Relaxation With Guided Imagery Eases Cancer Distress 10/11/2001; ScienceDaily Therapeutic relaxation offers modest relief of psychological distress for cancer patients, but the benefit of the behavioral approach may be greater if applied selectively to patients who screen for high levels of distress, according to a new study. The benefit of the behavioral intervention, which involved body relaxation with guided imagery, was small but lasting, persisting for at least six months after the intervention. The study is published in the October issue of General Hospital Psychiatry. Based on previous research, the American Cancer Society recommends group interventions such as this one as an important part of comprehensive psychosocial services for cancer patients. "The results of a number of studies leave little doubt that psychological interventions are effective, at least in the short term, in decreasing psychological distress in cancer patients. We do not yet know, however, which treatment is best at each diagnostic stage of the illness," says lead author Lea Baider, Ph.D., head of the Psycho-Oncology Unit at the Hadassah University Hospital in Jerusalem. Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.