Mind-body imagery practice among Alaska breast cancer patients: a case study.

Full Abstract

PURPOSE:
To explicate patient-reported imagery themes derived from a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-funded clinical trial demonstrating statistical and clinical improvements in patient quality of life.

PATIENTS AND METHOD:
A case-study evaluation of six breast cancer patients who completed conventional care (surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation) for at least six weeks before participating in an intervention utilizing imagery as adjuvant care.

RESULTS:
Thematic analysis revealed six imagery themes:
(1) physical sensations in the body; (2) descriptions of health and wellbeing; (3) imagery of the natural environment; (4) imagery of colors associated with health; (5) reports of sounds associated with healing; and (6) experiences of taste and smell during imagery practice.

CONCLUSIONS:
Patients report that once the cancer is 'cured,' the long-term repercussions of cancer and its treatments are overlooked by physicians and caregivers. Imagery for 'meaning-making,' as experienced in this study, is a potent skill for supporting optimal patient recovery.

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Author information

Author/s: Freeman, Lyn (L); Dirks, Lisa (L);

Affiliation: Mind Matters Research, Anchorage, AK 99507, USA. lfreeman(-atsign-)gci.net

Grants: 1 R43 CA117597-01 (Agency:NCI NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Case Reports; Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Journal: Alaska medicine (Alaska Med), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2006 Oct-Dec; vol 48 (issue 3) : pp 74-84

Dates: Created 2007/02/26; Completed 2007/03/27; Revised 2007/12/03;

PMID: 17319372, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Alaska
Attitude to Health
Breast Neoplasms - psychology; therapy
Female
Humans

Imagery (Psychotherapy)
Perception
Qualitative Research
Quality of Life - psychology
Survivors - psychology

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