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Stress-induced immunosuppression and therapeutic touch
1College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA.
Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine
|March 1, 1997
Summary
Therapeutic touch may help reduce stress-related immune changes in students. This pilot study found significant differences in immunoglobulin levels and apoptosis, warranting further investigation into this stress-reduction technique.
Area of Science:
- Psychoneuroimmunology
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Background:
- Stress significantly impacts immunological function, particularly in high-achieving student populations.
- Adverse immunological effects of stress can compromise overall health and academic performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic touch in mitigating stress-induced immunological changes in students.
- To establish a foundation for testing various stress-reduction techniques.
Main Methods:
- Experimental design involving healthy medical and nursing students undergoing professional board examinations.
- Intervention group received therapeutic touch; control group did not.
- Measured T-lymphocyte function (CD25) and immunoglobulin (IgA, IgM, IgG) levels, and apoptosis.
Main Results:
- Significant differences observed in IgA and IgM levels between groups.
- Apoptosis (programmed cell death) showed a statistically significant difference.
- CD25 and IgG levels trended as expected but did not reach statistical significance.
Conclusions:
- Therapeutic touch shows potential in reducing adverse immunological consequences of stress.
- This pilot study suggests further research is warranted, with a recommended sample size of 90 per group for confirmation.
- Immune function changes related to anxiety and its relief are measurable outcomes.