title: Effects of therapeutically induced affect arousal on depressive symptoms, pain and beta-endorphins among rheumatoid arthritis patients.
abstract: The relationship among therapeutically induced affective arousal, depressive symptoms, pain and beta-endorphin levels were explored on 6 patients with chronic, active rheumatoid arthritis. An ABA, n of 1 study methodology was utilized, replicated 5 times. This procedure allowed the analysis of individualized changes across time in response to the therapeutic regimen. The results indicated that the treatment regimen activated the beta-endorphin system, particularly during the early and late phases of treatment. However, beta-endorphin response had little effect on reports of subjective pain. Depressive symptoms were affected positively by the treatment but were not strongly correlated to the beta-endorphin response. The results suggest that pain and depression represent independent systems and that beta-endorphin levels serve more as stress markers than analgesics in chronic, organic pain.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D004723:Endorphins / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005864:Gestalt Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D059408:Pain Management; D011613:Psychotherapy; D001615:beta-Endorphin
chemical_list: D004723:Endorphins; D001615:beta-Endorphin