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Imagery and Pain: The Prevalence, Characteristics, and Potency of Imagery Associated with Pain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2011

H. Clare Philips
H. Clare Philips*
Affiliation:
Back In Motion Rehabilitation Center, Richmond, Canada
*
Reprint requests to H. Clare Philips, Research Affiliate, Back In Motion Rehabilitation Center, #110-6651 Elmbridge Way, Richmond V7C 5C2, BC, Canada. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Background: There is a dearth of information about imagery in pain sufferers. Aim: The aim of this study was to collect data on the characteristics, prevalence, and potency of imagery associated with pain. Method: The images of 59 pain sufferers were assessed by means of a semi-structured interview. The emotional, cognitive, behavioural, and pain-inducing properties (potency) of their index images were assessed by an image induction procedure and self-report scales of anxiety, depression and trauma symptoms. Results: The results showed a remarkably high incidence of images in pain sufferers, with 78% of participants reporting one or more repetitive images when in pain. Exposure to their most powerful/distressing image (Index image) resulted in significant increases in negative emotions, negative cognitive appraisals, and in pain levels. In a sub-group of sufferers with significant levels of trauma symptoms, the index images elicited significantly higher levels of emotion and pain increment than did those respondents in a low/no trauma group. Conclusion: It was concluded that imagery is a prevalent, often “unobserved” but potent cognition in pain sufferers. The implications for CBT approaches to chronic pain, including image rescripting, are considered.

Keywords

Paincognitionpain imagesIndex imagechronicacutetrauma
Type
Research Article
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 39 , Issue 5 , October 2011 , pp. 523 - 540
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2011

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