Visualization (cam)

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The technique of visualization (or visualisation) refers to the process of repeatedly imagining a successful or desirable outcome in order to improve the odds of realizing that outcome. It has been used as a form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), as well as a means of improving athletic success.

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Research on Visualization [edit]

As a Cancer Treatment

A survey released in May 2004 by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine focused on who used (CAM), what was used, and why it was used in the United States by adults age 18 years and over during 2002. According to this recent survey, visualization, or guided imagery, was the 10th most commonly used CAM therapy (2.1%) in the United States during 2002 ([1] table 1 on page 8) when all use of prayer was excluded.

Unconventional cancer medicine is a multibillion dollar industry in the United States.[1] It has been estimated that the majority of all post-diagnosis cancer patients seek alternative medicine in conjunction with regular treatment, and that as much as eight percent seek unconventional medicine alone in the United States.[2] Results have shown that breast cancer patients who visualize their cancer cells dying report less stress and higher quality of life in self-reported surveys.[3][4] The main issues arising from these studies is that it is difficult to find a control group (a group which does not seek conventional medicine), and that those administering the treatment may not have received any formal teaching training, or visualization techniques.[5] Many online sources report false results, concluding that visualization techniques allow prolonged survival and healing properties for cancer.[6][7] These sources should not be considered legitimate considering studies have repeatedly proven that prolonged survival and cures for cancer do not result from visualization therapy.[8] Despite this research, many celebrities such as David Seidler [9] regularly advocate visualization as the sole cure of their cancer.

In Athletics

The use of visualization in athletics has been proven to ameliorate athletic performance across many different sports.[10] Studies have shown that visualizing an athletic outcome results in better results during actual performance in basketball, trampoline, field hockey, gymnastics and golf.[11] Despite these results, claims that there is no difference between visualizing success and achieving success,[12] are entirely false.[13] Although visualization of success in athletic outcomes fosters more success than not visualizing, and/or not practicing, it is not as great a predictor of athletic success as practice alone, or practice mixed with visualization techniques.[14] Therefore for better athletic success, a combination of visualization and practice is ideal.

See also [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ Cassileth, Barrie (November 1999). "Complementary and Alternative Cancer Medicine". Journal of Clinical Oncology 17 (11): 44–52. 
  2. ^ Cassileth, Barrie (November 1999). "Complementary and Alternative Cancer Medicine". Journal of Clinical Oncology 17 (11): 44–52. 
  3. ^ Bleakley; Stinson (2011). "Complementary and alternative therapies for breast cancer". Physical Therapy Reviews 16 (2): 96–105. doi:10.1179/1743288X11Y.0000000022. 
  4. ^ Yoo; Ahn, Ahn, Kim, Kim, Han (2005). "Efficacy of progressive muscle relaxation training and guided imagery in reducing chemotherapy side effects in patients with breast cancer and in improving their quality of life". Support Care Cancer 13: 826–833. 
  5. ^ Bleakley; Stinson (2011). "Complementary and alternative therapies for breast cancer". Physical Therapy Reviews 16 (2): 96–105. doi:10.1179/1743288X11Y.0000000022. 
  6. ^ "Can you imagine cancer away?". CNN. 
  7. ^ "Cancer Healing Visualizations". Healing Cancer Naturally. Retrieved 30 September 2012. 
  8. ^ Goodwin; Leszcz, Ennis, Koopmans, Lesllie, Helaine, Drysdale, Hundleby, Chochinov, Navarro, Peca, Hunter (13). "THE EFFECT OF GROUP PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT ON SURVIVAL IN METASTATIC BREAST CANCER". The New England Journal of Medicine 345 (24): 1719–1726. 
  9. ^ Thomas, Rob. ""KING’S SPEECH" WRITER VISUALIZES CANCER AWAY". Water FYI. Retrieved 30 September 2012. 
  10. ^ Post, Phillip; Muncie, Simpson (2012). "The Effects of Imagery Training on Swimming Performance: An Applied Investigation". Journal of Applied Sport Psychology 24: 323–337. doi:10.1080/10413200.2011.643442. 
  11. ^ Post, Phillip; Muncie, Simpson (2012). "The Effects of Imagery Training on Swimming Performance: An Applied Investigation". Journal of Applied Sport Psychology 24: 323–337. doi:10.1080/10413200.2011.643442. 
  12. ^ Mackie, Jeff. "Visualization: How Closing Your Eyes Could Make You a Better Athlete". Sympatico. The Saturday Ticket. Retrieved 30 September 2012. 
  13. ^ Post, Phillip; Muncie, Simpson (2012). "The Effects of Imagery Training on Swimming Performance: An Applied Investigation". Journal of Applied Sport Psychology 24: 323–337. doi:10.1080/10413200.2011.643442. 
  14. ^ Post, Phillip; Muncie, Simpson (2012). "The Effects of Imagery Training on Swimming Performance: An Applied Investigation". Journal of Applied Sport Psychology 24: 323–337. doi:10.1080/10413200.2011.643442. 

External links [edit]

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