The Hospital del Mar in Barcelona uses a guided imagery system for the treatment of insomnia at advanced cancer patients with the aim of reducing the level of medication intake and favouring communication with the patient, according to Josep Planes, head of the Cancer Section and the Palliative Care Unit at the centre.
The treatment, which the hospital began using on a pilot basis in April with about 20 patients, is delivered by a psychologist who helps patients to recall pleasant experiences from the patient's past life, resulting in a serene effect that allows them to fall asleep.
The psychologist initially develops an exploratory work with the patient to recognise positive situations and, in certain sessions, explains a method to guide their imagination when they have anxiety and insomnia.
The psychological treatment to end insomnia, which affects 50 percent of people with advanced cancer, can reduce the dose of sedatives and sleeping pills (benzodiazepines) administered to these patients, who also have problems metabolising these substances.
Treatment of any cancerous disease with Biosalud
At Biosalud we apply a complementary treatment to combat cancer that is compatible with traditional medicine such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The techniques we use favour the positive effects in the fight against this disease.
The fundamental pillars on which our complementary cancer treatment is based are nutritional, immunogenetic, immuno-activating, oxygenating and psycho-emotional treatment.
