Guided Imagery and Music with female military veterans: An intervention development study

Abstract

Military Sexual Trauma (MST) is an issue among returning veterans that causes a significant amount of distress with a high occurrence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). There is a need to evaluate and develop treatment protocols for MST related PTSD.Five veteran women participated in up to 10 music and imagery sessions and modified Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) and a post session focus group over the course of 3 months. Sessions were audio recorded and analysed through a process of meaning condensation to identify how female veterans experienced specific components of a continuum of Music Imagery and Guided Imagery and Music sessions. The PTSD checklist (PCL-5) was used to assess changes in symptom severity.Participants reported using music and imagery to manage PTSD symptoms and several themes were identified related to the experience of GIM. Three out of four scored clinically significant reductions and one out of four scored a reliable reduction of PTSD symptoms.Participants shared common themes in their experience of GIM sessions that led to development of a stronger protocol for a follow up study. This study adds to the understanding of female veterans with MST related PTSD and their experience with GIM as a treatment modality.