Back to Search
Start Over
Divergent effects of laughter and mental stress on arterial stiffness and central hemodynamics.
- Source :
-
Psychosomatic medicine [Psychosom Med] 2009 May; Vol. 71 (4), pp. 446-53. Date of Electronic Publication: 2009 Feb 27. - Publication Year :
- 2009
-
Abstract
- Objective: To investigate the effect of laughter and mental stress on arterial stiffness and central hemodynamics. Arterial stiffness and wave reflections are independent predictors of cardiovascular risk. Chronic psychological stress is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events, whereas acute stress deteriorates vascular function.<br />Methods: Eighteen healthy individuals were studied on three occasions, according to a randomized, single-blind, crossover, sham procedure-controlled design. The effects of viewing a 30-minute segment of two films inducing laughter or stress were assessed. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity was used as an index of arterial stiffness; augmentation index was used as a measure of wave reflections.<br />Results: Laughter decreased pulse wave velocity (by 0.30 m/sec, p = .01), and augmentation index (by 2.72%, p = .05). Conversely, stress increased pulse wave velocity (by 0.29 m/sec, p = .05) and augmentation index (by 5.1%, p = .005). Laughter decreased cortisol levels by 1.67 microg/dl (p = .02), soluble P-selectin by 26 ng/ml (p = .02) and marginally von Willebrand factor (by 2.4%, p = .07) and increased total oxidative status (by 61 micromol/L, p < .001). Stress decreased interleukin-6 (by 0.11 pg/ml, p = .04) and increased total oxidative status (by 44 micromol/L, p = .007). Soluble CD40 ligand and fibrinogen remained unchanged.<br />Conclusions: Positive (laughter) and negative (stress) behavioral interventions have divergent acute effects on arterial stiffness and wave reflections. These findings have important clinical implications extending the spectrum of lifestyle modifications that can ameliorate arterial function.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Carotid Arteries physiology
Cross-Over Studies
Female
Femoral Artery physiology
Fibrinolysis
Hormones blood
Humans
Hydrocortisone blood
Inflammation Mediators blood
Interleukin-6 blood
Male
Oxidative Stress
P-Selectin analysis
Single-Blind Method
Stress, Psychological blood
Young Adult
von Willebrand Factor analysis
Hemodynamics
Laughter physiology
Stress, Psychological physiopathology
Vascular Resistance
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1534-7796
- Volume :
- 71
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Psychosomatic medicine
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 19251872
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0b013e318198dcd4