{
  "abstract": "Background\n\nGuided mental imagery interventions are increasingly used for stress reduction, but evidence comparing the effects of different imagery modalities remains limited. This pilot study examined modality-specific and sequence-dependent effects of calming and achievement imagery on perceived stress and neuroendocrine markers.Methods\n\nThirty-two male adults (18-25 years) completed a 5-day pilot randomized, counterbalanced crossover study. Participants were assigned to calming-then-achievement (CAG, n = 13), achievement-then-calming (ACG, n = 12), or a no-intervention control group (CG, n = 7). Biomarkers were assessed on Days 1, 3, and 5 in active groups and Days 1 and 5 in CG; perceived stress was assessed on Days 1 and 5.Results\n\nSerotonin was significantly higher following achievement than calming imagery (calming - achievement: -66.5 ng/mL, 95% CI -123.2 to -9.8; p = .019; partial η² = .113), with a significant sequence effect (p = .014). Cortisol and β-endorphin showed no modality, period, or sequence effects. β-Endorphin increased over time (p < .001); cortisol showed no significant time, group, or interaction effects. Serotonin showed significant time, group, and time-by-group effects (all p < .001), including a marked increase in the untreated control group by Day 5. No significant effect of sequence or modality was found on perceived stress.Conclusions\n\nThese preliminary, hypothesis-generating results suggest achievement imagery may selectively engage serotonergic activity, while both modalities similarly engage the endogenous opioid system; no effect was found on cortisol or perceived stress. Given the pilot design, small sample, multiple outcomes, and the serotonin increase in the untreated control group, findings should be confirmed in adequately powered randomized trials.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "School of Sports Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, 43600 UKM, Malaysia.",
    "School of Sports Sciences, The University of Jordan, Queen Rania Street (University Street), Jubaiha, Amman, 11942, Jordan.",
    "Faculty of Health Science, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, 43600 UKM, Malaysia.",
    "School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Queen Rania Street (University Street), Jubaiha, Amman, 11942, Jordan.",
    "EA 7329, Institute for Research in Bio Medicine and Epidemiology of Sport (IRMES), INSEP, 11, Avenue Du Tremblay, Paris, 75012, France.",
    "INSERM UMR-S 1124, HealthFex, Université Paris Cité, 45 Rue des Saints-Pères, Paris, 75006, France.",
    "Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University Salah Boubenider Constantine 3, New Town Ali Mendjeli, Constantine, Algeria."
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 7,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Nurwina Anuar"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Manal M Bayyat"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Ibrahim M Dabayebeh"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Shazli Ezzat Ghazali"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Zainab H Abumuaili"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Tala Al-Hadid"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4,
        5,
        6
      ],
      "name": "Haidar Djemai"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/d7txqpe936k9z.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1016/j.cpnec.2026.100384",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13683444",
  "id": "d7txqpe936k9z",
  "issns": [
    "2666-4976"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42908900",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2802|Stress Responses and Cortisol"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7220656535",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13683444?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13683444",
  "pmid": "42908900",
  "published": "2026-10-06",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/d7txqpe936k9z.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:20:14Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42908900",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42908900"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "openalex:2802|Stress Responses and Cortisol",
      "subfield": "neuroscience"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Modality- and sequence-specific effects of guided imagery on stress and neuroendocrine markers in young adults: A pilot randomized crossover study.",
  "title_text": "Modality- and sequence-specific effects of guided imagery on stress and neuroendocrine markers in young adults: A pilot randomized crossover study.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:20:14Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/d7txqpe936k9z",
  "venue": "Comprehensive psychoneuroendocrinology",
  "versions": []
}