waking imagined analgesia

waking imagined analgesia (WIA)

Etymology: AS, wacian, to awaken; L, imaginari, to picture oneself; Gk, a + algos, without pain

the pain relief experienced by a patient who uses the psychologic technique, usually with the help of an attending nurse or a hospital aide, of concentrating on previous pleasant personal experiences that produced tranquility, such as lying on a summer beach beside cooling ocean water or drifting down a quiet river in a canoe. The patient using the WIA technique is encouraged to verbalize such experiences, thereby reinforcing recollection with attendant soothing biologic responses. This technique is often effective in reducing mild to moderate pain, especially when used with a mild nonnarcotic analgesic and the compassionate interaction of an attending health care professional. See also pain assessment, pain intervention.