Salivary cortisol responses to acute stress in students with myofascial pain

Introduction/Objective. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are characterized by the appearance of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction of the masticatory system. The aims of this study were to evaluate the salivary cortisol levels in students with chronic myofascial pain (MFP) related to TMD during oral exam, as well as to analyze the correlation between salivary cortisol levels, TMD-related MFP, the level of anxiety, depression symptoms, somatization, and perceived stress. Methods. The study included 60 university students, who were allocated either into the group of students with MFP (n = 30) or into the control group of healthy students (n = 30). The level of salivary cortisol was measured on the exam day and during the control day when the students had no exams. Depression symptoms, somatization, perceived stress and anxiety were evaluated according to Axis II RDC/TMD, Perceived Stress Scale and State?Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results. Levels of salivary cortisol were significantly higher in the group of students with MFP in all phases of measurements compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Students with MFP also showed significantly higher depression symptoms, somatization, and trait anxiety scores than the control group. No significant group differences were found on the scales measuring state anxiety and perceived stress. The level of salivary cortisol was found to be in correlation with depression symptoms, state anxiety, and perceived stress, but not with chronic pain, somatization, and trait anxiety in students with TMD. Conclusion. Salivary cortisol could be an important indicator of psychological distress in TMD.

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Subjective Anxiety Measurements and Cortisol Responses in Adults Who Stutter

Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research ◽

10.1044/jshr.3704.760 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 37 (4) ◽

pp. 760-768 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

Gordon W. Blood ◽

Ingrid M. Blood ◽

Stephanie Bennett ◽

Kathleen C. Simpson ◽

Elizabeth J. Susman

Keyword(s):

Trait Anxiety ◽

Salivary Cortisol ◽

State Anxiety ◽

Communication Apprehension ◽

High Stress ◽

The State ◽

Self Report ◽

Cortisol Responses ◽

Anxiety Levels ◽

Cortisol Levels

Anxiety, as measured by self-report inventories and salivary cortisol levels, was examined in 11 males who stutter and 11 males who do not stutter during baseline, low stress, and high stress sessions. During the high stress session salivary cortisol was significantly greater in persons who stutter than in persons who do not stutter. No significant differences were found between the two groups on the State-Anxiety Inventory, Trait-Anxiety Inventory, or the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension. Significant differences in anxiety levels among the baseline, low stress, and high stress sessions for both groups of subjects were found for the State-Anxiety Inventory. No other significant differences or relationships were found between the two groups.

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Effects of Breastfeeding on Stress Measured by Saliva Cortisol Level and Perceived Stress

Asian/Pacific Island Nursing Journal ◽

10.31372/20200503.1100 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 128-138

Author(s):

Kiyoko Mizuhata ◽

Hatsumi Taniguchi ◽

Naoko Hikita ◽

Mieko Shimada ◽

Seiichi Morokuma

Keyword(s):

Postpartum Depression ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Salivary Cortisol ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Mixed Feeding ◽

Before And After ◽

Feeding Methods ◽

Cortisol Levels

Purpose: The effects of breastfeeding on postpartum depression symptoms and stress using physiological measures require investigation. Background: Breastfeeding suppresses the secretion of cortisol. Oxytocin levels correlate negatively with symptoms of postpartum depression. Aim: To investigate the effects of breastfeeding on stress and postpartum depression. Methods: We examined 79 breastfeeding women using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale-10, and the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale, and measured the salivary cortisol levels before and after breastfeeding. Findings: There was a negative correlation between the duration of suckling and changes in salivary cortisol levels following breastfeeding (rs = −0.333, p < 0.05). Salivary cortisol levels immediately following breastfeeding were significantly lower compared to mothers who used mixed feeding methods (p < 0.001). Breastfeeding mothers had lower perceived stress than mothers using mixed feeding methods (β = −0.260, p < 0.05). There was no association between breastfeeding and postpartum depression; however, there was an association between postpartum depression and perceived stress (β = 0.622, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Salivary cortisol levels significantly decreased following breastfeeding, with longer suckling times correlating with lower cortisol levels. Breastfeeding reduced stress and increased breastfeeding self-efficacy.

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Examining the Effectiveness of Psychological Strategies on Physiologic Markers: Evidence-Based Suggestions for Holistic Care of the Athlete

Journal of Athletic Training ◽

10.4085/1062-6050-49.1.09 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 49 (3) ◽

pp. 331-337 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Michelle A. Dawson ◽

Jennifer Jordan Hamson-Utley ◽

Rodney Hansen ◽

Michael Olpin

Keyword(s):

