Web-based Mental Imagery: a Feasibility Study with a Brief Guided Exercise

In current years, psychological web-based interventions had been increasingly used in the context of mental health and well-being. These approaches offer great pros in terms of cost and time-saving benefits. In addition, they can improve the possibility of reaching persons remotely, increasing participants’ adherence to the intervention. Usually, such interventions make use of techniques and exercises taken from cognitive behavioral approaches and are traditionally carried out in a vis-à-vis setting. One of the approaches that often yield good results in treating anxiety and stress issues, is the mental imagery approach. The current pilot study aims to preliminary assess the feasibility and the subjective experience of a fully-automated web-based mental imagery experience, delivered through a digital platform and with a combination of cognitive, breathing, and bodily awareness instructions. 34 healthy volunteers were enrolled in an online survey and asked to listen to an audio clip with the mental imagery technique. The level of self-rated baseline anxiety, as well as changes in the emotional experience and the sense of presence during the exercise, were assessed. Results showed that the technique increased the pleasantness of the emotional state (t =-4.56, p =.001) and decreased the level of psychomotor activation (t = 2.30, p =.014). Furthermore, the sense of presence reached fair levels. These results highlighted that fully automated imaginary techniques with bodily instructions are feasible and perceived as effective in online and web-based interventions.