Psychological treatment for recurrent symptoms of colds and flu in children

J Psychosom Res. 2001 Jul;51(1):369-77. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3999(01)00212-4.

Abstract

The effect of stress management and relaxation with guided imagery on upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) was investigated in 45 children with a history of 10 or more infections in the past year. To investigate the influence of psychological treatment on mucosal immunity, secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) was measured before and during treatment. The number of symptomatic episodes during 13 weeks of monitoring was similar in treatment and waitlist conditions; however, episodes were shorter in stress management and guided imagery conditions than in the waitlist condition. Levels of sIgA increased toward the end of treatment. These findings were confirmed in a replication study. In addition, symptom reduction and improvements in psychological state persisted at 1-year follow-up. The findings suggest that psychological treatment interrupts a chronic illness cycle in children with symptoms of recurrent URTI.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Chronic Disease
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imagery, Psychotherapy*
  • Immunoglobulin A / analysis
  • Influenza, Human / psychology*
  • Influenza, Human / therapy
  • Male
  • Recurrence
  • Relaxation Therapy*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / psychology*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / therapy
  • Saliva / chemistry
  • Stress, Psychological

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin A