• BMB Reports
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.209-216
• /
• 2015

Stress is now recognized as a universal premorbid factor associated with many risk factors of various chronic diseases. Acute stress may induce an individual's adaptive response to environmental demands. However, chronic, excessive stress causes cumulative negative impacts on health outcomes through "allostatic load". Thus, monitoring the quantified levels of long-term stress mediators would provide a timely opportunity for prevention or earlier intervention of stressrelated chronic illnesses. Although either acute or chronic stress could be quantified through measurement of changes in physiological parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, and levels of various metabolic hormones, it is still elusive to interpret whether the changes in circulating levels of stress mediators such as cortisol can reflect the acute, chronic, or diurnal variations. Both serum and salivary cortisol levels reveal acute changes at a single point in time, but the overall long-term systemic cortisol exposure is difficult to evaluate due to circadian variations and its protein-binding capacity. Scalp hair has a fairy predictable growth rate of approximately 1 cm/month, and the most 1 cm segment approximates the last month's cortisol production as the mean value. The analysis of cortisol in hair is a highly promising technique for the retrospective assessment of chronic stress. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(4): 209-216]

• Journal of Fashion Business
• /
• v.17 no.6
• /
• pp.18-27
• /
• 2013

This study is being conducted in order to confirm the effects of inhaling method for aromatherapy on cortisol which is a stress hormone by the saliva test method. An attempt is being made to dertermine if there are any differences between the effect of lavender and rosemary when concidering their effects on the cortisolsl. The test shows a statistically significant decrease in the cortisol levesl(Table 4), and as far as the comparison of the effects between lavender(N=10) and rosemary(N=10) is concerned, the lavender group show a p-value of .005 which means that there are no statistical significances; while the rosemary group show p-values of .081 meaning that there is a decrease in cortisol levels, which is statistically significant(Table 5). It has been proven that the saliva test method is a practical and scientific method when confirming the effects of aromatherapy and also a convenient method for both of the test coordinator and the subjects. Results of all 20 subjects showed similar results obtained by means of conventional blood tests. However, the rosemary group shows statistically significant decrease in cortisol level compared to the lavender group, thus proving that the test method for studying the effect of aromatherapy on stress is valid. Further studies should be conducted in order to investigate the differences in the effects of the cortisol level at different concentrations of the aroma.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.886-894
• /
• 2012

Well-designed housing systems are important from the viewpoint of animal welfare and improvement of meat production. In this study, we investigated the effects of outdoor housing of pigs on their behavior, cortisol levels, and meat characteristics. Two groups that were born and raised in a spacious outdoor pen ($4{\times}10$ m for every two sows) or a minimum-sized standard pen in a piggery ($1.9{\times}2.2$ m for every sow) were studied. When their behaviors at the age of 2 to 3 wk were observed, the number of rooting episodes tended to be larger (p = 0.0509) and the total time of rooting tended to be longer (p = 0.0640) in the outdoor-housed piglets although the difference was not significant. Basal salivary cortisol levels of the outdoor piglets at the age of 4 wk were significantly lower than those of the indoor piglets ($5.0{\pm}0.59$ ng/ml vs. $11.6{\pm}0.91$ ng/ml, 30 min after treatment), although their plasma cortisol levels were similar ($53.3{\pm}3.54$ ng/ml vs. $59.9{\pm}4.84$ ng/ml, 30 min after treatment). When the ears were pierced at weaning, plasma and salivary cortisol levels were increased in both groups, even at 15 min after piercing. However, the increase in the outdoor-housed group was significantly less than that in the indoor-housed group. Throughout their lives, body weight and daily gain of the pigs were not significantly different between the two groups. In a meat taste preference test taken by 20 panelists, saltiness, flavor, and color of the outdoor-housed pork were found to be more acceptable. Moreover, when an electronic taste-sensing device was utilized, the C00 and CPA-C00 outputs ($3.78{\pm}0.07$ and $-0.20{\pm}0.023$), which correspond to compounds of bitterness and smells, respectively, were significantly lower in the outdoor-housed pork ($5.03{\pm}0.16$ and $-0.13{\pm}0.009$). Our results demonstrate that the outdoor housing system for piglets induces natural behaviors such as rooting and suppresses the strongest stress reaction of piglets, which could be important for animal welfare. Moreover, the outdoor housing system might change muscle characteristics and improve pork bitterness, flavor, and color. These changes may be preferred by consumers, increasing the sale of these meats.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.747-752
• /
• 2016

This study aimed to estimate the change of stress level in horses based on cortisol concentration levels in their saliva. A total of 61 horses were divided into the following three groups: i) tourist riding experience (TR, n = 23); ii) resting group (RR, n = 14); and iii) horse-riding education (ER, n = 24). The saliva samples of TR and ER groups were taken using plain cotton Salivettes four times a day: at 07:00 (basal), 11:00 (Exercise 1, after 1-hour exercise in the morning), 14:00 (Exercise 2, after 1-hour exercise in the afternoon), and 16:00 (Exercise 3, after 1-hour exercise in the afternoon). The saliva samples of RR were measured at the same time. The samples were analyzed using the SAS program general linear model procedure. In a percentage relative to the base value, cortisol levels in Exercise 3 were confirmed to decrease in all groups as compared to the basal value percentage in the following sequence: ER>TR>RR. The highest peak was confirmed in Exercise 2 (approximately 131%) of RR group and the lowest peak appeared in Exercise 3 (approximately 52%) of ER group. Therefore, resting without any particular exercise can also increase the stress level of horses. Thus, it is better to exercise, as exercise can reduce the stress level, even in cases when riders are clumsy or lack appropriate horse-riding experience. The results of the present study are useful to equestrian center owners and educational riding instructors in that they provide a meaningful insight into a better horse management.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.31 no.5
• /
• pp.770-780
• /
• 2001

