Effects of stress management on PNI-based outcomes in persons with HIV disease. (1/58)

A pretest-posttest, repeated-measures design was used to evaluate the effects of two stress management interventions on a battery of outcomes derived from a psychoneuroimmunological (PNI) framework. The effects of cognitive-behavioral relaxation training groups (CBSM) and social support groups (SSG) were compared with a WAIT-listed control group on the outcomes of psychosocial functioning, quality of life, neuroendocrine mediation, and somatic health. Participants were 148 individuals (119 men, 29 women), diagnosed with HIV disease; 112 (76%) completing the study groups. Using analysis of covariance, the CBSM group was found to have significantly higher postintervention emotional well-being and total quality-of-life scores than did either the SSG or WAIT groups. SSG participants had significantly lower social/family well-being scores immediately postintervention and lower social support scores after 6 months. The findings point to a pressing need for further, well-controlled research with these common intervention modalities.  (+info)

Optimism and immunity: do positive thoughts always lead to positive effects? (2/58)

The effects of dispositional optimism, as defined by generalized positive expectations for the future, on physical health are mixed, especially in diseases that can be immunologically mediated such as HIV and cancer. Both experimental and naturalistic studies show that optimism is negatively related to measures of cellular immunity when stressors are difficult (e.g., complex, persistent, and uncontrollable) but positively related when stressors are easy (e.g., straightforward, brief, and controllable). Although the negative relationship between optimism and immunity has been attributed to the violation of optimists' positive expectancies and subsequent disappointment, empirical evidence suggests that it is more likely to be a consequence of optimists' greater engagement during difficult stressors. For example, negative mood does not account for the effect, but conscientiousness, a personality facet related to engagement, does. The mixed immunological correlates of optimism may explain why it does not consistently predict better disease outcomes.  (+info)

TNF-alpha levels in cancer patients relate to social variables. (3/58)

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is an important cytokine associated with tumor regression and increased survival time for cancer patients. Research evidence relates immune factors (e.g., natural killer (NK) cell counts, NK cell lysis, lymphocyte profile, and lymphocyte proliferation) to the frequency and quality of social relations among cancer patients. We hypothesized that disruptions in social relations would be associated with lower TNF-alpha responses, and conversely, that reports of positive changes in social relations correlate with stronger responses. A prospective design measured changes in social activity and relationship satisfaction with a partner in 44 breast cancer patients at the time of cancer diagnosis, and initial surgery and 12 months later. Results indicated that patients reporting increased social activities or satisfaction exhibited stronger stimulated TNF-alpha responses. This is the first study to link changes in patient social relations with a cancer-relevant immune variable.  (+info)

Implementing a comprehensive approach to the study of health dynamics using the psychoneuroimmunology paradigm. (4/58)

This article addresses psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) as an integrative paradigm for advancing both theoretical and empirical knowledge of physiological patterns that contribute to the dynamics of health. We depict relationships among relevant psychobehavioral and physiological components in a PNI-based framework. We then provide examples of how this framework guided 2 clinical trials designed to assess the effectiveness of selected nursing interventions to reduce stress and enhance coping, one in persons with human immunodeficiency viral disease and the other in persons with cancer. The examples address disease-specific measures for assessing the components of the PNI-based framework.  (+info)

Research on psychoneuroimmunology: tai chi as a stress management approach for individuals with HIV disease. (5/58)

Psychoneuroimmunology is a framework for mind-body practice and research that combines cutting-edge scientific exploration with holistic philosophy to appreciate and understand stress responses. The rapidly growing research literature provides a foundation for building an integrative stress management model with the potential to positively influence the stress-disease relationship and, ultimately, health outcomes. This article introduces a novel tai chi intervention and provides quantitative and qualitative data from a randomized clinical trial indicating its effects on psychosocial variables in individuals living with various stages of HIV disease.  (+info)

It takes nerve to tell T and B cells what to do. (6/58)

The existence of an association between the brain and immunity has been documented. Data show that the nervous and immune systems communicate with one another to maintain immune homeostasis. Activated immune cells secrete cytokines that influence central nervous system activity, which in turn, activates output through the peripheral nervous system to regulate the level of immune cell activity and the subsequent magnitude of an immune response. In this review, we will focus our presentation and discussion on the findings that indicate a regulatory role for the peripheral sympathetic nervous system in modulating the level of cytokine and antibody produced during an immune response. Data will be discussed from studies involving the stimulation of the beta2 adrenergic receptor expressed on CD4+ T cells and B cells by norepinephrine or selective agonists. We will also discuss how dysregulation of this line of communication between the nervous and immune systems might contribute to disease development and progression.  (+info)

Inflammation and the pathophysiology of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. (7/58)

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) have accounted for a significant proportion of work injuries and workers' compensation claims in industrialized nations since the late 1980s. Despite epidemiological evidence for the role of repetition and force in the onset and progression of work-related MSDs, complete understanding of these important occupational health problems requires further elucidation of pathophysiological mechanisms of the tissue response, particularly in the early stage of these disorders. Results from several clinical and experimental studies indicate that tissue microtraumas occur as a consequence of performing repetitive and/or forceful tasks, and that this mechanical tissue injury leads to local and perhaps even systemic inflammation, followed by fibrotic and structural tissue changes. Here we review work linking inflammation and the development of work-related MSDs. We also propose a conceptual framework suggesting the potential roles that inflammation may play in these disorders, and how inflammation may contribute to pain, motor dysfunction, and to puzzling psychological symptoms that are often characteristic of patients with work-related MSDs.  (+info)

Stress, age, and immune function: toward a lifespan approach. (8/58)

Both aging processes and psychological stress affect the immune system: Each can dysregulate immune function with a potentially substantial impact on physical health. Worse, the effects of stress and age are interactive. Psychological stress can both mimic and exacerbate the effects of aging, with older adults often showing greater immunological impairment to stress than younger adults. In addition, stressful experiences very early in life can alter the responsiveness of the nervous system and immune system. We review the unique impact of aging and stress on immune function, followed by evidence of interactions between age and stress. Further, we suggest that prenatal or early life stress may increase the likelihood of maladaptive immune responses to stress in late life. An understanding of the interactive effects of stress and age is critical to efforts to determine underlying mechanisms, clarify the directionality of effects, and develop effective interventions in early and late life.  (+info)