King, K. (2010). A review of the effects of guided imagery on cancer patients with pain. Complementary Health Practice Review, 15, 98–107.

To review the effects of guided imagery on patients with cancer experiencing pain

The type of report was systematic review.

Databases searched were PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library.

Search keywords were guided imagery, cancer pain, and systematic review.

Studies were included if they were review articles published in English since 1985; the search was not limited to randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Studies were excluded if they were clinical trials or systematic reviews that did not utilize guided imagery as an intervention, did not specifically investigate cancer pain, were not a clinical study but rather a summary of guided imagery, had a qualitative design, and were not conducted within the study time frame.

In order to focus on the most current research, this review targeted articles published during 2001–2008.

• A final number of five clinical trials were identified that included pain as either a primary or secondary outcome measure.
• Sample range across studies was 40–66 patients.
• The sample included three RCTs, one group pre/post-test design, and one RCT crossover design.

Five studies included pain as either a primary or secondary outcome measure. In three of those, pain intensity and pain-related distress decreased in the guided imagery intervention versus control for pain intensity and pain-related distress, average pain score decreased, and there was a decrease in body discomfort.

It is difficult to give concrete recommendations that guided imagery will work for all patients who suffer from cancer pain. However, based on the information from these reviews, guided imagery can be recommended as a potential aid in the relief of pain associated with cancer.

Inconsistencies and limitations included the small sample size, different patient populations, different scripts, and frequency of medication administration.

There is inconsistency in the methodological qualities of these trials. Further research is necessary to provide better evidence for the use of guided imagery in cancer pain.