Research in the area of voluntary immunomodulation: complexities, consistencies and future research considerations

In this paper it was speculated that the successful voluntary alteration of one's immune functioning was a complex phenomenon associated with a number of possible factors. Evidence suggests the importance of prior experience in self-regulation and the role of practice, the ability of subjects to become relaxed and reduce sympathetic arousal, the importance of the nature and content of images, the complex role of hypnosis and hypnotizability, the importance of individual differences, and the choice of immune measures. Conclusions were drawn about the need for more experimental attention to these variables and future research with both experienced and inexperienced subjects.