Mind / Body Research Findings
A growing collection of research is finding intimate relationships between the mind and body. Here are summaries of some of the most interesting research exploring these relationships.
How does Exercise Improve Mental Health?
We know that exercise has positive effects on the brain. Researchers at Duke University demonstrated several years ago that exercise can be an effective antidepressant. Other research has shown that exercise can improve the brain functioning of the elderly, and may even protect against dementia. How does exercise improve mental health?
We know that exercise has positive effects on the brain. Researchers at Duke University demonstrated several years ago that exercise can be an effective antidepressant. Other research has shown that exercise can improve the brain functioning of the elderly, and may even protect against dementia. How does exercise improve mental health?
Depression is Common after Heart Attack
Researchers have found that one in five patients hospitalized for heart attack experiences a major depression. According to cardiologists, these depressed patients are 50 percent more likely than other heart attack patients to need hospital care for a heart problem again within a year.
Researchers have found that one in five patients hospitalized for heart attack experiences a major depression. According to cardiologists, these depressed patients are 50 percent more likely than other heart attack patients to need hospital care for a heart problem again within a year.
The Effects of Stress on the Body
Several research projects have announced findings related to stress. Researchers have visualized the effects of everyday psychological stress in a healthy human brain for the first time. Stress may raise cholesterol in healthy adults. The number of serotonin receptors in the brain affects our response to stress.
Several research projects have announced findings related to stress. Researchers have visualized the effects of everyday psychological stress in a healthy human brain for the first time. Stress may raise cholesterol in healthy adults. The number of serotonin receptors in the brain affects our response to stress.
Loneliness Impairs the Immune System
A May 2005 study provides more support for the theory that social support may strengthen the immune system. This study actually found that social isolation and lonliness can impair the immune system.
A May 2005 study provides more support for the theory that social support may strengthen the immune system. This study actually found that social isolation and lonliness can impair the immune system.
Broken Heart Syndrome Mimics Heart Attack
Shocking news, such as learning of the unexpected death of a loved one, can cause a reversible syndrome that resembles a heart attack.
Shocking news, such as learning of the unexpected death of a loved one, can cause a reversible syndrome that resembles a heart attack.
Exercise is an Effective Antidepressant
A Duke University study demonstrated that regular exercise is as effective as antidepressant medications for patients with major depression.
A Duke University study demonstrated that regular exercise is as effective as antidepressant medications for patients with major depression.
How Stress Affects the Immune System
We have known for some time that stress affects our immune systems. Many studies have shown that stress can suppress the immune system, but other studies have shown boosts in the immune system under stress. A July 2004 meta-analysis of 293 studies conducted over the past 30 years puts the pieces of the puzzle together.
We have known for some time that stress affects our immune systems. Many studies have shown that stress can suppress the immune system, but other studies have shown boosts in the immune system under stress. A July 2004 meta-analysis of 293 studies conducted over the past 30 years puts the pieces of the puzzle together.
100 Years of Mind-Body Research
Over 50 percent of deaths in the United States can be attributed to behavioral and social factors, says a psychologist who reviewed the last century of research on psychosocial factors and health. Maintaining a positive frame of mind can help a person overcome some of these stress effects.
Over 50 percent of deaths in the United States can be attributed to behavioral and social factors, says a psychologist who reviewed the last century of research on psychosocial factors and health. Maintaining a positive frame of mind can help a person overcome some of these stress effects.
Brain Imaging Confirms that People Feel Pain Differently
Brain imaging confirms that some individuals really are more sensitive to pain than others, report researchers from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.
Brain imaging confirms that some individuals really are more sensitive to pain than others, report researchers from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.
Breast Cancer Patients who get Group Therapy Live Longer
David Spiegel, M.D. of Stanford University stunned the world in 1989 when he revealed that certain therapy groups may help breast cancer patients life longer.
David Spiegel, M.D. of Stanford University stunned the world in 1989 when he revealed that certain therapy groups may help breast cancer patients life longer.
Pre-Surgery Stress Linked to Signs of Slow Wound Healing
From almost the moment a wound is opened, the body’s healing agents speed to the scene to begin repairs. But new research on surgical patients suggests that stress can hinder this process, possibly contributing to a slower and more painful recovery.
From almost the moment a wound is opened, the body’s healing agents speed to the scene to begin repairs. But new research on surgical patients suggests that stress can hinder this process, possibly contributing to a slower and more painful recovery.
Clerical Workers show more signs of Stress than Executives
Clerical workers show more signs of biological stress during the work day than those in executive or more senior positions, according to a new British study. Employees on the lower rungs of the job ladder have higher blood pressure and increased heart rate in the mornings.
Clerical workers show more signs of biological stress during the work day than those in executive or more senior positions, according to a new British study. Employees on the lower rungs of the job ladder have higher blood pressure and increased heart rate in the mornings.
