Psychoneuroimmunology in Critically Ill Patients
- 1 February 2003
- journal article
- review article
- Published by AACN Publishing in AACN Advanced Critical Care
- Vol. 14 (1), 25-32
- https://doi.org/10.1097/00044067-200302000-00004
Abstract
Psychoneuroimmunology is the study of the interactions among behavior, neural, and endocrine functions and the immune system. The purpose of this review is to briefly summarize the evidence concerning interactions among behavior, the neuroendocrine system, and the immune system, and to show how this evidence relates to critical care patients. It has been shown that the immune function of many patients in the intensive care unit is suppressed as a result of trauma, sepsis, or profound physiologic and psychological stress. Three of the most common stressors among patients in the intensive care unit are pain, sleep deprivation, and fear or anxiety. Findings have shown each of these stressors to be associated with decreased immune functioning. Nurses have an important responsibility to protect their patients from infection and promote their ability to heal. Several actions are suggested that can help the nurse achieve these goals. It is hoped that nurses would keep these interactions in mind while caring for their patients in the intensive care unit.Keywords
This publication has 39 references indexed in Scilit:
- Stress effects on immunity and its application to clinical immunologyClinical and Experimental Allergy, 2001
- The neurobiology of stress: from serendipity to clinical relevance11Published on the World Wide Web on 22 November 2000.Brain Research, 2000
- Patients' perceptions of intensive careThe Lancet, 1999
- Patientsʼ perceptions of uncertainty and stress during weaning from mechanical ventilationDimensions of Critical Care Nursing, 1999
- Stress and Immunity After Traumatic Injury: The Mind—Body LinkAACN Advanced Critical Care, 1996
- Psychoneuroimmunology: an emerging framework for nursing researchJournal of Advanced Nursing, 1996
- Limbic pathways and hypothalamic neurotransmitters mediating adrenocortical responses to neural stimuliNeuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 1995
- Sleep, Microbes and CytokinesNeuroimmunomodulation, 1994
- Determinants of Catecholamine and Cortisol Responses to Lower Extremity RevascularizationAnesthesiology, 1993
- Neuro-immune interactions in painCritical Care Medicine, 1993