Differential Effects of Controllable and Uncontrollable Stress on Immune Function in Humans
Abstract
The mechanisms by which stress impacts on health are not clearly understood. Research suggests that susceptibility to disease may increase during stress because of stress-induced deficits in the immune system; however, empirical evidence is lacking for a causal relationship between stress and altered immune function in humans. This study examined the effects of an acute, thirty minute laboratory stressor on aspects of immune function in 24 men. Also examined in this study was whether behavioral control over the stressor would mediate stress effects. The stressor consisted of mild (2.5 mA) electric shock and loud (100 dB) pure tones (3000 Bz) administered in an unpredictable, intermittent fashion. During stress sessions, only half of the subjects were able to control the stressor. Subjects with control were yoked to subjects who could not control the stressor so that both groups received stressor& of identical intensity and duration. Stress responses were assessed using behavioral and self-report measures obtained at critical points throughout stress and non-stress conditions. Aspects of immunologic function were assessed across conditions by measuring changes in lymphocyte proliferation to concanavalin A (Con A) and phytohemagglutinin (PBA) and by measuring changes in percentages of immune cell populations including lymphocytes, granulocytes, monocytes, and lymphocyte subpopulations. Results revealed that exposure to the uncontrollable stressor caused changes in mood and interfered with anagram performance, but it did not affect immune function. On the other hand, exposure to controllable stress did not alter mood or task performance but did result in lowered lymphocyte proliferation to Con A. Post-stress percentages of monocyte& were also lower in subjects exposed to controllable stress than in subjects exposed to uncontrollable stress.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 24, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA634692
Entities
People
- Carol S. Weisse
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences