RESEARCH FINDINGS USING GUIDED
IMAGERY FOR
CHILDREN
WITH ALLERGIES
September, 2006
Definition
of the Problem
Pediatric
allergies affect more than 20% of school age children
(National Panel, 1999). Types of allergies include allergic
rhinitis, atopic eczema and dermatitis, and allergies to
food, pets, and insect stings. Allergies frequently
contribute to childhood asthma, chronic otitis media, and
sinusitis (Settipane, 1999).
Allergy symptoms include
itching, sneezing, runny nose, rash, itching, and cough.
Allergies can also cause fatigue, difficulty concentrating
and thinking, and insomnia, all of which can significantly
affect patients’ quality of life (Klein, Ziering, et al,
1985; Settipane).
Scope
of the Problem
According
to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology,
allergies rank sixth in cost on the list of chronic
diseases in the United States (The Allergy Report, 2001).
Approximately 20% of American children have allergies
(National Panel, 2001). In a given year, 6.7 (9.2%) of
children are diagnosed as having hay fever (NCHS, 2004).
Allergic rhinitis affects approximately 40% of children
(Dykewicz and Fineman, 1998). Atopic dermatitis is the most
common skin problem in children under age eleven (AAAAI
Media Kit, undated). If both parents have allergies, there
is a 70% chance that their child will also have allergies
(Allergy and Asthma Foundation, undated).
Each year, American children lose 2 million school days
because of allergies (National Panel, 1999). While no
specific cost figures are available for pediatric
allergies, the total treatment cost of allergies in the
United States is about $2 billion a year. There are 14.1
million office visits a year just for allergic rhinitis,
with estimated direct and indirect costs of $6 billion in
1996 (AAAAI Media Kit, undated).
Medical
Treatment
Standard
medical treatment for allergies includes antihistamines,
decongestants, steroids, cromolyn (in the respiratory
tract), skin ointments, eye drops, decongestant and
antihistamine nasal sprays, and newer medications including
leukotriene receptor antagonists. None of these medications
cure allergies, and all oral medications have significant
side effects.
Antihistamines cause drowsiness, although newer drugs are
less sedating. Decongestants raise blood pressure and heart
rate, and steroids can cause a variety of physical and
mental symptoms. Allergy shots do reduce sensitivity to
allergens in some patients, but the shots are expensive,
require frequent clinic visits, and do not work for a
significant group of patients (Ivker, 1995).
Complementary
Treatment including Imagery and
Self-Hypnosis
The
causes of allergy include hereditary tendencies, past and
present environment, and stress (Ivker, 1995). Anxiety is
strongly linked to allergies, especially rhinitis and
dermatitis (Addolorato, Ancona, et al, 1999; Czubalski and
Zawisza, 1976; Michel, 1994; Weir, 1976).
Anti-anxiety programs including relaxation and guided
imagery have been used with great success in allergic
dermatitis (Ehlers, Stangier, and Gieler, 1995; Klein,
Ziering, et al, 1985; Shertzer and Lookingbill, 1995;
Stewart and Thomas, 1995). In one study, 19 out of 20
children showed immediate improvement in their severe,
resistant atopic dermatitis after using hypnotherapy
(Stewart and Thomas).
These
methods have been less studied in allergic rhinitis (AR),
probably because treatment results are harder to measure in
AR than they are in dermatitis. However, when Madrid et al.
taught a two-session course in self-hypnosis to a group of
34 patients with a variety of allergies, 76% reported
improvement, and 86% reduced medication use.
Improvement was maintained through two years of follow-up
(Madrid, Rostel, et al, 1995). Behavioral approaches with
demonstrated effectiveness include cleaning and ventilation
to reduce allergens, allergen avoidance, regular
relaxation, exercise and healthier eating (Ivker,
1995).
Conclusion
Guided
imagery can improve children’s ability to cope with
allergies, and reduce allergy symptoms, office visits, and
medication use in many cases.
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