Thesis (M.Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes special study report entitled : Psycho neuro immunology : the role of the built environment in healing. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.

The effects of induced mood on secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) were tested on 104 students (51 men & 53 women) using a mixed design with between subject factors of gender, induced mood (positive vs. negative), method of induction (writing about oneself vs. viewing a video), and a within subject factor, time (baseline vs. posttest). A split-plot multivariate analysis of covariance, controlling for salivary flow rate, did not support a causal link between induced mood alone and change in SIgA concentration. The effect of induced mood on blood pressure and heart rate was also examined. There were no significant main effects, but gender interacted with mood induction such that females experienced an increase in blood pressure in the positive mood induction condition. There was no significant effect of method of mood induction on SIgA, blood pressure, or heart rate. Stable personality traits, however, moderated the effects of mood induction. Persons who scored higher on depression and neuroticism, and lower on positive affect had significantly higher SIgA concentrations in the negative mood condition. There were no significant effects of personality traits on SIgA levels in the positive mood condition, nor did they interact with induced mood to change blood pressure or heart rate. These data suggest that although SIgA concentration may not be subject to short-term laboratory mood manipulations alone, changes in SIgA concentration may be associated with an interaction of stable personality traits and mood state, especially in the case induced negative mood.

Esse estudo é um estudo teórico, baseado em revisão bibliográfica. Ele objetivou a construção de um panorama conceitual da aromaterapia, considerandose sua história e desenvolvimento, além de propor um modelo integrativo dos aspectos fisiológicos e psicossociais com base nas premissas psiconeuroendocrinoimunológicas. Aromaterapia é uma prática milenar, que passou por diversas mudanças ao longo da história e por esse motivo, atualmente, apresentase conceitualmente confusa e imprecisa. Seu ressurgimento nos anos 30 permitiu um início da visão científica do assunto, que, no entanto, evoluiu lentamente pelas dificuldades metodológicas encontradas. A organização do panorama atual dessa terapia permitiu observar que existem muitos países que estudam a aromaterapia, no entanto, com abordagens e visões distintas, de modo que tornase complexa a intersecção dos estudos. No seu estudo científico diversos elementos devem ser aqui considerados, como tipo de estudo (teórico, préclínico ou clínico), variáveis a serem controladas (farmacológicas, dos sujeitos e de procedimento) e questões abordadas (quanto ao efeito dos óleos essenciais, quanto aos seus mecanismos de ação e quanto à influência das variáveis em ambos). Além disso, atualmente existem diversas abordagens: filosófica (baseada em filosofias de saúde orientais), psicológica (baseada no conceito de memória olfativa), farmacoquímica (baseada em farmacologia e química dos óleos essenciais), neurológica (baseada nas neurociências) e psiconeuroendocrinoimunológica (baseada na psiconeuroendocrinoimunologia). Esse trabalho se focou nos estudos préclínicos e clínicos de aromaterapia, a partir de uma visão psiconeuroendocrinoimunológica. A fim de servir como um passo inicial à padronização científica do assunto, foi proposto uma definição mais objetiva de aromaterapia, a partir da qual o trabalho foi desenvolvido. Dentro do modelo psiconeuroendocrinoimunológico, a aromaterapia pode ter efeitos diretos ou indiretos nos sistemas nervoso, endócrino, imune e psicológico, sendo esses efeitos tanto fisiológicos quanto psicológicos e dados por mecanismos de ação farmacológicos e olfativos. Os aromas sempre têm efeitos farmacológicos, independente da via de aplicação utilizada, no entanto, quando se utiliza a via inalatória, são acrescidos a esses efeitos farmacológicos os efeitos olfativos, que são próprios do sistema olfativo e diferenciados. O estudo do olfato é indispensável para o entendimento científico da aromaterapia e ele tem se desenvolvido amplamente, apesar de que ainda existem muitos elementos a serem esclarecidos. Com isso, os estudos na área da aromaterapia científica tem evoluído cada vez mais, permitindo estudos mais minuciosos e conclusivos a respeito do funcionamento dos óleos essenciais no organismo e na mente. Um caminho pra esses estudos, dentro do modelo psiconeuroendocrinoimunológico, é o estudo da relação entre aromaterapia e stress. A premissa básica da teoria de stress é estudar a integração do corpo e da psique. Esse estudo concluiu que a psiconeuroendocrinoimunologia é um modelo útil para estudar a aromaterapia, por permitir o seu estudo científico integrando seus efeitos fisiológicos e psicológicos, e que a organização realizada permitiu uma