• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.147-151
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• 2008

This review briefly summarizes the relevant knowledge of psychoneuroimmunological basis for neuroimmunology, with particular emphasis on bidirectional neural-immune interactions. The immune system and the nervous system maintain extensive communication, including hardwiring of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves to lymphoid organs. Immune system is modulated by various neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, norepinephrine, substance P and histamine. Neuroendocrine hormones such as corticotrophin-releasing hormone(CRH) or substance P regulate cytokine balance. The immune system modulates brain activity including sleep and body temperature. Recent studies have revealed that psychological factors which influence immunity and immune-related disease may modulate brain-to -immune interaction. But, we still await the scientific research and evidences to prove whether or how behavioral or treatment intervention of stress can influence the development, progress or prevention of a specific disease.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.106-114
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this review was to describe a psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) framework for postpartum depression (PPD) and discuss its implications for nursing research and practice for postpartum women. Methods: This study explored the role of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and inflammation as possible mediators of risk factors for PPD through literature review. Results: From this PNI view, human bodies are designed to respond with the reciprocal interactions among the neuro-endocrine and immune system when they are faced with physical or psychological stressors. Chronic stress induces alterations in the function of HPA axis, and a chronic low-grade inflammatory response is associated with depression. The dysfunctions of cytokines and HPA axis have been observed during the postpartum period. Stress promotes glucocorticoid receptor resistance, which can promote inflammatory responses. This, in turn, can contribute to the pathophysiology of depression. This can especially affect populations at vulnerable time-points, such as women in the postpartum. Conclusion: From a PNI perspective, well-designed prospective research evaluating the role of stress and inflammation as an etiology of PPD and the effect of stress reduction is warranted to prevent PPD.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.11 no.spc
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• pp.85-95
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• 2005

The present article explored the studies on the relational mechanisms between trust and health in terms of psychosomatic medicine or integrative medicine. For this, the research findings of the Quantum physics, psychosomatic medicine, and traditional eastern healing methods on the mind-body problem and then a practical guide to greater physical and mental well-being is presented. In the first section of the Quantum mechanical human body, the body has a mind of its own, the mechanism and cause of disease, the body as objective experienced conscious, and the effects of consciousness and information on the body are includes. The second section is psychosomatic medicine. In this, the thought changing brain, placebo, the power of expectancy, achieving health by active endeavor, psychoneuroimmunology, and the several therapies are included. Finally, Dr. Benson and Proctor's practical guide to well-being in presented. It is emphasized that the four trusts (trust in oneself, one's doctor, one's treatment, and one's spiritual trust) are crucial to recovery from serious illness and to achieve better health.

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.48-60
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• 2005

The relationship of psychological stress to human health is of interest to health care providers and researchers in the field of psychoneuroimmunology. The effect of stress on wound healing is a sub-component of study within the larger context, with relevance to both wounds that are acute and chronic in nature. Data from several studies that explore the influence of stress on events early in the trajectory of wound healing suggest that activation of both the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis are involved. There is consistent evidence that psychological stress is associated with dysregulation of immune and other responses to tissue injury that are required for healing and also to the final wound healing result. Current data pertinent to psychological stress and its wound healing consequences is reviewed and a biopsychosocial framework for future studies in this area is suggested and described.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.157-167
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• 2001

