Feasibility of trauma-focused Guided Imagery and Music with adult refugees diagnosed with PTSD: A pilot study

Traumatized refugees seeking treatment in special units of psychiatry are in need of treatment options that can help them stabilize and cope with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in their everyday life. Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) has improved psychological health for clinical populations including trauma survivors with PTSD. Prior to the implementation of a randomized controlled study, a clinical non-controlled study was carried out to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a trauma-focused modification of GIM combined with standard treatment with medication, and to examine the suitability of chosen instruments to measure reduction of PTSD symptoms in refugees. Sixteen adult refugees with PTSD were enrolled and they all completed 16 one-hour individual sessions. Pre-post measures of PTSD symptoms, sleep quality, well-being and social function demonstrated significant changes with large effect sizes. Evaluation of the single sessions showed that participants found the therapy acceptable and helpful. All participants used music listening for self-care in their homes between sessions. The findings indicate that trauma-focused modified GIM was well accepted and has a potential as an effective treatment for refugees with PTSD. A larger randomized controlled trial to validate these findings is warranted.