This quasi-experimental study was to explore the effects of back massage with Lavender essence oil on the stress response of the ICU nurses. Method: Twenty nurses were selected as an experimental group and twenty nurses were in the control group. Lavender essence oil mixed with Jojova carrier oil was used to massage the neck, shoulder, back, and low back. Massage was done three times a week for 20 minutes for 2 weeks by the massage therapist. The stress response was measured with a subjective stress score, Cortisol and IgA level in saliva. The cortisol level in saliva was analyzed by an radioimmunoassay before and after back massage. The level of IgA in saliva was analyzed by an immunoturbidimeter assay and subjective stress scores was measured by Visual Analogue Scale. The data was analyzed using SPSS 8.0 and the hypotheses were tested by ANCOVA and the Pearson coefficient correlation. Result: 1) Score of subjective stress decreased significantly after the use of back massage with Lavender essence oil. 2) Level of Cortisol in saliva did not change significantly after the use of back massage with Lavender essence oil. 3) Level of IgA in saliva increased significantly after the use of back massage with Lavender essence oil. 4) After the use of back massage with Lavender essence oil, there was significant negative correlation between subjective stress and level of IgA in saliva. Conclusion: Back massage with Lavender essence oil is an effective intervention to reduce the stress response in the ICU nurses.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.245-254
• /
• 2020

Patients diagnosed with cancer face mental problems such as alienation, isolation, anxiety about death and fear, recovering from psychological difficulties. In this study, a forest healing program was provided for cancer patients to recover from psychological stress, depression, social isolation and self-esteem caused by cancer and changes in salivary cortisol through psychological and emotional recovery were measured. From September 19 to November 28, 2017, a forest healing program composed of a total of 10 sessions, two hours per session was provided for 12 cancer patients in the Forest of Taegyo located in Yongin. Psychological tests were performed with Social Adaptation Self-evaluation Scale (SASS), Korean-version Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the collected data were analyzed with the SPSS 18.0. The salivary cortisol level was measured along with the psychological tests and were analyzed by a specialized testing agency. The results of the analysis showed that the pre- and post-assessment score of SASS was 29.17 and 25.92, respectively, and that the pre- and post-assessment score of PSS was 30.50 and 23.92, respectively. The pre- and post-assessment score of BDI was 41.00 and 34.83, respectively, which showed significant differences. In addition, the pre- and post-assessment level of saliva cortisol was 3.13 and 1.68, respectively, showing a significant decrease. In short, the forest healing program was found to be effective in reducing physiological changes caused by social isolation and stress due to the emotional and psychological difficulties that the subjects who were diagnosed with cancer and were recovering from it have. In the future, it will be necessary to develop and implement a forest healing program by conducting a forest healing requirement survey on cancer patients.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.277-285
• /
• 2013

This study examines the wearing comfort of elderly women through a physiological analysis based on rectal temperature and biochemical analysis with salivary melatonin and cortisol. This study was conducted on 7 elderly women aged 65 or over. Two kinds of clothing ensemble (control and prototype) were used as experimental clothing. The control clothing was a general clothing ensemble and the prototype clothing lowered clothing pressure by adding an extra gap. The experimental schedule included daily living activities with randomly assigned experimental clothing. Rectal temperature was constantly measured every 5 minutes during the experiment and saliva samples for melatonin and cortisol were collected twice per day before and after sleep. The rectal temperature was lower for the prototype than the control throughout the experiment, and its circadian rhythm was prompt and clear in prototype. In addition, melatonin was secreted more but cortisol was secreted less when the subjects wore the prototype clothing. With these results, we assumed that regular circadian rhythm and low level of stress might be caused by wearing prototype clothing that lowered clothing pressure. The results demonstrate the necessity to develop clothing that considers body changes in elderly women.

• 대한핵의학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2004.11a
• /
• pp.397.2-397.2
• /
• 2004

• Women's Health Nursing
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.126-136
• /
• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of aroma hand massage on anxiety and immune function in patients who had gynecology surgery under local anesthesia. Methods: The research design was a nonequivalent control group with pre-and posttest design. Data were collected from June 5 to October 6, 2010. Participants included 20 patients in the aroma hand massage group, 20 patients in a hand massage group, and 20 in a control group. As an experimental treatment, hand massage was carried out following the hand massage protocol. Measures consisted of the State Trait Anxiety, Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for anxiety, vital signs (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate), and salivary cortisol for anxiety, and immunoglobulin A for immune function. Results: Aroma hand massage and hand massage group showed lower levels in NRS for anxiety, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and pulse rate (p<.001) compared to controls. No group differences were found for state anxiety, salivary cortisol and immunoglobulin A. Conclusion: The results indicate that aroma hand massage and hand massage are effective in reducing anxiety and can be complementary alternative interventions for women having gynecology surgery under local anesthesia.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.15 no.12
• /
• pp.7214-7223
• /
• 2014

Purpose: This study examined the effects of aroma inhalation method with roll-on on life stress, salivary cortisol and fatigue in nursing student preparing national examination for nursing licensure. Methods: The study was a nonequivalent control group pre-post test design. The participants were 46 nursing students of which 21 were assigned to the experimental group and 25 to the control group. Data was collected from October 10 to November 21, 2011 and analyzed using the SPSS Win 18.0 version program. The intervention was conducted 3 times a day for 6 weeks. Results: Significant differences in reported life stress experience frequency and fatigue between the two groups. On the other hand, the issue of salivary cortisol and life stress importance rate was not significant. Conclusion: Aroma inhalation method with roll-on can be used as an effective intervention to decrease life stress experience frequency and fatigue of nursing students with national examination for nursing licensure.