• Behav Cogn Psychother · Oct 2011

    Imagery and pain: the prevalence, characteristics, and potency of imagery associated with pain.

    • H Clare Philips.
    • Back In Motion Rehabilitation Center, Richmond, Canada. clarephilips@yahoo.com
    • Behav Cogn Psychother. 2011 Oct 1;39(5):523-40.

    BackgroundThere is a dearth of information about imagery in pain sufferers.AimThe aim of this study was to collect data on the characteristics, prevalence, and potency of imagery associated with pain.MethodThe 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.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionIt 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.

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