Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42652381›Full record

SynthesisInternational journal of environmental research and public health2026

The Effects of Guided Imagery on Women's Health: A Systematic Review of Experimental Studies.

Şehma Şen, Duygu Gözen

Abstract readSystematic ReviewReview
In one paragraph

Synthesis in International journal of environmental research and public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Şehma ŞenNursing (English) Department, Istanbul Atlas University, İstanbul 34408, Türkiye.ORCID 0009-0009-1219-8775
Duygu GözenFaculty of Nursing, Koç University, İstanbul 34010, Türkiye.ORCID 0000-0001-9272-3561

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundGuided imagery (GI) is a mind-body intervention that uses sensory visualizations to promote relaxation and healing. While being utilized in various clinical settings, its specific cumulative impact on women's health across different life stages remains to be comprehensively synthesized. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of GI on psychological and physiological outcomes in women's health, including gynecologic/breast cancer, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause.

methodsA systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases for studies published between 2014 and 2024. The search terms included keywords related to "guided imagery," "women's health," and "experimental studies". We included randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies focusing on GI interventions in women. Data were extracted on study characteristics, participant demographics, intervention details, and outcomes. The methodological quality was assessed using the JBI Critical Appraisal Tools.

resultsA total of 29 studies (27 RCTs, 2 quasi-experimental) involving 1939 women were included. GI was found to significantly reduce anxiety, stress, depression, pain, and fatigue. It also improved quality of life and the overall labor experience during childbirth. The synthesis revealed that GI has evolved from a simple relaxation tool to a holistic mind-body intervention.

conclusionsGuided imagery is an effective, non-invasive, and low-cost complementary intervention that improves various psychological and physiological health outcomes in women. It should be integrated into clinical practice as part of patient-centered, holistic nursing care.

Indexed as

Imagery, PsychotherapyWomen's HealthFemaleHumansPregnancyQuality of Lifecomplementary therapiesguided imagerymind–body therapiesnursingsystematic reviewwomen’s health

Identifiers

PMID42652381
PMCPMC13512446

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.