Journal of Educational, Health and Community Psychology
VOL 15 NO 2 JUNE 2026

Preliminary Evidence on Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) for Reducing Pain Intensity in Women with Primary Dysmenorrhea

Mutiara Nur Jasynda (Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Negeri Makassar)
Ahmad Ridfah (Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Negeri Makassar)
Novi Yanti Pratiwi (Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Negeri Makassar)
Jasman (Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Muhammadiyah Parepare)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 May 2026

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the potential of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) as a non-pharmacological intervention for reducing pain intensity in individuals with primary dysmenorrhea. A quasi-experimental one-group pretest–posttest design with follow-up was employed involving seven female participants aged 20–24 years. Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) across three time points. The Friedman test indicated a significant difference in pain intensity over time (χ²(2) = 12.08, p = 0.002). Post hoc Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests revealed significant reductions from pretest to posttest (Z = -2.392, p = 0.017) and from pretest to follow-up (Z = -2.388, p = 0.017). These findings suggest that GIM is associated with reduced menstrual pain intensity and may offer preliminary promise as a complementary intervention. However, given the small sample size, absence of a control group, and reliance on self-reported outcomes, the results should be interpreted as pilot evidence. Further research using more rigorous experimental designs and larger samples is warranted to establish the efficacy of GIM.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

Psychology

Publisher

Subject

Education Public Health

Description

Journal of Educational, Health, and Community Psychology (JEHCP) published an article, and empirical study that have originality, novelty and fill the gap of knowledge, that focused on educational psychology, health psychology and community psychology. JEHCP is an open access peer reviewed, ...