The impact of self-hypnosis and Johrei on lymphocyte subpopulations at exam time: a controlled study.
In a prospective randomised controlled trial, 48 students were randomly assigned to stress reduction training before exams with self-hypnosis, Johrei or a mock neurofeedback relaxation control. Peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations and self-reported stress (Perceived Stress Scale) were measured before training and 1-2 months later as exams approached. Absolute number and percentages of CD3(+)CD4(+) and CD3(+)CD8(+) T lymphocytes, CD3(-)CD56(+) Natural Killer cells (NK cells) and NK cell cytotoxic activity was measured from venous blood. Stressed participants showed small but significant declines in both CD3(-)CD56(+) NK cell percentages and NK cell cytotoxic activity levels while CD3(+)CD4(+) T cell percentages increased, changes supported by correlations with perceived stress. The effects of stress were moderated in those who learned Johrei at exam time; 11/12 showed increases in CD3(-)CD56(+) NK cell percentages with decreased percentages of CD3(+)CD4(+) T cells, effects not seen in the relaxation control group. Stress was also buffered in those who learned and practised self-hypnosis in whom CD3(-)CD56(+) NK cell and CD3(+)CD4(+) T cell levels were maintained, and whose CD3(+)CD8(+) T cell percentages, shown previously to decline with exams, increased. The results compliment beneficial effects on mood of self-hypnosis and Johrei. The results are in keeping with beneficial influences of self-hypnosis and provide the first evidence of the suggestive value of the Japanese Johrei procedure for stress reduction, which clearly warrants further investigation.
Naito
Akira
A
Department of Cognitive Neuroscience and Behaviour, Imperial College London, Charing Cross Campus, St Dunstan's Road, London W6 8RF, UK. akira.naito@imperial.ac.uk
Laidlaw
Tannis M
TM
Henderson
Don C
DC
Farahani
Linda
L
Dwivedi
Prabudha
P
Gruzelier
John H
JH
D000328:Adult; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006990:Hypnosis; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000276:immunology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy