Examinations and skin testing

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients,  August-Sept, 2005  by Robert A. Anderson

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Sixteen final-year psychology undergraduate students about to take their final examinations and 14 controls from research and administrative staff with a similar age distribution were randomly recruited to complete the 30-item Recent Perceived Stress Questionnaire and have applied to a forearm the Multitest CMI skin test, which simultaneously imprints the dermis with seven delayed hypersensitivity antigens (tuberculin, tetanus, diphtheria, streptococcus, candida, Tricophyton, and proteus). Dermal indurations were read at 48 hours. Mean perceived stress score for the students was 72.7 v. 58.5 for the controls. The stress group immune response to challenge was significantly weaker than the control group (p=.0249).

Vedhara K, Nott K. The Assessment of the Emotional and Immunological Consequences of Examination Stress. J Behav Med 1996 Oct; 19(5):467-78

COMMENT: We think of laboratory data such as skin challenge tests as unchanging in the short term. The indurations in the stress group in this study were significantly weaker and smaller than those of the unstressed group. Other small studies have shown the disappearance and reduction of positive skin test reactions in different conditions including hypnosis, meditation and guided imagery. In one case study, guided imagery/hypnosis led to a significantly smaller induration in one arm compared to another with simultaneous application of the same dose of the challenge agent. The immune system does not exist in isolation outside the realm of the mind. And these data make some aspects of what we call science somewhat questionable.

COPYRIGHT 2005 The Townsend Letter Group
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