Effectiveness of Guided Imagery on Intensity of Pain and Quality of Life among Patients with Cancer in a Selected Hospital at Mangalore

Pain continues to be a prevalent symptom experienced by cancer patients. Guided Imagery (GI), a cognitive behavioural pain management strategy, involves the use of one's imagination which may modulate pain by distraction and improve the sense of wellbeing. This study aimed at finding out the effectiveness of GI on intensity of pain and Quality of Life (QoL) of patients with cancer. An evaluatory approach with one group pre-test post-test pre-experimental design used for the study. Thirty cancer patients aged between 20–70 years with pain ?2 on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were selected using purposive sampling technique. GI was administered after the assessment of preintervention intensity of pain and QoL by using VAS, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy- General (Modified) Scale (FACT-G) respectively. Intensity of pain was measured before and after intervention twice a day for 5 days and post-intervention QoL was assessed on fifth day evening after the intervention using the same tool. The mean post-intervention intensity of pain score was lower than mean pre-intervention intensity of pain score over a period of 5 days (p<0.05), both in the morning and evening. The mean post-intervention QoL score was higher than the mean preintervention QoL score (p<0.05). GI is an effective strategy in reducing the intensity of pain and improving the QoL of cancer patients. GI may be easily integrated into bedside nursing as well as in various clinical settings. GI is a low-cost method in relieving psychological and physiological distress.