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

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