Guided imagery in patients with fibromyalgia.

Objectives:
To investigate the effects of a 4-week intervention of guided imagery on pain level, functional status, and self-efficacy in persons with fibromyalgia.


Design:
Longitudinal, prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial.


Setting and subjects:
The sample includes people diagnosed with fibromyalgia ≤6 years (American College of Rheumatology) who are able to travel, sit 1,5 hours and have sufficient hearing.


Intervention:
Participants randomized to Guided Imagery (GI) receive two 1,5 hour group sessions, including: group conversation, a set of four guided imagery exercises on cd and instructions how to use at least one exercise daily for 4 weeks. Participants randomized to the control groups receive two 1,5 hour group sessions with group conversation.


Measures:
All participants complete daily pain VAS-scales. The Chronic Pain Self-Efficacy Scale and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire are completed at baseline, 4, and 10 weeks.

Guided imagery will have positive effects on pain, self-efficacy and functional status of patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

1. Pain: daily during 4 weeks;

2. Self-efficacy and functional status:

A. Pre-intervention (pre-test);

B. After 4 weeks (post-test);

C. After 10 weeks (follow-up).

EXPERIMENTAL

1. Two 1,5 hour group sessions: group conversation, instruction about Guided Imagery (GI), distribution of cd with GI exercises;

2. 1 or 2 GI exercises per day during 4 weeks.



CONTROL

Two 1,5 hour group sessions: group conversation.



Guided Imagery has been defined as a dynamic, psychophysiologic process in which a person is guided to imagine, and experience, an internal reality in the absence of external stimuli. A person who uses imagery may experience an affective, behavioural or physiologic (i.e., psychophysiologic) response without a real stimulus event. In this way mental imagery may be used to alter one's physiologic process, mental state, self-image, performance, or behavior.