Ruth A. Tanyi

Abstract

Chronic stress can lead to poorly controlled upsurges of cortisol and dysregulation of the hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal axis, thereby contributing to major depression. Hence, researchers have begun to examine the effects of individual psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) interventions and their impact on modifying stress and depression. However, there is a lack of studies that have examined the composite effect(s) of a PNI-based lifestyle intervention and major depression. Thus, this randomized interventional study examined the composite effect(s) of a PNI-based lifestyle intervention: combined progressive muscle relaxation and spiritual guided imagery and humor as an adjunct therapy to modifying the progression of depression. Participants were recruited from doctors’ offices in Riverside and San Bernardino counties and from the Loma Linda University Behavioral Medical Center in Southern California, and screened for depression using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Forty-one participants were randomized: treatment (N=20) and control (N= 21). Participants in the treatment group listened daily to a 12-minute audio CD of progressive muscle relaxation and spiritual guided imagery, and watched 10 minutes of humorous DVDs. Participants in both groups were also receiving standardized cognitive behavioral therapy and/or pharmacotherapy. Pre-treatment data were collected on spirituality, humor, stress, and depression, and the same data were collected post-treatment at weeks 3 and 6. From baseline to week 3, depression decreased more for the treatment group than the control group (interaction p = .001) among the 41 participants who were measured at both time points. The use of daily spirituality increased from baseline to week 3 for the treatment group, but remained unchanged in the controls (interaction p = .000). Correlation findings revealed that as spirituality increased, stress and depression decreased, with an increase in spirituality being the best predictor of a decrease in depression. For the 11 participants who were measured at baseline, week 3, and week 6, depression also dropped more for those in the treatment group than for those in the control group (interaction p = .001). The use of humor increased from baseline to week 6 (interaction p =.045) in the treatment group only. These findings offer depressed patients alternative approaches to managing their illness in the context of whole-person lifestyle optimization of mind-body-spirit. Preventive Care Specialists can incorporate these findings into their practices, thereby minimizing disability and the economic burden of depression on public health.

School

School of Public Health

First Advisor

Lee S. Berk

Second Advisor

Jerry W. Lee

Third Advisor

Kendal C. Boyd

Fourth Advisor

Adam Arechiga

Degree Name

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Year Degree Awarded

2009

Date (Title Page)

6-2009

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Depressive Disorder -- prevention & control; Stress, Psychological; Psychoneuroimmunology; Immune System Processes; Risk Reduction Behavior; Mind-Body Therapies; Laughter Therapy; Antidepressive Agents; Analysis of Variance

Type

Dissertation

Page Count

viii; 87

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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