fundamentação teórica para a elaboração, em futuros projetos na área, de métodos científicos em aromaterapia, stress e psiconeuroendocrinoimunologia. / This is a theoretical study, based on bibliographical revision. It aimed to build a conceptual panorama of aromatherapy, considering it\'s history and development, and also propose an integrative model of the physiological and psychosocial aspects, based on the psychoneuroendocrineimmunological premisses. Aromatherapy is a millenarian practice, that suffered many changes throughout history, and, for this reason, nowadays, it is confusing and uncertain. It\'s reappearance in the 30\'s permitted a start of the scientific view of the theme. However, the scientific view evolved slowly because of the methodological difficulties that were found. The organization of the current panorama of this therapy permitted observing that many countries study aromatherapy. However, there are many different approaches and views of the subject, in a way that it\'s complex to do the intersection of the studies. In it\'s scientific study there are many elements to be considered, such as type of study (theoretical, preclinical or clinical), variables to control pharmacological, subject and procedural) and questions studied (about the effects of essential oils, about their action mechanisms and about the influence of the variables on both). Furthermore, currently there are many approaches to the study: philosophical (based on oriental heath philosophy), psychological (based on the concept of olfactory memory), pharmacochemical (based of pharmacology and essential oil chemistry), neurological (based on neuroscience) and psychoneuroendocrineimmunological (based on psychoneuroendocrineimmunology). This work focused on preclinical and clinical studies, from a psychoneuroendocrineimmuneological point of view. In order to serve as a first step to the scientific standardizing of the subject, a more objective definition of aromatherapy was proposed, from which the study developed the subject. In the psychoneuroendocrineimmunological model, aromatherapy may have direct or indirect effects in the nervous, endocrine, immune and psychological systems. These effects can be physiological and psychological and they are caused by pharmacological and olfactory mechanisms. Aromas always have pharmacological effects, independently from application via, but when the inhalation is used the olfactory effects are added to these pharmacological effects. The olfactory effects are different from the others and characteristic of the olfactory system. The study of olfaction is indispensable to the scientific understanding of aromatherapy and it has evolved immensely, although there are still many elements still to be understood. Consequently, the studies in aromatherapy also have evolved more, permitting more minute and conclusive studies about the functioning of essential oils in the organism and mind. A path to this kind of study, in the psychoneuroendocrineimmunological model, is the study of the interaction between aromatherapy and stress. The basic premiss of the theory of stress is to study the integration of body and mind. This study concluded that psychoneuroendocrineimmunology is a useful model to study aromatherapy because it permits the scientific evaluation of both physiological and psychological effects of aromatherapy. It also concluded that the organization of the current panorama permitted a theoretical foundation for elaboration of scientific methods in aromatherapy, stress and psychoneuroendocrineimmunology in future studies.

The field of psychoneuroimmunology seeks to examine the impact of stress and other psychological processes on physical health. While some theories suggest that processes such as worry may have a significant impact on prolonging the physiological stress response and subsequently increasing risk for long-term health issues, to date, this research has not yet thoroughly examined the impact of worry on physical health processes. The current study sought to combine theories from clinical and health psychology to investigate the impact of experimentally-induced worry and relaxation on cortisol, heart rate variability (HRV), and inflammation. Participants (N = 85) were community members from the New York City area. They completed worry and relaxation inductions within the laboratory while HRV was collected continuously. Three blood samples were taken throughout the study to test for inflammation and cortisol. Results indicated changes in HRV, IL-6, and IFN-γ throughout the study conditions that were not moderated by levels of trait worry. HRV, cortisol, and inflammation did not covary throughout the different experimental conditions and changes in cortisol and/or HRV did not temporally precede changes in inflammation throughout the study. Overall, the findings from the current study offer insight into the contrasting impact that worry and relaxation have on physiological biomarkers and highlights important directions for future research in the field of psychoneuroimmunology.

