Positive Health Online
Your Country
![[Image: http://www.abundanceandhealth.co.uk]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/2836.df7d2315253110ff5b3a566f94871f99.jpg "http://www.abundanceandhealth.co.uk")
![[Image: https://www.water-for-health.co.uk/]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/4046.12831f50177f8848ee87b8e94411d6b3.jpg "https://www.water-for-health.co.uk/")
![[Image: http://www.balens.co.uk]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/2148.50367fa908013fae0a7f1a171543ef92.jpg "http://www.balens.co.uk")
![[Image: http://www.drsgoodman.com/books-goodman/52-nutrition-and-cancer]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/1859.1296090fd8385e7ceff51c8011559097.jpg "http://www.drsgoodman.com/books-goodman/52-nutrition-and-cancer")
Research: HEWSON-BOWER and DRUMM
Listed in Issue 70
Abstract
HEWSON-BOWER and DRUMMOND, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia, bhewsonb@central.murdoch.edu.au, investigated the effects of stress management and relaxation with guided imagery on upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in children.
Background
Methodology
Subjects were 45 children with a history of 10 or more infections in the past year. Secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), an indicator of mucosal immunity, was measured before and during psychological treatment.
Results
The number of symptomatic episodes during 13 weeks of monitoring was similar in treatment and waitlist conditions; however, episodes were shorter in stress management and guided imagery conditions than in the waitlist condition. Levels of sIgA increased towards the end of treatment. These findings were confirmed in a replication study. Symptom reduction and improvements in psychological state persisted at 1-year follow-up .
Conclusion
Psychological treatment appears to interrupt a chronic illness cycle in children with symptoms of recurrent URTI.
References
Hewson-Bower B, Drummond PD. Psychological treatment of recurrent symptoms of colds and flu in children. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 51 (1): 369-77. Jul 2001.
