Cancer

by | Cancer

The UCSF Mt. Zion Infusion Center study of chemotherapy patients revealed that guided imagery performed significantly better than relaxation techniques, and that after only one session of personalized imagery, patients had less anxiety and felt more excited and hopeful about their treatment.

Psychiatrist F. Fawzy at UCLA studied newly diagnosed patients with malignant melanoma who participated in 6-weeks of stress management, coping strategies, relaxation skills and their survival outcomes, immune function and psychological function dramatically improved over randomized control group. “Malignant Melanoma: Effects of an early structured psychiatric intervention, coping, and affective state on recurrence and survival 6 years later,” Archives of General Psychiatry, 1990, 1990, and 1993, respectively; the manual entitled, “A Structured Psychoeducational Intervention for Cancer Patients”.

Ohio State University Medical Center researchers found that people with cancer who used imaging while receiving chemotherapy felt more relaxed, better prepared for their treatment and more positive about care than those who didn’t use the technique. Several studies suggest that imagery can also boost your immunity. Danish researchers found increased natural killer cell activity among ten college students who imagined that their immune systems were becoming more effective.

Dr. Christina Liossi – University of Wales, Swansea, suggested there is tentative evidence that hypnosis prolongs the lives of cancer patients. Evidence was presented that hypnosis is a genuine physical state and that people are not simply deceiving themselves into thinking they are hypnosis. Individual who are easily hypnotized show changes in the left frontal cortex of the brain and a structure called the cingulated gyrus when viewed through an fMRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scanner. The frontal lobe is concerned with our planning, our future actions, our analysis of the here and now, our critical evaluation and the things we do so we don’t make silly mistakes,” said Dr. John Gruzelier of Imperial College, London. If you understand what hypnosis is asking: go with the flow and don’t critically analyze what you are doing. Research presented at the BA Festival of Science in Exeter

Other studies for cancer:

  • Baider, L Uziely B, et al (1994). Progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery in cancer patients. General Hospital Psychiatry, 16, 340-347.
  • Bakke AC, Purtzer MZ, Newton P. The effect of hypnotic-guided imagery on psychological well-being and immune function in patients with prior breast cancer. J Psychosom Res. 2002 Dec;53(6):1131-7.
  • Bridge LR, Benson P, Pietroni PC, Priest RG. Relaxation and imagery in the treatment of breast cancer. BMJ. 1988 Nov 5;297(6657):1169-72.
  • Cannici J, Malcolm R, Peek LA. Treatment of insomnia in cancer patients using muscle relaxation training. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 1983 Sep;14(3): 251-6.
  • Caruso P. A Comparison of Guided Imagery Techniques with Chemotherapy Patients. Doctoral Dissertation, California School of Professional Psychology, Alameda, California 1999.
  • Christman NJ, Cain LB. The effects of concrete objective information and relaxation on maintaining usual activity during radiation therapy. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2004 Mar-Apr;31(2):E39-45.
  • Cruess DG, Antoni MH, McGregor BA, et al. Cognitive-behavioral stress management reduces serum cortisol by enhancing benefit finding among women being treated for early stage breast cancer. Psychosom Med. 2000 May-Jun;62(3):304-8.
  • Deng G, Cassileth BR. Integrative oncology: complementary therapies for pain, anxiety, and mood disturbances. CA Cancer J Clin. 2005 Mar-Apr;55(2):109-16.
  • Devine EC. Meta-analysis of the effect of psychoeducational interventions on pain in adults with cancer. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2003 Jan-Feb;30(1):75-89.
  • Given C, Given B, Rahbar M, Jeon S, et al. Effect of a cognitive behavioral intervention on reducing symptom severity during chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol. 2004 Feb 1;22(3):507-16.
  • Greer S, Moorey S, Baruch JD, Watson M, Robertson BM, Mason A, Rowden L, Law MG, Bliss JM. Adjuvant psychological therapy for patients with cancer: a prospective randomised trial. BMJ. 1992 Mar 14;304(6828):675-80.
  • Gruzelier JH. A review of the impact of hypnosis, relaxation, guided imagery and individual differences on aspects of immunity and health. Stress. 2002; 5(2): 147-163.
  • Hagopian GA. The effects of informational audiotapes on knowledge and self-care behaviors of patients undergoing radiation therapy. Oncol Nurs Forum.1996 May;23(4):697-700.
  • Helge TD. A Comparison of Three Audio Guided Imagery Tapes on the Self Efficacy of Cancer Chemotherapy Patients. Doctoral Dissertation, California School of Professional Psychology, Alameda, California. 1999.
  • Hidderley M, Holt M. A pilot randomized trial assessing the effects of autogenic training in early stage cancer patients in relation to psychological status and immune system responses. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2004 Mar;8(1):61-5.
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  • Montgomery GH, Weltz CR, Seltz M, Bovbjerg DH. Brief presurgery hypnosis reduces distress and pain in excisional breast biopsy patients. Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2002 Jan;50(1):17-32.
  • Morrow GR, Morrell C. Behavioral treatment for the anticipatory nausea and vomiting induced by cancer chemotherapy. NEJM, 1982 307; 1476-80.
  • Mundy EA, DuHamel KN, Montgomery GH. The efficacy of behavioral interventions for cancer treatment-related side effects. Semin Clin Neuropsychiatry. 2003 Oct;8(4):253-75.
  • Post-White, J. (1993). The effects of imagery on emotions, immune function, and cancer outcome. Mainlines, 14(10):18-20.
  • Redd WH, Rosenberger PH, Hendler CS. Controlling chemotherapy side effects. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis. 1982-1983 25 (2-3); 161-72.
  • Richardson MA, Post-White J, et al. Coping, life attitudes and immune response to imagery and group support after breast cancer treatment. Alternative in Health and Medicine 1997. Sep; Vol. 3, No. 5.
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  • Roffe L, Schmidt K, Ernst E., A systematic review of guided imagery as an adjuvant cancer therapy. Psychooncology. 2005 Aug; 14(8):07-17.
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  • Shulka Y, Pal SK. Complementary and alternative cancer therapies: past, present and the future scenario. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2004 Jan-Mar;5(1):3-14.
  • Simeit R, Deck R, Conta-Marx B. Sleep management training for cancer patients with insomnia. Support Care Cancer. 2004 Mar;12(3):176-83. Epub 2004 Feb 4.
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  • Steggles S. The use of cognitive-behavioral treatment including hypnosis for claustrophobia in cancer patients. Am J Clin Hypn. 1999 Apr;41(4):319-26.
  • Syrjala KL, Cummings C, Donaldson GW. Hypnosis or cognitive behavioral training for the reduction of pain and nausea during cancer treatment: a controlled clinical trial. Pain. 1992 Feb;48(2):137-46.
  • Syrjala KL, Donaldson GW, Davis MW, Kippes ME, Carr JE. Relaxation and imagery and cognitive-behavioral training reduce pain during cancer treatment: a controlled clinical trial. Pain.1995 Nov;63(2):189-98.
  • Trakhtenberg EC. The effect of guided imagery on the immune system: a critical review. Studies suggest that GI can reduce stress and elevate the immune system. Int J. Neurosci. 2008 June; 118(6):839-55.
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