Despite a rise in the number of studies looking at the relationship of psychosocial factors (coping style, personality type, and social support) on HIV/AIDS severity, there remains a lack of conclusive answers about the specific association between these factors. This study used a meta-analytic method of analysis to address these issues in the post anti-retroviral treatment modality world. A systematic search of major psychology and medical computerized databases led to 110 studies used in the meta-analysis. Social support was found to have the strongest relationship with HIV progression. Structural social support had greater protective effect on HIV progression than functional social support. A significant relationship between coping type and HIV severity was found, with a greater protective benefit seen in studies that utilized CD4 count as the outcome variable. Positive coping had a beneficial effect on HIV progression while passive and negative coping had a detrimental effect on disease progression. Among studies of personality, a weak relationship was found between personality type and HIV severity. In conclusion, the meta-analytical review found significant associations between psychosocial factors and HIV severity that could be used to refine individual treatment plans for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Teachers College, Columbia University, 1993. / Typescript; issued also on microfilm. Sponsor: Keville Frederickson. Dissertation Committee: Maxine Greene. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 197-206).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2009. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 135-150).

Esse estudo é um estudo teórico, baseado em revisão bibliográfica. Ele objetivou a construção de um panorama conceitual da aromaterapia, considerandose sua história e desenvolvimento, além de propor um modelo integrativo dos aspectos fisiológicos e psicossociais com base nas premissas psiconeuroendocrinoimunológicas. Aromaterapia é uma prática milenar, que passou por diversas mudanças ao longo da história e por esse motivo, atualmente, apresentase conceitualmente confusa e imprecisa. Seu ressurgimento nos anos 30 permitiu um início da visão científica do assunto, que, no entanto, evoluiu lentamente pelas dificuldades metodológicas encontradas. A organização do panorama atual dessa terapia permitiu observar que existem muitos países que estudam a aromaterapia, no entanto, com abordagens e visões distintas, de modo que tornase complexa a intersecção dos estudos. No seu estudo científico diversos elementos devem ser aqui considerados, como tipo de estudo (teórico, préclínico ou clínico), variáveis a serem controladas (farmacológicas, dos sujeitos e de procedimento) e questões abordadas (quanto ao efeito dos óleos essenciais, quanto aos seus mecanismos de ação e quanto à influência das variáveis em ambos). Além disso, atualmente existem diversas abordagens: filosófica (baseada em filosofias de saúde orientais), psicológica (baseada no conceito de memória olfativa), farmacoquímica (baseada em farmacologia e química dos óleos essenciais), neurológica (baseada nas neurociências) e psiconeuroendocrinoimunológica (baseada na psiconeuroendocrinoimunologia). Esse trabalho se focou nos estudos préclínicos e clínicos de aromaterapia, a partir de uma visão psiconeuroendocrinoimunológica. A fim de servir como um passo inicial à padronização científica do assunto, foi proposto uma definição mais objetiva de aromaterapia, a partir da qual o trabalho foi desenvolvido. Dentro do modelo psiconeuroendocrinoimunológico, a aromaterapia pode ter efeitos diretos ou indiretos nos sistemas nervoso, endócrino, imune e psicológico, sendo esses efeitos tanto fisiológicos quanto psicológicos e dados por mecanismos de ação farmacológicos e olfativos. Os aromas sempre têm efeitos farmacológicos, independente da via de aplicação utilizada, no entanto, quando se utiliza a via inalatória, são acrescidos a esses efeitos farmacológicos os efeitos olfativos, que são próprios do sistema olfativo e diferenciados. O estudo do olfato é indispensável para o entendimento científico da aromaterapia e ele tem se desenvolvido amplamente, apesar de que ainda existem muitos elementos a