Using Relaxation and Guided Imagery to Address Pain, Fatigue, and Sleep Disturbances: A Pilot Study.
BACKGROUND
Few studies have been conducted on the use of patient-controlled relaxation and guided imagery interventions for the symptom cluster of pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance during cancer treatment.


OBJECTIVE
The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and participant satisfaction with use of patient-controlled relaxation and/or imagery interventions for pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance. A secondary aim was to examine the data for trends in pain, fatigue, and sleep improvement because of the effects of relaxation and guided imagery.


METHODS
Twelve adult patients with cancer were randomized to one of four groups.


RESULTS
Patients reported a high degree of satisfaction with the relaxation and guided imagery interventions. Patients in the relaxation and guided imagery or combined groups showed a trend toward improvement in fatigue and sleep disturbance scores. Pain remained a problem for the majority of patients. Difficulties in recruiting participants resulted in an insufficient sample size for generalizable findings. With hospital environments tending to be noisy, relaxation and guided imagery may facilitate rest and sleep for hospitalized patients. An examination of individual scores showed a trend toward improvement in sleep quality.
Oklahoma University Medical Center.
Angela K
AK
Nooner
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
Kathleen
K
Dwyer
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
Lise
L
DeShea
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
Theresa P
TP
Yeo
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019018:Imagery, Psychotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*
disease management; fatigue; guided imagery; insomnia; pain management; relaxation techniques