Effect of Guided Imagery on Fatigue and Asthma Control in Older Adults

Fatigue and dyspnea are common asthma symptoms and using non-phamacological methods are preferred to reduce the symptoms in elderly. Guided imagery is a mind-body intervention and is effective in reducing physiological problems. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of guided imagery on fatigue and asthma control in older adults.

In a randomized clinical trial, 90 elderly with asthma attending Sari Imam Khomini Hospital and Qaemshahr Razi Hospital (2020) were allocated into either an intervention group or a control group (n= 45 per group) using randomized blocking. Patients in intervention group listened to a 12-minute audio file of guided imagery for six weeks, twice a day (except weekends). Data were collected using demographic questionnaire, asthma control questionnaire, and fatigue severity scale and then analyzed in SPSS V22 applying Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon test, and Chi-square test.

A total of 80 elderly were analyzed. After six months, the score for fatigue in intervention group reduced to 33.10±6.74 from 38.11±6.65 before the study (P<0.001), but no significant difference was seen in control group before and after the study (37.96±6.60 and 38.17±6.42, respectively, P=0.059). After six months, asthma control score in intervention group increased to 17.90±4.78 from 14.22±3.40 before the intervention (P<0.001). But the score change in control group was not found to be significant (17.77±4.66 before the study and 17.83±4.50 after the study, P=0.226).

Guided imagery as a non-pharmacological method seems to improve asthma control and decreases fatigue in elderly with asthma. Implementing such measures is recommended to health providers.