A Scoping Review of Health Outcomes Examined in Randomized Controlled Trials Using Guided Imagery

Abstract

Introduction Guided imagery involves the controlled visualization of detailed mental images. This integrative health technique is used for healing, health maintenance, or the treatment of specific conditions. Guided imagery is an integral part of mindfulness meditation, hypnosis, and various relaxation exercises. However, evidence to support the widespread use and dissemination of guided imagery interventions has been lacking. The purposes of this scoping review were to document the scope of health outcomes and disease processes examined by guided imagery researchers and the journal outlets where this work has been published. Secondary purposes were to review the efficacy of guided imagery, risk of bias from studies published in selected integrative health journals, and gain feedback from clinicians in a practiced-based research network (PBRN) about potential barriers for use in clinical settings. Methods Ten bibliographic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 1960 and 2013 that included adult participants. Descriptive and analytic methods were employed to document the journal outlets, diseases, and health outcomes investigated. Results 320 RCTs that included more than 17,979 adult participants were reviewed. The published studies appeared in 216 peer-reviewed journals from diverse disciplines largely representing psychology, the sport sciences, rehabilitation, nursing, and medicine. Major outcomes observed were coping with pain, stroke recovery, anxiety, coping with stress, and sport skills. Practitioner feedback from the PBRN revealed some interest but skepticism and time constraints were discussed as barriers. Conclusions Ongoing research and creative dissemination techniques are warranted.

Mental imagery‐based self‐regulation: Effects on physical activity behaviour and its cognitive and affective precursors over time

“…Mental imagery has been used to improve athletic skills and motivation and to help visualize physical activity‐related goal achievements (Martin, Moritz, & Hall, 1999). Mental imagery interventions have been used in several health‐related contexts, with the majority showing beneficial results (Giacobbi et al., 2017), including for physical activity (Conroy & Hagger, 2018). (Chan & Cameron, 2012) reported that self‐regulation interventions that incorporated approach imagery (i.e., attaining goals or behaviour) and process imagery (i.e., the steps one takes to achieve goals or behaviour) increased physical activity and cognitions over 4 weeks compared with interventions that included only process or neutral imagery.…”

“…Despite these promising findings, mental imagery studies represent a small proportion of behaviour change interventions (Conroy & Hagger, 2018; Giacobbi et al., 2017), and even fewer mental imagery‐based health behaviour change studies have also incorporated elements of self‐regulation theory (Chan & Cameron, 2012; Loft & Cameron, 2013). In addition, existing interventions are time‐intensive and may represent a major barrier to eventual uptake of interventions in a clinical setting.…”

Feasibility and Acceptability of Guided Imagery to Sequentially Address Multiple Health Behaviors During Pregnancy

“…One self‐management tool with evidence to support its use to address physical activity, food cravings, and mental health challenges is guided imagery 14–16 . Guided imagery is a quasiperceptual, multisensory, conscious experience that resembles the actual perception of some object or scene in the absence of external stimuli 17 .…”

“…Guided imagery is used to increase an individual's preparation and motivation toward a task, behavior, or health goal 14 . This cognitive technique has been used widely 16 but has not been tested with pregnant women as part of a multiple health behavior change intervention.…”

Overcoming the Binary Logic in Biculturalism

“…Interestingly, a popular exercise in meditation and stress prevention is to imagine a "safe" place (Giacobbi et al, 2017). A sense of belonging or feeling "home" could thus be a feeling inside the person that can also be carried into other contexts.…”