Abstract
BackgroundStress management interventions may prove useful in preventing the detrimental effects of stress on health. This study assessed the effects of a stress management intervention on the psychophysiological response to stress in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsSeventy-four patients with RA, who were randomly assigned to either a control group or a group that received short-term stress management training, performed a standardized psychosocial stress task (Trier Social Stress Test; TSST) 1 week after the stress management training and at a 9-week follow-up. Psychological and physical functioning, and the acute psychophysiological response to the stress test were assessed.ResultsPatients in the intervention group showed significantly lower psychological distress levels of anxiety after the training than did the controls. While there were no between-group differences in stress-induced tension levels, and autonomic (α-amylase) or endocrine (cortisol) responses to the stress test 1 week after the intervention, levels of stress-induced tension and cortisol were significantly lower in the intervention group at the 9-week follow-up. Overall, the response to the intervention was particularly evident in a subgroup of patients with a psychological risk profile.ConclusionA relatively short stress management intervention can improve psychological functioning and influences the psychophysiological response to stress in patients with RA, particularly those psychologically at risk. These findings might help understand how stress can affect health and the role of individual differences in stress responsiveness.Trial RegistrationTrialRegister.nl NTR1193
Highlights
The aetiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic inflammatory systemic disease that affects 1% of the general population [1,2], remains poorly understood
Despite the growing spectrum of pharmacological therapies aimed at reducing disease activity [3], many patients continue to suffer from pain, fatigue, functional disability, and an overall poor quality of life [4]
We examined the effects of a short-term individual stress management intervention on the self-reported, sympathetic, and neuroendocrine response to a validated psychosocial stress test (Trier Social Stress Task, Trier Social Stress Test (TSST)) in patients with RA and in a subsample of patients at risk of heightened anxiety and depression
Summary
The aetiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic inflammatory systemic disease that affects 1% of the general population [1,2], remains poorly understood. Evidence is accumulating that stress-evoked physiological changes, brought about by activation of the two main branches of the stress response system, the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the hypothalamuspituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, might have detrimental effects on disease activity and health [7,8,9,10]. This has led to growing interest into the effects of stress management interventions on physiological outcomes. This study assessed the effects of a stress management intervention on the psychophysiological response to stress in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