Link Between Migraines and Behavioral Disorders In Children
Researchers have evidence to suggest a relationship between pediatric migraines and the behavioral disorder, ODD – one of the most common of the disruptive behavioral disorders occurring in children.
Researchers have evidence to suggest a relationship between pediatric migraines and the behavioral disorder, ODD – one of the most common of the disruptive behavioral disorders occurring in children.
Happy People may have more Immunities to Common Cold
People who are energetic, happy and relaxed are less likely to catch colds, while those who are depressed, nervous or angry are more likely to complain about cold symptoms, whether or not they get bitten by the cold bug, according to a recent study.
People who are energetic, happy and relaxed are less likely to catch colds, while those who are depressed, nervous or angry are more likely to complain about cold symptoms, whether or not they get bitten by the cold bug, according to a recent study.
Stress Exacerbates MS Symptoms
For patients with multiple sclerosis, stressful life events seem to make their symptoms worse, finds a study.
For patients with multiple sclerosis, stressful life events seem to make their symptoms worse, finds a study.
Brain Scans, Blood Tests Show Positive Effects of Meditation
People who underwent eight weeks of meditation training produced more antibodies to a flu vaccine and showed signs of increased activity in areas of the brain related to positive emotion than individuals who did not meditate.
People who underwent eight weeks of meditation training produced more antibodies to a flu vaccine and showed signs of increased activity in areas of the brain related to positive emotion than individuals who did not meditate.
Nuances of Interpersonal Relationships Influence Blood Pressure
A 2003 study found that dealing with those for whom we have mixed or conflicted feelings can raise our blood pressure. Study participants’ blood pressure was higher in those situations than when interacting with people for whom they have clearly negative feelings.
A 2003 study found that dealing with those for whom we have mixed or conflicted feelings can raise our blood pressure. Study participants’ blood pressure was higher in those situations than when interacting with people for whom they have clearly negative feelings.
Hostility & Depression increase Heart Disease Protein
Mild to moderate levels of depression symptoms combined with feelings of hostility in healthy men may raise their levels of a protein that is associated with clogged arteries and a greater risk of heart attack, according to research in Psychosomatic Medicine.
Mild to moderate levels of depression symptoms combined with feelings of hostility in healthy men may raise their levels of a protein that is associated with clogged arteries and a greater risk of heart attack, according to research in Psychosomatic Medicine.
Depression Tied to Hypertension by Family History
Higher blood pressure is linked to depression, but only in people with a family history of hypertension, a new study finds. People whose parents did not have high blood pressure did not show the same association.
Higher blood pressure is linked to depression, but only in people with a family history of hypertension, a new study finds. People whose parents did not have high blood pressure did not show the same association.
General Medical Costs Higher for Anxious, Depressed Patients
Annual costs of general, non-psychiatric medical care for people with persistent anxiety or depressed mood are 70 percent higher than for other patients, according to new research.
Annual costs of general, non-psychiatric medical care for people with persistent anxiety or depressed mood are 70 percent higher than for other patients, according to new research.
Treating Depression Important for Reducing Death After Bypass Surgery
Research suggests that a substantial proportion of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery are clinically depressed-and that treating depression after surgery could substantially reduce the risk of death among these patients.
Research suggests that a substantial proportion of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery are clinically depressed-and that treating depression after surgery could substantially reduce the risk of death among these patients.
Virtual Reality Biofeedback
Virtual Reality Biofeedback helps you see inside your own body.
Virtual Reality Biofeedback helps you see inside your own body.
Family Rituals & Routines Improve Health
A review of 32 studies affirms that family routines (such as bedtime, chores, and dinner time) and family rituals (such as birthdays, Christmas celebrations, and family reunions) are associated with marital satisfaction, adolescents' sense of personal identity, academic achievement, children's health, and stronger family relationships.
A review of 32 studies affirms that family routines (such as bedtime, chores, and dinner time) and family rituals (such as birthdays, Christmas celebrations, and family reunions) are associated with marital satisfaction, adolescents' sense of personal identity, academic achievement, children's health, and stronger family relationships.
Exercise is an Effective Antidepressant
September 2000 study finds that exercise also keeps depression from returning.
September 2000 study finds that exercise also keeps depression from returning.
Study looks at Effects of Laughter on Immune System
In a first-of-its-kind study focusing on ill children and adolescents with depressed immune systems, researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center will try to determine if laughter can help reduce pain and prevent and treat diseases.
In a first-of-its-kind study focusing on ill children and adolescents with depressed immune systems, researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center will try to determine if laughter can help reduce pain and prevent and treat diseases.
Alcohol Abuse Can Complicate HIV-Related Problems
Alcohol abuse can complicate the health problems of HIV-infected veterans, making it crucial that providers recognize and treat alcoholism in that population.
Alcohol abuse can complicate the health problems of HIV-infected veterans, making it crucial that providers recognize and treat alcoholism in that population.