Development of a guided imagery program for patients admitted to palliative care units

Abstract

Background: Guided imagery (GI) is being increasingly used as a non-pharmacological intervention in different clinical set-tings. However, GI intervention programs have not yet been developed and adapted to patients admitted to palliative care units, which impedes their implementation. Thus, the need emerges to develop and validate a GI program. Objective: To develop and validate a GI program. Methodology: A descriptive study was conducted follow-ing the guidelines of the Medical Research Council for the development of complex interventions in 3 phases: identifying the evidence base, identifying/developing ap-propriate theory, modelling process and outcomes. Results: The development process resulted in a program consisting of 2 GI sessions to be implemented in the same week. Preliminary results on the implementation of a GI session suggest that the intervention is effective in increasing comfort. Conclusion: The characteristics of the GI program proved to be adjusted to the context and target population. The effectiveness of the GI program will be tested in a quasi-experimental study.