The Power of Guided Imagery

The use of imagination while evoking the relaxation response is known to create changes in mental and physiological processes. This process (also known as imagery or visualisation used in multiple modalities such as Yoga Nidra, self-hypnosis, relaxation response), used with progressive muscle relaxation is likely to promote greater belief and expectations to achieve healthy intentions. Studies show that guided imagery helps in reducing the symptoms of pain, anxiety and other mental health conditions.  It has also been used to enhance the sports performance and improve emotional regulation.

This talk covers how guided imagery can be used, the scientific evidence and some of the applications (e.g. in the SEE Protocol).

Facilitators: Riri Gunjan Trivedi & Gunjan Y Trivedi

When: Saturday, Dec 26, 6pm to 7pm (India Time)

Wellness Space has contributed following free discussions and experiential session as part of the initiative of IIPHG and partners for mental peace and wellbeing of patients in Covid Isolation. The above talk if part of that initiative to reach out to Covid isolation patients.

Further reading and references:

Guided imagery plays an important role in the SEE protocol for Self-hypnosis that we have designed and studies[1].

  • Guided imagery is particularly helpful for pain management and for reducing symptoms related to anxiety, stress and other mental health conditions[2].
  • Studies suggest that Guided imagery can reduce stress and elevate the immune system. (cell-specific imagery affects corresponding WBCs, neutrophils, or lymphocytes; decreases in WBC count occur in the initial stages of GI and relaxation due to fluctuations in WBC production or margination; and changes in WBC count or adherence occur earlier in medical patients[3].)
  • Useful in sports to enhance the performance and improve emotional regulation.

Scientific evidence (few examples):

  1. A study assigned 130 patients for colorectal surgical procedure into two groups, one group received routing perioperative care and the other group, in addition to the perioperative care, was given guided imagery recording 3 days prior to the surgery, during anaesthesia induction, intraoperatively and in post anaesthesia care unit and for 6 more days after surgery. The patients in the guided imagery group experienced considerably less preoperative and postoperative anxiety and pain, and they required almost 50% less narcotic medications after their surgical procedures than patients in the control group[4].
  2. Mental imagery, described as a mental experience that replicates a real experience is a key area of sport psychology literature and applied practice[5]. Early research concluded that using imagery to mentally practice a sport can improve both physical performance and its associated emotions[6].Due to its various benefits, imagery features in most mental skills training programs, where it is commonly used by sports coaches and practitioners as a supplement to athletes’ physical practice.
  3. Studies suggest that Guided imagery can reduce stress and elevate the immune system. (cell-specific imagery affects corresponding WBCs, neutrophils, or lymphocytes; decreases in WBC count occur in the initial stages of GI and relaxation due to fluctuations in WBC production or margination; and changes in WBC count or adherence occur earlier in medical patients. )

SEE Protocol (Self-hypnosis, Meditative Protocol)

[1] Trivedi, G. Y., Patel, V., Shah, M. H., Dhok, M. J., & Bhoyania, K. (2020). Comparative study of the impact of active meditation protocol and silence meditation on heart rate variability and mood in women. International Journal of Yoga, 13(3), 255.

[2] Hart, J. (2008). Guided imagery. Alternative and complementary therapies, 14(6), 295-299.

[3] Trakhtenberg, E. C. (2008). The effects of guided imagery on the immune system: A critical review. International Journal of Neuroscience, 118(6), 839-855.

[4] Tusek, D., Church, J. M., & Fazio, V. W. (1997). Guided imagery as a coping strategy for perioperative patients. AORN journal, 66(4), 644-649.

[5] White, A., & Hardy, L. (1998). An in-depth analysis of the uses of imagery by high-level slalom canoeists and artistic gymnasts. The Sport Psychologist, 12, 387–403.

[6] Feltz, D., & Landers, D. M. (1983). The effects of mental practice on motor skill learning and performance: A meta-analysis. Journal of Sport Psychology, 5, 25–57.