The Use of Holographic Memory Resolution® to Improve the Physical and Biopsychosocial Symptoms of Chronic Pain: A Feasibility, Mixed Methods Study.

Abstract

Holographic Memory Resolution® (HMR®), a mind-based therapy, has been used for decades as a nonpharmacologic intervention for trauma imprinting to alleviate depression, anxiety, pain, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). No clinical studies were found examining the use of HMR®. This study examined the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of administering HMR® to individuals experiencing chronic pain and related biopsychosocial symptoms. A feasibility, mixed-methods study was conducted between October 2021 and July 2022 and included four HMR® sessions over 1-12weeks. A convenience sample was comprised of 60 adults suffering from chronic physical or emotional pain of 4+ (0-10 scale) over 6+months at two clinics in the U.S. Baseline and subsequent surveys after sessions 2, 3, and 4 assessed symptom response. Symptoms were longitudinally measured via self-report of depression, anxiety, somatic symptom burden, PTSD, and vitality. 73% completed all four sessions, demonstrating feasibility. Ages ranged from 19 to 80years, 85% were female, and 87% were Caucasian. 52% reported high risk for toxic stress. Four symptoms decreased significantly: depression (p=0.05), anxiety (p=0.03), symptom burden (p<0.01) and PTSD symptoms (p=0.01); vitality improved. HMR® may be a feasible intervention to address chronic pain and accompanying biopsychosocial symptoms; a randomized controlled trial is the next step to measure efficacy. Unlike other mind-based therapies, HMR® participants use their own internal language for identification and resolution of the pain. The trauma imprinting can then be gently addressed, and the memory-based components of pain resolved or reduced, which empowers participants to improve their well-being. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05001399.