Effects of guided imagery and music (GIM) therapy on mood and cortisol in healthy adults.
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.
McKinney
C H
CH
Department of Music Education/Music Therapy, University of Miami, USA. mckinnych@appstate.edu
Antoni
M H
MH
Kumar
M
M
Tims
F C
FC
McCabe
P M
PM
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
D006854:Hydrocortisone