title: Coping with Work-Related Stress through Guided Imagery and Music (GIM): Randomized Controlled Trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Long-term stress-related sick leave constitutes a serious health threat and an economic burden on both the single worker and the society. Effective interventions for the rehabilitation and facilitation of return to work are needed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to examine the effects of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM), a psychotherapy intervention including relaxation, music listening, and imagery, on biopsychosocial measures of work-related stress.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty Danish workers on sick leave were randomized to music therapy versus wait-list control. Data collection was carried out at an occupational health ward in the period 2008-2010. Changes in salivary cortisol, testosterone, and melatonin were explored, and self-reported data on psychological stress symptoms (perceived stress, mood disturbance, sleep quality, physical distress symptoms, work readiness, well-being, anxiety, depression, immediate stress) were collected. Data regarding sick leave situation and job return were collected from participants throughout the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant beneficial effects of GIM compared to wait-list after nine weeks with large effect sizes were found in well-being, mood disturbance, and physical distress, and in cortisol concentrations with a medium effect size. A comparison between early and late intervention as related to the onset of sick leave showed faster job return and significantly improved perceived stress, well-being, mood disturbance, depression, anxiety, and physical distress symptoms in favor of early intervention. In the whole sample, 83% of the participants had returned to work at nine weeks' follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that GIM is a promising treatment for work-related chronic stress, and further studies are recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication, Aalborg University, Denmark Department of Public Health, Copenhagen University, affiliated to the National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Denmark GAMUT-The Grieg Academy Music Therapy Research Centre, Uni Research Health, Uni Research, Bergen, Norway bolette@hum.aau.dk.
authors.forename: Bolette Daniels
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication, Aalborg University, Denmark Department of Public Health, Copenhagen University, affiliated to the National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Denmark GAMUT-The Grieg Academy Music Therapy Research Centre, Uni Research Health, Uni Research, Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Åse Marie
authors.initials: ÅM
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication, Aalborg University, Denmark Department of Public Health, Copenhagen University, affiliated to the National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Denmark GAMUT-The Grieg Academy Music Therapy Research Centre, Uni Research Health, Uni Research, Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gold
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003718:Denmark; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D019018:Imagery, Psychotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009146:Music / Q000523:psychology; D009147:Music Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods; D018582:Sick Leave; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014850:Waiting Lists
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone