Guided imagery is a mind-body technique in which an individual, often directed by a practitioner or recording, generates and focuses on vivid mental images intended to influence physiological and psychological states. Frequently combined with relaxation, controlled breathing, and other sensory-focused methods, it is…
Guided imagery is a mind-body technique in which an individual, often directed by a practitioner or recording, generates and focuses on vivid mental images intended to influence physiological and psychological states. Frequently combined with relaxation, controlled breathing, and other sensory-focused methods, it is used to reduce stress and anxiety, modulate the perception of pain, and support coping during illness or recovery. The underlying rationale draws on the connection between mental representation and autonomic and neuroendocrine responses, whereby directed attention to calming or healing imagery can shift markers such as heart rate variability and subjective stress. As a component of complementary and integrative care, guided imagery is studied alongside related modalities including music therapy, sound-based interventions, and holistic nursing practices applied in settings such as intensive and palliative care. Research in this area examines effects on stress indices and physiological reactivity, the integration of imagery and relaxation into multidisciplinary quality-improvement and sleep programmes, and its role within broader therapeutic packages for diverse patient groups. The technique matters as a low-risk, non-pharmacological adjunct that can be deployed across clinical and community contexts to improve well-being and symptom control. The journal publishes peer-reviewed research on mind-body and integrative practices, including studies of their physiological correlates and clinical application.
12 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.
The 12 articles above have been cited 79 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.
A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Guided Imagery, linking to each citing work.