The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) in the Treatment of Depression

Summary

The purpose of this research is to study the effectiveness of the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) as a treatment approach for depression. Specifically, this study will examine the treatment outcomes of a series of individual GIM sessions for persons with mild or moderate depression. It is guided by the following three research questions: In individuals with depression, does a series of GIM sessions 1) reduce severity of depression, 2) reduce severity of anxiety, and 3) improve mental well-being in comparison to a control group? The hypothesis is that a series of individual GIM sessions will be associated with improvement in depression, anxiety, and mental well-being that is greater than the waitlist control group.

GIM is a music-centered integrative therapy approach. In it, therapist-selected programs of music from the Western classical tradition are used to evoke and develop a client's spontaneously generated imagery in a highly focused non-ordinary state of consciousness. In dialogue with the therapist, the client explores this imagery in a metaphoric, transformative process.

After providing informed consent and verifying that they meet all eligibility requirements, 30 participants are randomly assigned to either a treatment condition or waitlist control condition. Participants in the treatment group are provided with a series of 10 individual GIM sessions occurring once every two weeks. Individuals in the waitlist condition are provided with a series of four Group GIM sessions after the initial waitlist period. All participants complete data collection packets at pre-test, midpoint, posttest, 6-week follow-up, and 12-week follow-up.

The individual and group GIM sessions are conducted by board-certified music therapists (MT-BC) who have completed training in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music and have the credential Fellow of the Association for Music and Imagery (FAMI). The researchers will implement a Quality Assurance protocol to monitor fidelity to treatment.

GIM is a therapeutic approach accessible on a limited basis worldwide, and trained practitioners are granted credentials by the Association for Music and Imagery (AMI) and Music and Imagery Association of Australia (MIAA). Databases of practitioners are available through these organizations.

Conditions

• Depression

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Individual GIM

Participants are provided with a series of 10 individual GIM sessions, scheduled once every two weeks. Frequency may change if clinically indicated. Individual GIM sessions begin with a discussion of important issues related to the client's life and symptoms, forming a focus for the session. Then, the therapist provides suggestions to help the client become highly relaxed and focused in preparation for the music-listening portion of the session. The therapist plays specially-selected music from the Western classical tradition to match the client and the focus for the session, and engages in verbal dialogue with the client to help them explore their own internal imagery while listening to the music. After the music ends, the therapist and client engage in discussion about their imagery in metaphoric connection to their therapeutic process. This may include arts-based approaches to process the session. Sessions last approximately 90-120 minutes.

BEHAVIORAL

Waitlist Control

Participants complete an initial wait list period of 26 weeks, equivalent to the treatment and 6-week follow-up period for the experimental arm. They are then provided with four Group GIM sessions scheduled once per week. Group GIM sessions start with a group discussion about events or feelings from the week and issues related to depression and wellbeing. Then the therapist provides suggests to help the clients relax and focus in preparation for the music-listening period. Group members will explore a theme or issue related to therapy while focusing on whatever comes to them as the music is played. After the music, there will be a time to work with the imagery experienced during the music. This may be in the form of discussion or other art forms. The session ends with a discussion about gains and insights from the music and imagery. Sessions last 90-120 minutes.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Appalachian State University

  collaborator OTHER

• Aalborg University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Timothy J Honig, MMT · Aalborg University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2019-03-20

Primary Completion

2020-06-20

Completion

2020-08-20

Countries

• United States

Study Locations