serem esclarecidos. Com isso, os estudos na área da aromaterapia científica tem evoluído cada vez mais, permitindo estudos mais minuciosos e conclusivos a respeito do funcionamento dos óleos essenciais no organismo e na mente. Um caminho pra esses estudos, dentro do modelo psiconeuroendocrinoimunológico, é o estudo da relação entre aromaterapia e stress. A premissa básica da teoria de stress é estudar a integração do corpo e da psique. Esse estudo concluiu que a psiconeuroendocrinoimunologia é um modelo útil para estudar a aromaterapia, por permitir o seu estudo científico integrando seus efeitos fisiológicos e psicológicos, e que a organização realizada permitiu uma fundamentação teórica para a elaboração, em futuros projetos na área, de métodos científicos em aromaterapia, stress e psiconeuroendocrinoimunologia. / This is a theoretical study, based on bibliographical revision. It aimed to build a conceptual panorama of aromatherapy, considering it\'s history and development, and also propose an integrative model of the physiological and psychosocial aspects, based on the psychoneuroendocrineimmunological premisses. Aromatherapy is a millenarian practice, that suffered many changes throughout history, and, for this reason, nowadays, it is confusing and uncertain. It\'s reappearance in the 30\'s permitted a start of the scientific view of the theme. However, the scientific view evolved slowly because of the methodological difficulties that were found. The organization of the current panorama of this therapy permitted observing that many countries study aromatherapy. However, there are many different approaches and views of the subject, in a way that it\'s complex to do the intersection of the studies. In it\'s scientific study there are many elements to be considered, such as type of study (theoretical, preclinical or clinical), variables to control pharmacological, subject and procedural) and questions studied (about the effects of essential oils, about their action mechanisms and about the influence of the variables on both). Furthermore, currently there are many approaches to the study: philosophical (based on oriental heath philosophy), psychological (based on the concept of olfactory memory), pharmacochemical (based of pharmacology and essential oil chemistry), neurological (based on neuroscience) and psychoneuroendocrineimmunological (based on psychoneuroendocrineimmunology). This work focused on preclinical and clinical studies, from a psychoneuroendocrineimmuneological point of view. In order to serve as a first step to the scientific standardizing of the subject, a more objective definition of aromatherapy was proposed, from which the study developed the subject. In the psychoneuroendocrineimmunological model, aromatherapy may have direct or indirect effects in the nervous, endocrine, immune and psychological systems. These effects can be physiological and psychological and they are caused by pharmacological and olfactory mechanisms. Aromas always have pharmacological effects, independently from application via, but when the inhalation is used the olfactory effects are added to these pharmacological effects. The olfactory effects are different from the others and characteristic of the olfactory system. The study of olfaction is indispensable to the scientific understanding of aromatherapy and it has evolved immensely, although there are still many elements still to be understood. Consequently, the studies in aromatherapy also have evolved more, permitting more minute and conclusive studies about the functioning of essential oils in the organism and mind. A path to this kind of study, in the psychoneuroendocrineimmunological model, is the study of the interaction between aromatherapy and stress. The basic premiss of the theory of stress is to study the integration of body and mind. This study concluded that psychoneuroendocrineimmunology is a useful model to study aromatherapy because it permits the scientific evaluation of both physiological and psychological effects of aromatherapy. It also concluded that the organization of the current panorama permitted a theoretical foundation for elaboration of scientific methods in aromatherapy, stress and psychoneuroendocrineimmunology in future studies.

