Effectiveness of guided imagery in terms of cancer pain and perceived stress among patients with cancer

Volume 1, Issue 2 (Sept-Nov 2025)

Authors: Sumathy Masanam Kasi

DOI: doi.org/10.64848/WJST.1.2.2025.91-97

Page No: 91-97

Keywords: Guided imagery, Cancer, Pain, Stress

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Abstract

Background: The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that cancer accounts for 13% of global deaths. For cancer survivors, pain and stress significantly debilitate their quality of life, interfering with daily activities and the healing process. While the negative impact of these symptoms is welldocumented, there is limited research on the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions in the Indian context. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a guided imagery intervention in reducing cancer-related pain and perceived stress among Stage II cancer patients receiving radiation therapy at a cancer institute in Trichy. Methods: A pre-experimental study with a pre-test and post-test design was conducted using a convenience sample of 30 patients. Each patient received a 15-minute guided imagery session with music daily for one week. Pain and perceived stress were measured using the Pain Numerical Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale, respectively, on the 7th day following the intervention. Results: Before the intervention, the sample reported mild to moderate pain (63.3% mild, 36.6% moderate) and a high prevalence of severe stress (80%). After one week of intervention, a notable improvement was observed, with 100% of patients reporting mild pain and the percentage of patients with severe stress decreasing to 60%. Paired t-tests showed a statistically significant reduction in both pain (t=11.21, p<0.01) and perceived stress (t=7.14, p<0.05) levels, indicating the guided imagery was effective. Conclusion: The findings suggest that guided imagery is an effective and viable nonpharmacological intervention for reducing pain and perceived stress in cancer patients. This highlights the potential for integrating guided imagery into standard care protocols to improve patient outcomes and overall quality of life.