Abstract
This study assessed the psychosocial modulation of cellular immunity in 34 medical-student volunteers. The first blood sample was obtained 1 month before examinations, and the second on the day of examinations. There were significant declines in the percentage of helper/inducer T- lymphocytes, in the helper/inducer-suppressor/cytotoxic-cell ratio, and in natural killer-cell activity in the blood samples obtained on the day of examinations. Half of the subjects were randomly assigned to a relaxation group which met between sample points; the frequency of relaxation practice was a significant predictor of the percentages of helper/inducer cells in the examination sample. Three biochemical nutritional assays (albumin, transferrin, and total iron-binding protein) were within normal limits on both samples. Data from the Brief Symptom Inventory showed significantly increased global self-rated distress associated with examinations in the no-intervention group, compared to nonsignificant change in the relaxation group. Clinical and theoretical implications are discussed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 5-21 |
| Number of pages | 17 |
| Journal | Journal of Behavioral Medicine |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Feb 1986 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- cellular immunity
- psychoimmunology
- relaxation
- stress
