ABSTRACT
The study group included 21 patients with malignant melanoma stage II-IV, aged 25-67, and 25 patients, aged 28-68, (control) with stomach tumors stage I-IV. All patients received individually-tailored hypnosis. Our newly-developed methods used batteries of suggestive images to deal with non-psychotic disorders and to map out strategies to support immunocompromised patients. In group 1, suggestion stimulated the "devouring" effect of the "patroling" cells. Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of immunocompetent cells of peripheral blood were assessed by flow cytometry, immuno-enzymatic analysis and other procedures to evaluate immunological status. Correlation analysis of data on group 1 identified 7 negative coefficients (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01) exactly in the monocytic macrophageal link thus suggesting the modulating effect of hypnosis. Our results support evidence available on the potential of hypnosis for cancer patient immunity and point for the first time to feasibility of differentiated targeting specific links of the immune system.
Subject(s)
Hypnosis , Immunocompromised Host , Neoplasms/immunology , Neoplasms/rehabilitation , Psychotherapy/methods , Adult , Aged , Female , Flow Cytometry , Humans , Leukocyte Count , Male , Melanoma/immunology , Melanoma/rehabilitation , Middle Aged , Stomach Neoplasms/immunology , Stomach Neoplasms/rehabilitationSubject(s)
Esophageal Neoplasms/psychology , Stomach Neoplasms/psychology , Stomach Ulcer/complications , Stress, Psychological/etiology , Aged , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/psychology , Cardia , Esophageal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Fatal Outcome , Female , Humans , Stomach Neoplasms/diagnosis , Stomach Neoplasms/etiology , Stomach Ulcer/diagnosisABSTRACT
The study group included 17 cancer patients, aged 25-55, (stage III-IV), mostly suffering melanoma. All of them received hypnosuggestive therapy to correct psycho-emotional disorders. Significant decrease in anxiety-related indices (p < 0.001) due to therapy pointed to rehabilitation of psychological defenses. Clinical rehabilitation was manifested by improved quality of life (p < 0.01), better habitus and adaptation (p < 0.01). The modulating effect on the macrophageal and phagocytic components of the immune system (p < 0.05) was matched by a significant correlation between psychological defense indices and those of immunological status. Our data have contributed to the existing knowledge about relationships of mind and immunity in cancer patients.
