Guided imagery, mind-body strategies may improve quality of life for patients with diabetes
Friday, Aug. 9, 9:45 a.m.
PHILADELPHIA — Several highlights from this year’s American Association of Diabetes Educators Annual Meeting and Exhibition include new strategies to improve management of diabetes. In particular, one keynote speaker explored the concept of using guided imagery to help patients with diabetes.
Linda E. Sartor, RD, MA, CDE, LDN, RYT, explores more in this blog post.
What's the most effective therapy you can give your overwhelmed, stressed out, and depressed patients to improve their health? Guided imagery and mind- body strategies! Really, you say? Who knew!
These techniques are used by the US Army and US Marine Corps to deal with depression and posttraumatic stress disorders, elite athletes to improve performance and even the average Joe/ Josephine to deal with anxiety-based behaviors. It's the "lazy man's meditation." It's low-cost, and everyone can do it.
Tons of current randomized, controlled studies confirm that, as endorphins are raised, patients with diabetes have lower blood glucose and HbA1c levels, improved depression and neuropathy, and a better sense of well-being and quality of life.
Friday, Aug. 9, 9:45 a.m.
PHILADELPHIA — Several highlights from this year’s American Association of Diabetes Educators Annual Meeting and Exhibition include new strategies to improve management of diabetes. In particular, one keynote speaker explored the concept of using guided imagery to help patients with diabetes.
Linda E. Sartor, RD, MA, CDE, LDN, RYT, explores more in this blog post.
What's the most effective therapy you can give your overwhelmed, stressed out, and depressed patients to improve their health? Guided imagery and mind- body strategies! Really, you say? Who knew!
These techniques are used by the US Army and US Marine Corps to deal with depression and posttraumatic stress disorders, elite athletes to improve performance and even the average Joe/ Josephine to deal with anxiety-based behaviors. It's the "lazy man's meditation." It's low-cost, and everyone can do it.
Tons of current randomized, controlled studies confirm that, as endorphins are raised, patients with diabetes have lower blood glucose and HbA1c levels, improved depression and neuropathy, and a better sense of well-being and quality of life.
- Linda E. Sartor, RD, MA, CDE, LDN, RYT, is a nutrition specialist at the Penn Rodebaugh Diabetes Center in Philadelphia. Sartor reports no relevant financial disclosures.
Imagery Defined
This definition comes from Dr. Jeanne Achterberg by way
of Imagery International's website.
When we use the word “imagery” we honor the definition put forth by one of our dearly missed mentors,
Dr. Jeanne Achterberg, who recently passed away. She stated it well by saying that when we refer to “imagery,” we mean
“the thought process that invokes the senses: vision, audition, smell, taste, the sense of movement, position, and touch. It is the communication mechanism between perception, emotion, and bodily change. A major cause of both health and sickness, the image is the world’s greatest healing resource. Imagery, or the stuff of the imagination, affects the body intimately on both seemingly mundane and profound levels” (Imagery and Healing: Shamanism and Modern Medicine, p. 3 – Jeanne Achterberg, 1985)
The Academy for Guided Imagery includes a page on their website that cites specific research about imagery and specific conditions. You can find it here
Here is a list from The Academy for Guided Imagery's website of many of the clinical applications of imagery
• Acute and chronic pain relief
• Addictions
• Anxiety, phobias, and panic disorders
• Cancer treatment and life-threatening illness
• Chronic pain control and management
• Couples and relationship counseling
• Depression
• Family and parenting issues
• Fertility, birthing, and delivery
• Fitness training
• Grief therapy
• Headache management
• Immune augmentation
• Issues of aging
• Managing chronic illness and preventing acute exacerbations
• Meaning and purpose
• Medication compliance and adherence issues
• Mind/body issues
• Post-traumatic stress disorders
• Preparation for surgery and medical procedures
• Relaxation training
• Sleep disorders
• Smoking cessation
• Spirituality
• Stress reduction and management
• Survivors of abuse and trauma
• Teaching self-care
• Terminal illness and end of life care
• Weight control
This definition comes from Dr. Jeanne Achterberg by way
of Imagery International's website.