M.A. / Although there are approximately 40 million people in the world infected with AIDS, 4.7 million of whom live in South Africa, very little research concerning non-medical modes of treatment has been conducted in South Africa. The use of antiretroviral drugs for the treatment of HIV/AIDS recently came under the spotlight when AIDS dissident Robert Giraldo argued that antiretroviral drugs induce rather than treat AIDS. Extensive research concerning medical interventions for AIDS has been conducted, but to date the field of psychoneuroimmunology and it’s principles have been left largely unexplored in the South African context. Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a field of mind-body medicine that examines the relationship between the mind, the emotions and the body. Mind-body medicine is based on the premise that mental and emotional processes can affect physiological functioning. PNI is the study of the interrelations between the central nervous system and the immune system. It focuses on the influence of cognitive images on the nervous system and consequent interactions with the immune system. It incorporates but is not limited to, biofeedback, the impact of thought and belief on physiology and the effects of stress on physical and emotional functioning. The current research attempts to draw parallels between the fields of PNI and Dance/Movement therapy (D/MT). Dance Movement therapy (D/MT) is an art and a science that involves the use of nonverbal communication through the medium of movement and dancing. It is partnered with the practices of psychiatry and psychology. D/MT is based on the idea that the body and mind are inseparable. It is a form of psychotherapy, which utilizes psychomotor expression as its major mode of intervention. The basic premise of D/MT is that body movements reflect inner emotional states and changes in movement can lead to changes in the psyche, promoting health. One of the fundamental principles, and moreover a central purpose, of dance/movement therapy is the unity and balance of mind and body. Furthermore, the use of D/MT as a healing tool is rooted in the idea that the body and mind are inseparable. The premise that the mind and body have an interdependent relationship is not limited to the theory and practice of D/MT. The field of psychoneuroimmunology also maintains that mental and emotional processes of the mind can affect physiological functioning within the body. In addition, research has shown that certain psychological constructs such as stress, social support, self-esteem, and optimism and pessimism can affect the functioning of the immune system. The constructs discussed and targeted in the field of PNI are just some of the elements that are addressed in the practice of D/MT. Effective psychological intervention can assist the individual to manage and alter stressful conditions. Furthermore, group therapy, which is often employed in the practise of D/MT, provides an effective, efficient and economical system of peer support and hope from other individuals facing the same situation. D/MT is a psychotherapeutic treatment that uses body awareness, expression and acceptance to facilitate physical, emotional, cognitive and spiritual integration to heal disorders of the body and the mind. Other psychological and physical improvements that have been attributed to D/MT include enhanced self-esteem, greater social support, an increased sense of control, and a greater ability to cope with stressful events. Because the elements of PNI discussed above have been shown to affect the physiological functioning and immunity of individuals, they are important constructs that need to be considered in the treatment of disease. Further, as D/MT has been shown to effectively address these factors, it follows that when treating individuals for a disease from the perspective of PNI, D/MT may be an appropriate intervention. In the current research, the aforementioned elements of PNI and how they are affected by the application of D/MT are discussed. Because the present investigation is focused on an area that has yet to be explored in South Africa, very little information concerning the topics in question is available. Consequently, the researcher focused on assembling information in the form of a literature review regarding D/MT and the possibility of using this means of therapy as an intervention for HIV. As such, the research design employed in the current investigation was exploratory in nature.

Despite a rise in the number of studies looking at the relationship of psychosocial factors (coping style, personality type, and social support) on HIV/AIDS severity, there remains a lack of conclusive answers about the specific association between these factors. This study used a meta-analytic method of analysis to address these issues in the post anti-retroviral treatment modality world. A systematic search of major psychology and medical computerized databases led to 110 studies used in the meta-analysis. Social support was found to have the strongest relationship with HIV progression. Structural social support had greater protective effect on HIV progression than functional social support. A significant relationship between coping type and HIV severity was found, with a greater protective benefit seen in studies that utilized CD4 count as the outcome variable. Positive coping had a beneficial effect on HIV progression while passive and negative coping had a detrimental effect on disease progression. Among studies of personality, a weak relationship was found between personality type and HIV severity. In conclusion, the meta-analytical review found significant associations between psychosocial factors and HIV severity that could be used to refine individual treatment plans for people living with HIV/AIDS.