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Research: GRUZELIER and colleagues,
Listed in Issue 71
Abstract
GRUZELIER and colleagues, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience and Behaviour, Imperial College Medical School, St. Dunstan's Road, London W6 8RF, UK, j.gruzelier@ic.ac.uk, evaluated the effects of self-hypnosis training on immune function and mood in medical students at exam time .
Background
Methodology
Hypnosis involved relaxation and imagery directed at improved immune function and increased energy, alertness and concentration . Hypotheses were made about activated and withdrawn personality differences. Eight high and eight low hypnotically susceptible participants were given 10 sessions of hypnosis, one live and nine tape-recorded, and were compared with control subjects (n=12). CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19 and CD 56 natural killer (NK) cells and blood cortisol were assayed. Lifestyle, activated versus withdrawn temperament, arousal and anxiety questionnaires were administered.
Results
Self-hypnosis buffered the decline found in controls in NK (p<0.002) and CD8 cells (p<0.007) and CD8/CD4% (p<0.06) (35-45% order of magnitude differences), while there was an increase in cortisol (p<0.05). The change in NK cell counts correlated positively with changes in both CD8 cells and cortisol . Results were independent of changes in lifestyle. Energy ratings were higher after hypnosis (p<0.01), and increased calmness with hypnosis correlated with an increase in CD4 counts (p<0.01). The activated temperament, notably the cognitive subscale (speaking and thinking quickly), was predictive of exam levels of T and B lymphocytes and reached r=0.72 (p<0.001) in the non-intervention control group.
Conclusion
The sizeable influences on cell-mediated immunity achieved by a relatively brief, low-cost psychological intervention in the face of a compelling, but routine, stress in young healthy adults have implications for illness prevention and for patients with compromised immunity.
References
Gruzelier J et al. Cellular and humoral immunity, mood and exam stress: the influences of self-hypnosis and personality predictors. International Journal of Psychophysiology 42 (1): 55-71. Aug 2001.
