How We Do It: Imagery-Based Interventions in Cancer Care
Thursday, 20 September 2007 - 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
presented by Donald Sharp PhD, Leslie Walker PhD and Mary Walker

Target Audience: Clinicians in cancer care

Workshop Objectives:

1. To review the evidence base for the appropriate use of imagery-based interventions.

2. To provide participants with instruction in, and the opportunity to practice, imagery-based interventions.

Workshop Description:

Many patients experience distress following the diagnosis of cancer and wish to pursue methods which help them to feel more relaxed and in control, as well as minimising treatment side effects. Imagery-based techniques are among the interventions which can be used for this purpose. Imagery interventions have been used as "stand alone" procedures and have also been included as components of other interventions such as relaxation-based interventions or hypnotherapy.The suggested mechanisms of action of these interventions will be discussed along with the “non-specific factors;” for example a healing ritual, a helping relationship, hope, suggestion and expectation of change which may also be related to effectiveness.

The workshop will outline the clinical problems where the use of imagery-based interventions may be of benefit. The evidence base will be reviewed for the use of imagery-based interventions in problems such as treatment side effects, treatment-related anxiety, clinical procedure-related anxiety, and the management of symptoms such as pain and fatigue. We will review our previous and ongoing randomised controlled trials in this area and will outline the indications and contra-indications to the use of imagery-based interventions with cancer patients.

The workshop will employ didactic methods and demonstrate the use of imagery-based interventions using of video-taped examples. Participants will have the opportunity to practice the delivery of imagery-based interventions duirng the workshop. The workshop aims to provide a practical and informative introduction to the use of imagery-based interventions with people with cancer and to facilitate participants' subsequent use of these techniques in their clinical practices.