I’ve been looking at the research and pondering how far we’ve come from those early days when we were first learning about guided imagery as a possible, bona fide addition to the cancer treatment toolkit.
Back in the 80’s when guided imagery was first getting promoted by Bernie Siegel, Stephanie & Carl Simonton, Jeanne Achterberg and Frank Lawlis, there was a lot of excitement about its potential. Early pilot studies showed a lot of promise (early studies often do – perhaps because of the excitement the investigators feel about their intervention), and there was a lot of talk about how ‘visualization’ could wipe out cancer cells. People were encouraged to imagine Pac-Men, a popular video game at the time, eating up cancer cells, before, during and after chemotherapy.
In those days, the imagery was strictly visual – the other senses were not called into play – and that made it hard for the half of the population that’s not especially well wired for visual memory or fantasy. We’ve since learned that all the senses need to be brought to bear, and that perhaps the most potent and impactful sense is the kinesthetic one – imagining the feel of things inside the body. We also figured out that for most people, when the imagery has a strong emotional flavor to it, it gets potentiated to a greater extent and has more impact.
The research at that time showed that the proponents of visualization were over-promising. These early visualizations helped cancer patients with motivation, coping, anxiety and the side effects of chemotherapy and other medical procedures but didn’t make a dent on the progress of the cancer itself. Investigators reluctantly backed off from their ambitious early claims and stuck with side-effects and coping benefits.
But fast forward to just a few years ago and you’ll find more sophisticated, powerful imagery and randomized, controlled clinical trials that are a lot more nuanced and scientific. Blood assays have in fact been revealing the immuno-modulatory effects of relaxation training and guided imagery. In 2009, Eremin, Walker et al, demonstrated significant differences for breast cancer patients in the number of CD25+ (activated T cells), CD56+ (LAK cells) and the number of CD3+ (mature) T cells.
Additionally, those who rated their imagery highly had significantly altered their NK, LAK cell activity and IL1beta levels. Also, their relaxation scores correlated with their number of CD4+ (T helper) cells, the CD4+:8+ (helper:cytotoxic) ratio, and IL1beta levels. Bottom line: their bodies’ cellular defenses responded significantly during and after treatment for cancer, making guided imagery a valuable adjuvant therapy.
In other words, we’ve come full circle. Those early claims are starting to look a lot more justified, although more work needs to be done to consistently establish this, and then to break down what it is about the imagery that potentiates these effects – were they there all along, and we just weren’t doing fancy enough blood tests to show it? Or has the imagery itself gotten better, and if so, in what ways?
So stay tuned. We’re on the cusp of finding out a lot of useful things in this here decade.
Take care and be well,
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... written by Charlotte Wytias, RN, MS, FNP,
June 28, 2011
Just in time, you sent this just in time.....(old song)!! :) I've just been preparing a grant proposal for a Yoga & Art Therapy program for women surviving cancer. This new information will give more backup for our program objectives. Thanks And, thanks for the Preparing for Surgery CD...it made a huge difference as I prepared for 2 new knees. And I have gotten the CD for my sister and a couple of friends who were sooo grateful. So, thanks from us!
... written by Lara Krawchuk,
June 28, 2011
Thank you for all your great work in the field of cancer and imagery! I have been teaching and recommending your CDs for years and they have helped soooo many cancer patients gets through a very difficult time!
... written by Lynn Purse,
June 30, 2011
Wonderful update but where does that leave those of us who need help now? While not in active chemotherapy, I NEED some support for dealing with possibilities of cancer recovery. What is available and pertinent? I have found little in the catalog that addresses this ongoing need for those with a cancer diagnosis but with varying treatments besides chemo, etc.
... written by Belleruth,
July 03, 2011
Lynne, there is my Immune System imagery and General Wellness imagery, both of which deal with eliminating unhealthy cells; there is Emmett Miller's track on immune system health, which you can find on either his Optimizing Chemo or Optimizing Radiation programs; and any general relaxation or de-stressing imagery, which also has a positive impact on the immune system.
... written by Donna,
July 07, 2011
Not surprisingly, but happily, science backs up intuition once more.... great to have the science to back up what you knew in your gut to be true all along... Funny how our insides can know what works and has value long before a scientific 'snapshot' can be taken to 'prove it'... wondering if the snapshot makes us trust that intuition MORE or LESS? Just my mind rambling early on a summer morning. I adore your work Belleruth...
Hello again.
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And, thanks for the Preparing for Surgery CD...it made a huge difference as I prepared for 2 new knees. And I have gotten the CD for my sister and a couple of friends who were sooo grateful. So, thanks from us!