Guided Imagery & Music in Cancer

Guided Imagery & Music in Active Treatment for Gynecologic or Breast Cancer: An RCT Pilot

This is an RCT pilot study to explore the potential effects of the Guided Imagery & Music method for women with breast or gynecologic cancer, during active treatment. The study explores the potential impact in quality of life parameters such as mood, fatigue, and hope.

Guided Imagery and Music is a music-assisted psychotherapy method which has been used as a complementary, supportive psychosocial therapy in cancer care. However, its effects have never been explored during the period of active chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment in various cancer populations, and especially gynecologic and breast cancer. This pilot study is an effort to explore the feasibility of the method to increase quality of life in this population by possibly reducing side-effects of treatment such as fatigue, improving mood, and building resilience as expressed through levels of hope.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Speaking Greek
• receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment for breast or gynecologic cancer
• first occurrence or metastatic
• have an interest in engaging in creative psychotherapies through music

Exclusion Criteria:

• women with active psychosis or PTSD symptomatology
• women receiving other psychological support
• women too ill to participate according to doctors' instructions