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Immunological changes associated with clinical improvement of asthmatic children subjected to psychosocial

M Castés1, I Hagel, M Palenque

  • 1Department of Immunology, Laboratory of Psychoneuroimmunology, Institute of Biomedicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela. mcaste@telcel.net.ve

Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
|June 18, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Psychosocial intervention (PSI) significantly improved asthma management in children by reducing episodes and medication use. The program also enhanced immune markers, suggesting a link between psychological well-being and physical health in pediatric asthma.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
  • Psychoneuroimmunology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition affecting children worldwide.
  • Asthma management often involves conventional treatments, but psychosocial factors can influence disease severity.
  • Understanding the interplay between psychosocial factors and immune responses is crucial for comprehensive pediatric asthma care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of a psychosocial intervention (PSI) program on the immunological status and clinical outcomes of asthmatic children.
  • To assess changes in clinical asthma indicators, such as episodes and medication use, following PSI.
  • To investigate alterations in specific immune markers, including IgE responses and immune cell populations, in response to PSI.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 35 asthmatic children, divided into a PSI group (19) and a control group (16).
  • The PSI group received a 6-month program including relaxation, guided imagery, and self-esteem workshops, alongside conventional treatment.
  • Immunological status was assessed through specific IgE, NK cells, T-cell receptor expression, and IgE receptor expression, alongside clinical data collection.

Main Results:

  • The PSI group showed a significant reduction in asthma episodes and bronchodilator use, with improved pulmonary function.
  • Significant decreases in specific IgE against Ascaris lumbricoides were observed in the PSI group.
  • PSI led to increased NK cells, augmented T-cell receptor for IL-2 expression, and decreased leukocytes with low-affinity IgE receptors, normalizing these markers.

Conclusions:

  • Psychosocial intervention can lead to significant clinical improvements in pediatric asthma.
  • PSI appears to modulate the immune system, normalizing specific IgE responses and immune cell surface markers.
  • These findings suggest that PSI is a valuable adjunctive therapy for managing childhood asthma, potentially through immunomodulatory mechanisms.

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