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

Abstract

Objective 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. Methods A feasibility, mixed‐methods study was conducted between October 2021 and July 2022 and included four HMR® sessions over 1–12 weeks. 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. Results 73% completed all four sessions, demonstrating feasibility. Ages ranged from 19 to 80 years, 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. Conclusions 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. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05001399.