Guided imagery effects on chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting in Iranian breast cancer patients

• Guided imagery proposed as an effective complementary therapy.
• Guided imagery reduced severity of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients.
• Guided imagery reduced frequency of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients.

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to examine the effect of guided imagery on chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients.DesignThis was a quasi-experimental study in which a group of sample was evaluated pre and post intervention. A convenience sample of 55 eligible breast cancer patients enrolled to participate in this study after giving informed consent. They completed the Morrow Assessment of Nausea and Vomiting, before and after the intervention. The intervention consisted of listening to the two guided imagery tracks.FindingsAfter the intervention, patients at the third session of chemotherapy had significantly lower mean scores in the frequency and severity of nausea and vomiting pre and post chemotherapy (p < 0.05).ConclusionsGuided imagery, as an inexpensive and noninvasive method, is particularly appealing option to alleviate chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. It can be used in addition to pharmacological strategies and can be implemented by patients independently with sufficient training. Therefore, this therapy will considerably improve severity and frequency of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting.