Mind-body imagery practice among Alaska breast cancer patients: a case study.
OBJECTIVE
To explicate patient-reported imagery themes derived from a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-funded clinical trial demonstrating statistical and clinical improvements in patient quality of life.


METHODS
A case-study evaluation of six breast cancer patients who completed conventional care (surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation) for at least six weeks before participating in an intervention utilizing imagery as adjuvant care.


RESULTS
Thematic analysis revealed six imagery themes: (1) physical sensations in the body; (2) descriptions of health and wellbeing; (3) imagery of the natural environment; (4) imagery of colors associated with health; (5) reports of sounds associated with healing; and (6) experiences of taste and smell during imagery practice.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients report that once the cancer is 'cured,' the long-term repercussions of cancer and its treatments are overlooked by physicians and caregivers. Imagery for 'meaning-making,' as experienced in this study, is a potent skill for supporting optimal patient recovery.
Freeman
Lyn
L
Mind Matters Research, Anchorage, AK 99507, USA. lfreeman@gci.net
Dirks
Lisa
L
D000413:Alaska; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019018:Imagery, Psychotherapy; D010465:Perception; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology