Relaxation Increases Salivary Immunoglobulin a

Abstract

While research indicates that high stress may be immunosuppressive, little is known about the effects of relaxation on the immune system. To determine whether relaxation is immunoenhancing, 50 volunteer college students were randomly assigned to one of four relaxation methods (Benson's relaxation response, guided visualization, massage, lying quietly with eyes closed, or a touching-control group). Salivary immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) and salivary Cortisol levels were recorded before and after one 20-min. relaxation session. Subjects in the relaxation response, visualization, and massage groups showed a significant increase in S-IgA concentrations from the before to the after relaxation samples. Also, post-relaxation S-IgA concentrations were significantly higher in the relaxation response, visualization, and massage groups than in the touching-control group. Salivary Cortisol did not change significantly. These data suggest that one component of the immune system, S-IgA, may be enhanced by the practice of a coping skill such as relaxation.