Effects of Audio-Guided Imagery on Raynaud Phenomenon in Connective Tissue Disease.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the physical, emotional, and mental impact of regular audio-guided imagery (AGI) in patients with connective tissue disease (CTD)-associated Raynaud phenomenon (RP).

METHODS

Sixteen adult patients with CTD-associated RP were enrolled in an open-label, single-arm, eight-week intervention with daily AGI at a single center. Patients completed surveys, including assessment of RP severity, depression/anxiety, and quality of life at baseline and the end of eight weeks.

RESULTS

Study participants demonstrated significant improvement in all patient reported outcomes, except Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7, which showed improvement but was not statistically significant. This eight-week intervention shows that patients with CTD-associated RP had less severe RP episodes, as well as improved quality of life and depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSION

AGI significantly improved several domains of health, including physical, emotional, and mental, in patients with CTD-associated RP who otherwise more commonly struggle with more RP attacks, lower quality of life, and depression. AGI is a low-cost, low-risk, and convenient therapy for CTD-associated RP. A larger study studying the effects of this intervention is indicated.