Individual therapies
Visualisation is a relaxation technique and is also called guided imagery. It uses the power of your imagination to help you relax or relieve symptoms. Other relaxation techniques include breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation.
Visualisation and relaxation techniques can help to relieve stress.
It might help you cope with some of the symptoms caused by cancer or cancer treatments.
It can lift your mood which might help you to feel more balanced.
Research has looked into visualisation to help control symptoms and treatment side effects in people with cancer. It is difficult to do this type of research and the results are sometimes not clear. We need more research to see how visualisation and other relaxation techniques can help people with cancer.
A study in 2016 looked at guided imagery and progressive muscle relaxation. They wanted to know if it could help reduce tiredness, pain, nausea, vomiting, anxiety and depression. The people who took part were having chemotherapy for breast and prostate cancer.
They found that symptoms improved in the people who did the relaxation techniques. The study did have limitations and more research is needed. But the researchers suggest that these relaxation techniques could be helpful for people having cancer treatment.
In 2010 the PERI study reported its results. It looked at visualisation and guided imagery for patients with bowel cancer. The study included 151 patients and found that relaxation and guided imagery did not significantly change people’s mood or quality of life.
An earlier review of 6 studies in 2005 suggested that guided imagery may be helpful in managing stress, anxiety, and depression for people with cancer. Further research in this area is needed.
Read about the PERI study on our clinical trials website
A small study in 2018 looked at visualisation, breathing techniques, meditation, and muscle relaxation. They developed a tool kit to see if these techniques could reduce anxiety before and after breast cancer surgery. The study was small (only 100 women) and had several challenges and limitations.
They concluded that some of the women benefited from the relaxation techniques. It helped with their emotional well being and resilience to cancer treatment. We need more studies and on a larger scale.
Last reviewed: 03 May 2022
Next review due: 03 May 2025
Find detailed information and research into some of the many different complementary and alternative therapies used by people with cancer.
A complementary therapy means you can use it alongside your conventional medical treatment. It may help you to feel better and cope better with your cancer and treatment. An alternative therapy is generally used instead of conventional medical treatment.
Find organisations, support groups, books, websites and other resources about complementary and alternative therapies.
Treatments can include surgery, radiotherapy and drug treatments (such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy or targeted cancer drugs). Find out about treatments and how to cope with side effects.
Search for the cancer type you want to find out about. Each section has detailed information about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, research and coping with cancer.
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