Efficacy of guided imagery with theta music for advanced cancer patients with dyspnea: a pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Dyspnea is a frequent and devastating symptom among advanced cancer patients for which improved and low-cost palliative techniques are needed.


METHODS
A one-group repeated measures research design investigated the efficacy of guided imagery (GI) with theta music (M) on dyspnea in advanced cancer patients. The intervention consisted of four periods: (a) pretest; (b) intervention with peaceful non-M; (c) intervention with 10 min of GI with M (GI/M), with the first and last 3 min being M only (i.e., the middle 4 min was GI/M); and (d) posttest. Dyspnea outcome was measured with the Modified Borg Scale (MBS) for self-reported evaluation of dyspneic symptoms. Physiological parameters measured were pulse oxygen saturation (SpO(2)), end-tidal CO( 2) (EtCO(2)), heart rate (HR), and respiratory rate (RR). Posttest qualitative data were obtained via interview for subjective patient experience.


RESULTS
Participants included 53 patients, 33% with lung cancer. GI/M produced a significant decrease in MBS scores; 90% of the subjects gave positive qualitative reviews of GI/M. SpO(2) did not change significantly over time. GI/M significantly increased EtCO(2), decreased RR, and decreased HR.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that GI/M is a useful intervention for palliative care of patients with dyspnea. M alone was demonstrated to be effective, while soothing non-M was not effective. GI/M was more effective than M alone. GI/M should be considered low-cost end-of-life palliative care for dyspnea.
Lai
Wei-Shu
WS
Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng-Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Chao
Co-Shi Chantal
CS
Yang
Wan-Ping
WP
Chen
Ching-Huey
CH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019018:Imagery, Psychotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010166:Palliative Care; D010865:Pilot Projects