The effects of perceived stress on biological parameters in healthcare professionals: A systematic review.
We synthesised evidence on biological correlates of psychological stress in hospital-based healthcare professionals, and examined whether there was evidence of consistent biological changes. Electronic databases were searched for empirical studies; 16 articles (0.6%) met the inclusion criteria. Evidence of a relationship between indices of psychological stress and biological parameters was limited and inconsistent. There was some evidence of a consistent relationship between natural killer cells and lymphocyte subpopulations. Considerable heterogeneity in the methods used was seen. Future prospective studies examining the relationship between indices of psychological stress and natural killer cells, including lymphocyte subsets, is required.
University of Bristol, UK.
Karen
K
Dawe
University of Macedonia, Greece.
Anthony
A
Montgomery
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Ireland.
Hannah
H
McGee
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
Efharis
E
Panagopoulou
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Ireland Perdana University, Malaysia.
Karen
K
Morgan
University of Bristol, UK.
Lucy
L
Hackshaw
University of Nottingham, UK Kavita.Vedhara@nottingham.ac.uk.
Kavita
K
Vedhara
D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D010465:Perception; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology
emotions; health care; methodology; psychological stress; systematic review