title: Effects of guided imagery and music (GIM) therapy on mood and cortisol in healthy adults.
abstract: Healthy adults (N = 28) participated in a randomized trial of Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM; a depth approach to music psychotherapy) sessions on mood and cortisol. Participants in both GIM and wait-list control conditions completed the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and donated 15 cc of blood before and after the 13-week intervention period and again at a 6-week follow-up. Split-plot factorial and post hoc analyses demonstrated that after 6 biweekly sessions GIM participants reported significant decreases between pre- and postsession depression, fatigue, and total mood disturbance and had significant decreases in cortisol level by follow-up. Pretest to follow-up decrease in cortisol was significantly associated with decrease in mood disturbance. A short series of GIM sessions may positively affect mood and reduce cortisol levels in healthy adults. Such changes in hormonal regulation may have health implications for chronically stressed people.
authors.affiliation: Department of Music Education/Music Therapy, University of Miami, USA. mckinnych@appstate.edu
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: McKinney
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Antoni
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: F C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Tims
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: McCabe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D019018:Imagery, Psychotherapy; D008297:Male; D009147:Music Therapy; D012016:Reference Values; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone