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

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.