Purpose : This study was 1) to determine the relationship between endogenous opioid-peptides and hope 2) to evaluate the availability of the opioid- peptides, known as biochemicals of emotion in psychoneuroimmunology, as a variable to explain hope. Method : blood sampling for 20 cancer patients' (age range 18-73, 13 men and 7 women, having mild pain or no pain, can do ADL) were made under approval from the doctors in a university hospital at 8 A.M. and quantitative analysis of opioid peptides were done by the internal standard method. In 10min after blood sampling, hope was measured using Kim and Lee's hope scale which had acceptable reliabilities and validity after making consent about interviewing. Blood was sampled from the seven normal adults for comparing the degrees of the opioids. None-parametric statistical analysis was used. Results : There was a significant difference in leucine enkephalin between normal adults and cancer patients. And significant positive relationship existed between chemotherapy and leucine enkephalin. So, the relationships between hope and the endogenous opioids in the patients before chemotherapy were re-tested, excluding the effect of chemotherapy on opioids. As a result, a significant negative relationship between hope and beta- endorphin(r=-.841<.05) showed. And there were highly negative relationships between leucine enkephalin and methionine enkephalin and hope, but not significant statistically. Conclusions : This results implies endogenous opioids can be used as a biological variable to explain hope. More researches in sophisticated design would be needed ,especially in human model.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.175-185
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• 2008

Accumulating evidence has suggested the existence of reciprocal communication between immune, endocrine, and neurotransmitter system. Cytokine hypothesis of depression implies that increased pro-inflammatory cytokine such as -1, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IFN-${\gamma}$ in major depression, acting neuromodulators, play a key role in the mediation of behavioral, neuroendocrine, and neurochemical disturbances in depression. Concerning the relation between cytokines and serotonin metabolism, pro-inflammatory cytokines have profound effects on the metabolism of brain serotonin through the enzyme indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase(IDO) that metabolizes tryptophan, the precursor of 5-HT to neurodegenerative quinolinate and neuroprotective kynurenate. The neurodegeneration process is reinforced by the neurotoxic effect of the hypercortisolemia during depression. From this perspective, it is possible that efficacy of antidepressants in the treatment of depression may, at least in part, rely on downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine synthesis. So, the use of cytokine synthesis inhibitors or cytokine antagonists may be a new treatment approach in depression. However, at present the question whether cytokines play a causal role in the onset of depression or are mere epiphenomena sustaining depressive symptoms remains to be elucidated. Nevertheless, cytokine hypothesis has created new perspectives in the study of psychological and pathophysiological mechanism that are associated with major depression, as well as the prospect for developing a new generation antidepressants.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.305-315
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to explore the psychoneuroimmunologic effect of aromatherapy massage and to compare the effect with that of massage. This study is designed as a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study and each twenty postpartum mothers volunteered the experimental group and control group. For experimental group, researcher used massage with 2% Jojova oil mixed with Lavender and Rosemary oil (Bush Boake Allen Inc., USA) for 20 minutes, whereas for control group Jojova oil was used as luburicant for massage. Skin temperature was measured with YSI Tele-thermometer(Simpson electric Co., USA) and the concentration of IgA in salivary was analyzed by immunoturbididimetric assay(Cobas INTEGRA, Roche, Swiss) at pre and post test. Also at this time fatigue were measured by Rhoten Fatigue Scale through self-report. The data were analyzed using SAS and hypothesis was tested with unpaired t-test. The results were as follows : 1) Score of fatigue decreased significantly after use of aromatherapy massage. 2) Skin temperature increased significantly after use of aromatherapy massage. 3) Concentration of salivary IgA increased significantly after use of aromatherapy massage. In conclusion, from the standpoint of psychoneuroimmunologic view, the results suggest that aromatherapy massage have greater effect compared with massage and can be effective nursing intervention to enhance relaxation of mind and body in the postpartum mothers.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.3-9
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• 1994

The psychobiological model of cancer has a long history, with Galen's view on melancholic woman being often quoted. From a historical perspective, the 1950s witnessed a surge of interest in psychosomatic medicine and in researches linking psychological, social, and environmental factors to disease onset and progression. The 1960s witnessed the growth of animal experiements, in the hope of better understanding the effects of psychological and behavioral factors on carcinogenesis while controlling confounding variables. The 1970s saw rapid advances in immunology and neurochemistry. Further researches in the 1980s in psychoneuroimmunology explored relationships between immunological responses and psychosocial variables, and their implications for cancer vulnerability and progression. In this review, the interacting aspects of oncology and psychiatry are presented with selected major findings in the fold of psychooncology researches.