Kiecolt-Glaser et al. 1987

1. 1 Kiecolt-Glaser et al. ( 1987) Stress and the immune system

2. 2 Objectives To know and learn the aims, procedures and results of the kiecolt-Glaser study ( 1987) into stress and the immune system. To be able to evaluate the study. To understand the significance of the study and relate it to stress psychology.

3. 3 Introduction Short term and long term stress have both been shown to cause a reduction in lymphocyte production. These white blood cells are involved in the defence of the body and wound healing. Long term suppression can leave the body vulnerable to disease.

4. 4 Kiecolt-Glaser et al. ( 1987) Aims To see whether people who were exposed to prolonged stress ( long-term carers of Alzheimer�s disease patients) would also have lowered immune function, which would in turn make them more vulnerable to illness.

5. 5 Procedure Kiecolt-Glaser et al. ( 1987) compared an Alzheimer�s carers group with an age matched control group. They measured the activity of their immune system from blood samples as well as measuring various aspects of psychological functioning, such as life satisfaction and depression scores. They also tested the recuperative functions fo each participant by measuring how long it took their body tissue to recover from minor arm wound.

6. 6 Results Alzheimer�s carers had lower level of life satisfaction and higher levels of depression, and their body tissue took significantly longer to heal following a wound. This group also showed significant immunosuppression, with lower levels of helper T lymphocytes and natural killer cells.

7. 7 Evaluation These findings have important implications for treating people with infections, particulary in situations where they are recovering from surgery. It is important to reduce stress as far as possible in such patients and so speed their recovery. The study provides support for the link between stress and illness.

8. 8 Criticisms Applications: These findings have important implications for treating people with infections, particularly in situations where people are recovering from surgery. Clearly it would be important to reduce stress as far as possible in such patients and thus speed their recovery. Sample Bias: The matching of participants was rather inexact.