When we use the word “imagery” we honor the definition put forth by one of our dearly missed mentors,
Dr. Jeanne Achterberg, who recently passed away. She stated it well by saying that when we refer to “imagery,” we mean
“the thought process that invokes the senses: vision, audition, smell, taste, the sense of movement, position, and touch. It is the communication mechanism between perception, emotion, and bodily change. A major cause of both health and sickness, the image is the world’s greatest healing resource. Imagery, or the stuff of the imagination, affects the body intimately on both seemingly mundane and profound levels” (Imagery and Healing: Shamanism and Modern Medicine, p. 3 – Jeanne Achterberg, 1985)
The Academy for Guided Imagery includes a page on their website that cites specific research about imagery and specific conditions. You can find it here
Here is a list from The Academy for Guided Imagery's website of many of the clinical applications of imagery
• Acute and chronic pain relief
• Addictions
• Anxiety, phobias, and panic disorders
• Cancer treatment and life-threatening illness
• Chronic pain control and management
• Couples and relationship counseling
• Depression
• Family and parenting issues
• Fertility, birthing, and delivery
• Fitness training
• Grief therapy
• Headache management
• Immune augmentation
• Issues of aging
• Managing chronic illness and preventing acute exacerbations
• Meaning and purpose
• Medication compliance and adherence issues
• Mind/body issues
• Post-traumatic stress disorders
• Preparation for surgery and medical procedures
• Relaxation training
• Sleep disorders
• Smoking cessation
• Spirituality
• Stress reduction and management
• Survivors of abuse and trauma
• Teaching self-care
• Terminal illness and end of life care
• Weight control
Guided imagery may be powerful therapy for patients with diabetes
www.healio.com
Healio Endocrinology Highlights from AADE 2013 August 9, 2013
PHILADELPHIA — Guided imagery can lower HbA1c levels, reduce depressive symptoms and decrease neuropathy in patients with diabetes, keynote speaker Belleruth Naparstek, LISW, BCD, psychotherapist and creator of the Health Journeys guided imagery series, said here at the American Association of Diabetes Educators Annual Meeting and Exhibition.
“Guided imagery is an immersive hypnotic intervention. It consists of calming words, soothing music and positive images designed to structure a relaxing, healing experience that targets specific health outcomes,” Naparstek said during her session. “This is a classic intervention that can make a big difference for your patients with little effort, cost or trouble.”
It can be spoken one-on-one by a practitioner, presented in a group, or self-administered by a recording. Naparstek said this intervention provides patients with mastery control and portability. Otherwise known as “the lazy man’s meditation,” it requires no training, discipline or preparation. “Just press play and it delivers the intervention,” Naparstek said.
Recently, guided imagery has emerged in hospitals and through insurance carriers as an adjunct therapy for diabetes and other chronic conditions. It’s also being used by the US Army and Marine Corps for sleep-related guided imagery, Naparstek said.
According to Naparstek, the use of guided imagery in patients with diabetes can do the following:
“Techniques that promote relaxation and mood regulation will shift biochemistry in ways that can profoundly benefit people with diabetes,” Naparstek said. – by Samantha Costa
Additional Articles
Guided Imagery for Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systemic Review, E. Ernst, P. Posadzki September 2011
Guided Imagery-Relief for Stress and Emotions During Breast Cancer Treatment, Pam Stephen June 29, 2011
Raising Pain Tolerance Using Guided Imagery, David Bresler, PhD, Lac, July 1, 2010
Replenishing the Spirit by Meditative Prayer and Guided Imagery, Katherine Brown Saltzman, RN, MA
Case Studies on Guided Imagery offered by members of Imagery International
http://imageryinternational.org/about-guided-imagery/case-studies/
www.healio.com
Healio Endocrinology Highlights from AADE 2013 August 9, 2013
PHILADELPHIA — Guided imagery can lower HbA1c levels, reduce depressive symptoms and decrease neuropathy in patients with diabetes, keynote speaker Belleruth Naparstek, LISW, BCD, psychotherapist and creator of the Health Journeys guided imagery series, said here at the American Association of Diabetes Educators Annual Meeting and Exhibition.
“Guided imagery is an immersive hypnotic intervention. It consists of calming words, soothing music and positive images designed to structure a relaxing, healing experience that targets specific health outcomes,” Naparstek said during her session. “This is a classic intervention that can make a big difference for your patients with little effort, cost or trouble.”
It can be spoken one-on-one by a practitioner, presented in a group, or self-administered by a recording. Naparstek said this intervention provides patients with mastery control and portability. Otherwise known as “the lazy man’s meditation,” it requires no training, discipline or preparation. “Just press play and it delivers the intervention,” Naparstek said.
Recently, guided imagery has emerged in hospitals and through insurance carriers as an adjunct therapy for diabetes and other chronic conditions. It’s also being used by the US Army and Marine Corps for sleep-related guided imagery, Naparstek said.
According to Naparstek, the use of guided imagery in patients with diabetes can do the following:
- Reduce HbA1c levels
- Reduce blood glucose in the short- and long-term
- Improve circulation and neuropathy
- Raise endorphin levels which decrease pain and lift mood
- Enhance feelings of empowerment, hope and mastery
- Facilitate transition from hospital to home
- Reduce anxiety-based behaviors including eating, smoking or drinking
“Techniques that promote relaxation and mood regulation will shift biochemistry in ways that can profoundly benefit people with diabetes,” Naparstek said. – by Samantha Costa
Additional Articles
Guided Imagery for Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systemic Review, E. Ernst, P. Posadzki September 2011
Guided Imagery-Relief for Stress and Emotions During Breast Cancer Treatment, Pam Stephen June 29, 2011
Raising Pain Tolerance Using Guided Imagery, David Bresler, PhD, Lac, July 1, 2010
Replenishing the Spirit by Meditative Prayer and Guided Imagery, Katherine Brown Saltzman, RN, MA
Case Studies on Guided Imagery offered by members of Imagery International
http://imageryinternational.org/about-guided-imagery/case-studies/