Bridging the gap between mind and body: a biobehavioral model of the effects of guided imagery on pain, pain disability, and depression.

Chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) is a common and complex disorder associated with declines in physical health and functional status, emotional well-being, and quality of life. To best address the complexity of this condition, research and clinical practice for CNCP should be guided by a framework incorporating both biologic and psychologic factors. This article presents a biobehavioral model of chronic pain that hypothesizes mechanisms related to the effectiveness of a complementary therapy, guided imagery (GI), for this population.

Guided imagery for non-musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials.

Context: Our previous review of the literature concluded that there is encouraging evidence that guided imagery alleviates musculoskeletal pain, but the value of guided imagery in the management of non-musculoskeletal pain remains uncertain.

Objectives: The objective of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of guided imagery as a treatment option for non-musculoskeletal pain.

Methods: Six databases were searched from their inception to February 2011.

Biological mechanisms related to the effectiveness of guided imagery for chronic pain.

Specific aims of this pilot study were to (a) determine the effect of a guided imagery (GI) intervention over an 8-week period on pain and pain disability in a sample of persons with chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) and (b) analyze the mediating effects of neuroendocrine and neuroimmune functioning on the effectiveness of GI on outcome variables. A simple interrupted time-series design (12-week period) was used. GI was introduced at Week 4 and used daily by 25 participants for the remaining 8 weeks.

The bridge: providing nursing care for survivors of sexual violence.

Purpose: To describe the experiences of nurses who provide care for survivors of sexual violence (SV) on a number of different types of hospital units.

Data Sources: Semi-structured interviews of 23 unit managers and 12 advanced practice nurses from four tertiary care hospitals were audiotaped and transcribed. Participants were asked to describe how they screen for SV and how they provide care for survivors.

Feasibility trial of guided imagery and control interventions in mock subjects.

This article reports a Phase I feasibility trial of a guided imagery intervention in 20 healthy volunteers. Structural equivalence of a placebo control intervention of listening to audio book segments was evaluated. Content analysis of participant journals and exit interviews suggest suitability and acceptability of both the guided imagery and control interventions.

Substantive areas of clinical nurse specialist practice: a comprehensive review of the literature.

Aim: A comprehensive review of the literature was performed to describe the substantive clinical areas of clinical nurse specialist (CNS) practice.

Background: There is lack of understanding about the role of CNSs. Debates over blending CNS and nurse practitioner roles are common, as are questions and uncertainties about new models of advanced practice nursing endorsed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Chronic pain and the family: theory-driven treatment approaches.

The chronic pain experience is the product of a complex interaction of many factors including biological, social, psychological, environmental, and familial. The presence of chronic pain can impact the family system with significant, negative consequences; the family may also be responsible, in part, for maintaining and perpetuating pain problems. The need to examine the family dimension of the chronic pain experience and offer family/couple therapy, should it be indicated, is vital to comprehensive pain management.

Changes in the meaning of pain with the use of guided imagery.

The purpose of this study is to determine how verbal descriptions of pain change with the use of a guided imagery technique. A mixed method, concurrent nested design was used. Participants in the treatment group used the guided imagery technique over a consecutive 4-day period, and those in the control group were monitored.

Patterning of pain and power with guided imagery.

Using Martha Rogers' science of unitary human beings, changes in pain and power among 42 patients were examined in relation to the use of a guided imagery modality. Participants were randomly assigned to treatment and control groups and repeated measures MANCOVA was used to detect differences in pain and power over a 4-day period of time. The treatment group's pain decreased during the last 2 days of the study.

Psychological factors in chronic pain: a worthwhile undertaking for nursing?

Chronic pain is one of the clearest examples of the complex relationship between the mind, body, spirit, and environment. After decades of research, a growing body of evidence supports the importance of certain psychological factors in the chronic pain experience. This article reviews research related to evaluating the role of depression, personality factors, pain-related beliefs, trauma, and coping style in the chronic pain experience.