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Research: LUTGENDORF and colleagues
Listed in Issue 24
Abstract
LUTGENDORF and colleagues, Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida USA tested the effects of a 10-week group cognitive-behavioural stress management (CBSM) intervention upon mood and immunological parameters in HIV-seropositive gay men whose disease had progressed to a symptomatic stage.
Background
Methodology
The men were randomised to either CBSM or a modified waiting-list control group.
Results
The CBSM intervention significantly decreased self-reported dysphoria, anxiety and total distress . Men who practised relaxation more consistently had significantly greater drops in dysphoria. Compared to the control group, which showed no significant changes in either mood or antibody titres, herpes simplex virus-Type 2 (HSV-2) and immunoglobulin G antibody titres were decreased in the CBSM group. Decreases in dysphoria significantly predicted lower HSV-2 antibody titres by the end of the 10-week period. Neither group showed changes in HSV-Type 1 antibody titres or in CD4+ or CD8+ cell numbers.
Conclusion
The practice of cognitive-behavioural stress management (CBSM) techniques favourably affected mood and immune response parameters in HIV-seropositive gay men .
References
Lutgendorf SK et al. Cognitive-behavioral stress management decreases dysphoric mood and herpes simplex virus-type 2 antibody titers in symptomatic HIV-seropositive gay men. J Consult Clin Psychol 65(1): 31-43. Feb 1997.
Comment
These results have major health implications and such stress management technique programmes ought to be incorporated into clinical practice with HIV patients, as well as many other illnesses with a significant immune component, such as heart disease, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis - are there any health problems without an immune component?
