Effects of guided imagery in patients with chronic bronchitis and emphysema

Together, chronic bronchitis and emphysema (CBE) ranks as one of the top five leading health problems in the United States. Few nursing interventions have been tested that improve symptom management, functional status, and quality of life. This study tested the effects of guided imagery and maximal inspiratory muscle training (MITT) in a group of 10 males and 9 females, 56-75 years old, with moderate CBE. The research tested whether the independent variables, guided imagery and MITT, have significant independent and/or interaction effects on the dependent variables functional status, fatigue, dyspnea, depression, mastery, quality of life, perceived health status, and inspiratory muscle strength. Results showed that the psychologic intervention of guided imagery significantly improved subjects' perceived quality of life. The physiologic intervention of MITT could not be tolerated by subjects, which precluded testing the effects on the dependent variables. Application of study findings to clinical practice and the need for further research are discussed.