Researchers at Purdue University School of Nursing conducted a randomized, controlled, longitudinal, clinical trial pilot study to determine whether Guided Imagery (GI) with Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) would reduce pain and mobility difficulties of women with osteoarthritis. Twenty-eight older women with OA were randomly assigned to either the treatment or the control group. The treatment consisted of listening twice a day to a 10-to-15-minute audiotaped script that guided the women in GI with PMR.

Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a significant difference between the two groups in the amount of change in pain and mobility difficulties they experienced over 12 weeks. The treatment group reported a significant reduction in pain and mobility difficulties at week 12 as compared to the control group. Members of the control group reported no differences in pain and non-significant increases in mobility difficulties.

The results of this pilot study justify further investigation of the effectiveness of GI with PMR as a self-management intervention to reduce pain and mobility difficulties associated with OA.

Citation: Baird CL, Sands L. A pilot study of the effectiveness of guided imagery with progressive muscle relaxation to reduce chronic pain and mobility difficulties of osteoarthritis. Pain Management and Nursing. 2004 Sep; 5 (3): pages 97-104. clbaird@nursing.purdue.edu

Posted: 11/01/2006



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