Active Despite Pain: Patient Experiences With Guided Imagery With Relaxation Compared to Planned Rest

Inadequate pain control remains a threat to the quality of life of patients with cancer. Guided imagery with relaxation (GIR) is a mind-body therapy that has shown promise in reducing chronic pain. This article discusses a qualitative, descriptive study for which the objective was to compare the experiences of patients with cancer with reported pain using GIR compared to planned rest.

At a Glance

• Patients with cancer who report pain often have ongoing pain despite active pain management strategies.
• Patients with cancer often carry out many activities of daily living in the presence of cancer pain.
• Guided imagery with relaxation, which involves use of the imagination to create mental images to alter pain experiences, may reduce cancer pain.