title: Effects of stretch-based progressive relaxation training on the secretion of salivary immunoglobulin A in orofacial pain patients.
abstract: There is a growing body of evidence that psychologic stressors can affect physical health and proneness to disease through depletion of the body's immune system. Relatively little research, however, has investigated the potential immunoenhancing effect of stress-relieving strategies such as progressive muscle relaxation. This study explored the relationship between immune functioning and relaxation training with persons experiencing persistent facial pain. In a single experimental session, 21 subjects either received relaxation training or rested for an equivalent time period. Salivary immunoglobulin A, mood, pain, and tension levels were measured before and after relaxation and rest periods. Results indicated that a greater proportion of those receiving relaxation training had increases in secretion of salivary immunoglobulin A. These findings suggest that immunoenhancement may be another potential benefit of progressive relaxation training for persons with chronic pain conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40506-0044, USA.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Carlson
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: McCubbin
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000378:metabolism; D012636:Secretory Rate; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides