and review of the literature / Barrows KA, Jacobs BP. Med Clin North Am 2002; 86(1): 11-31.
- Mind-body therapies for primary care physicians / Chiarmonte DR. Prim Care 1997; 24(4): 787-807.
- Pain management strategies used by patients with breast and gynecologic cancer with postoperative pain / Kwekkeboom KL. Cancer Nurs 2001; 24(5): 378-86.
- Psychological, clinical and pathological effects of relaxation training and guided imagery during primary chemotherapy / Walker LG, Walker MB, et al. Br J Cancer 1999; 80(1-2): 262-8.
- Relaxation and imagery for symptom management: improving patient assessment and individualizing treatment / Van Fleet S. Oncol Nurs Forum 2000; 27(3): 501-10.
- Use of relaxation for the promotion of comfort and pain relief in persons with advanced cancer / Solman R. Contemp Nurse 1994; 3(1): 6-12.
- Uses of guided imagery for pain control by african-american and white women with metastatic breast cancer / Moore RJ, Spiegel D. Integr. Med 2000; 2(2): 115-126.
Collection Development: Guided Imagery / Visualization
Books
Alternative advisor : the complete guide to natural therapies and alternative treatments / Somerville, R. Time-Life, 1997. ISBN: 0783549075.
Provides dependable information in the overall area of alternative/complementary therapies with a small section on guided imagery. Sidebars indicate cautions, other resources, and licensing/insurance information.
Alternatives in cancer therapy: the complete guide to non-traditional treatments / Pelton, R. Fireside/Simon & Schuster, 1994. ISBN: 0671796232.
Chapter on visualization and meditation summarizes the work of the Simonton's and others. Simonton's guidelines for effective imagery are included.
Creative imagery in nursing / Weinstein, L. Delmar Publishers, 1996. ISBN: 082736394x.
Goal is to familiarize nurses with the benefits of using therapeutic imagery. Contains suggestions on how to integrate imagery into everyday practice. Includes sample scripts.
Creative visualization: using imagery and imagination for self-transformation / Shone, R. Destiny Books, 1998. ISBN : 089281707.
Guide to using visualization techniques. This is a popular press title; easy to read.
Guided imagery for groups / Schwartz, A. Whole Person Assoc., 1995. ISBN: 1570250669.
Provides fifty scripts for use in various settings by professional and lay person alike. Suggestions are included for improving group dynamics as such could be useful in a support group setting that is trying guided imagery.
Healing images for children : teaching relaxation and guided imagery to children facing cancer and other serious illnesses / Holden, M. Inner Coaching, 2001. ISBN: 0963602721.
Provides parents and children with various coping techniques to encourage relaxation and stress reduction. Breathing exercises, visual imagery, humor, and positive affirmations are included in this very useful text.
Holistic health promotion and complementary therapies: a resource for integrated practice /Aspen Reference Group. Aspen Publications, 1998. ISBN: 0834210053.
Written for the health professional, this book describes the various complementary therapies and provides commentary on application in the practice setting, including documentation techniques and the assessment process. Contains a fine section on relaxation, meditation and imagery.
Imagery for getting well : clinical applications of behavioral medicine / Brigham, DD. Norton & Co., 1996. ISBN: 0393702251.
Summarizes clinical applications of visual imagery. Includes case histories and guidelines.
Staying well with guided imagery / Naparstek, B. Warner Books, 1995. ISBN: 0446671347.
Guide to the use of visualization to improve health and well-being. This readable text is nice starting place for the interested consumer.
Audio-visuals
Sources have specific audios for cancer patients as well as general health titles.
Health Journeys
Fax: 1-330-633-3778
1-800-800-8661
http://www.healthjourneys.com/
TouchStar Productions
1-800-759-1294
http://www.touchstarpro.com/
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