Perceived Stress ◽

Salivary Cortisol ◽

Time Of Day ◽

Control Group ◽

Controlled Clinical Trial ◽

Perceived Stress Scale ◽

Stress Scale ◽

Breathing Exercises ◽

Two Samples ◽

Cortisol Levels

Context: Current holistic rehabilitation blends both physical and psychological techniques. However, validation of the usefulness of psychological strategies is limited in the literature. Objective: To quantify the effects of psychological strategies on both physiologic (salivary cortisol) and subjective assessments of stress. Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Setting: Laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 97 college-aged students (age = 20.65 ± 4.38 years), most with little to no experience with psychological strategies. Intervention(s): A 15-minute script via an iPod led the participant through visual imagery (cognitive relaxation) or deep breathing exercises (somatic relaxation) cues. The control group listened to 15 minutes of ambient nature sounds. Main Outcome Measure(s): Two samples (pretest, posttest) of salivary cortisol were analyzed using an enzyme immunoassay kit; the average was used for statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics and correlations were conducted to examine group differences in time of day, salivary cortisol, sex, Stress-O-Meter values, and Perceived Stress Scale scores. Results: Salivary cortisol levels were lower in the treatment group than the control group (F2,97 = 15.62, P < .001). Females had higher scores on both the pretest Stress-O-Meter (5.15 ± 1.796) and the Perceived Stress Scale (18.31 ± 5.833) than males (4.25 ± 1.741 and 15.272 ± 5.390, respectively). Conclusions: Both cognitive and somatic relaxation strategies reduced cortisol levels. Participants who received verbal guidance achieved a larger cortisol reduction. However, the change in cortisol level was uncorrelated with the change in report of acute stress; females reported higher levels of stress. Clinical implications include attention to sex when assessing stress and providing coping skills during the rehabilitation process.

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Stigma associated with parental depression or cancer: Impact on spouse and offspring's cortisol levels and socioemotional functioning

Development and Psychopathology ◽

10.1017/s0954579420001431 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (5) ◽

pp. 1822-1837

Author(s):

Sonia J. Lupien ◽

Denis-Claude Roy ◽

Catherine Raymond ◽

Sarah Leclaire ◽

Nathalie Wan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Illness ◽

Salivary Cortisol ◽

Bayes Factor ◽

Depressive Symptomatology ◽

Parental Depression ◽

Control Group ◽

Parental Cancer ◽

Internalized Stigma ◽

Significant Group ◽

Cortisol Levels

AbstractStress associated with caring for a mentally ill spouse can adversely affect the health status of caregivers and their children. Adding to the stress of caregiving is the stigma often placed against spouses and children of people with mental illness. Contrary to mental illness, many physical disorders such as cancer may be less stigmatized (expect pulmonary cancer). In this study, we measured externalized and internalized stigma, as well as psychological (depressive symptoms and stressful life events) and physiological (basal salivary cortisol levels) markers of stress in 115 spouses and 154 children of parents suffering from major depressive disorder, cancer, or no illness (control group). The results show that spouses and children from families with parental depression present significantly more externalized stigma than spouses and children from families with parental cancer or no illness, although we find no group differences on internalized stigma. The analysis did not show a significant group difference either for spouses or their children on depressive symptomatology, although spouses from the parental depression group reported greater work/family stress. Finally, we found that although for both spouses children the awakening cortisol response was greater on weekdays than on weekend days, salivary cortisol levels did not differ between groups. Bayes factor calculated on the null result for cortisol levels was greater than 100, providing strong evidence for the null hypothesis H0. Altogether, these results suggest an impact of stigma toward mental health disorder on psychological markers of stress but no impact of stigma on physiological markers of stress. We suggest that these results may be due to the characteristics of the families who participated in the present study.

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Effects of Anosognosia on Perceived Stress and Cortisol Levels in Alzheimer’s Disease

International Journal of Alzheimer s Disease ◽

10.1155/2012/209570 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Genevieve Arsenault-Lapierre ◽

Victor Whitehead ◽

Sonia Lupien ◽

Howard Chertkow

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Cognitive Deficits ◽

Salivary Cortisol ◽

Newly Diagnosed ◽

Stress Scale ◽

Cortisol Levels

Anosognosia, or unawareness of one’s own cognitive deficits, may cause issues when measuring perceived stress and cortisol levels in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). The goal of this study was to examine the effects of anosognosia on perceived stress and salivary cortisol levels in normal elderly (NE) adults, MCI individuals, newly diagnosed AD patients, and long-lasting AD patients, suspected to show more anosognosia. An anosognosia index for perceived stress was computed by subtracting the score on the Perceived Stress Scale measured in the participants and their relative. Cortisol levels were measured four times a day over two nonconsecutive days. Greater anosognosia for dementia correlated with greater anosognosia for perceived stress in the group as a whole. However, no correlation between cortisol levels and either anosognosia for dementia or perceived stress was observed. Our results suggest that measuring perceived stress in AD patients may be influenced by anosognosia.

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Can Dog-Assisted Intervention Decrease Anxiety Level and Autonomic Agitation in Patients with Anxiety Disorders?

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10215171 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (21) ◽

pp. 5171

Author(s):

Dorota Wołyńczyk-Gmaj ◽

Aleksandra Ziółkowska ◽

Piotr Rogala ◽

Dawid Ścigała ◽

Ludwik Bryła ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Treatment Group ◽

Trait Anxiety ◽

State Anxiety ◽

Brief Symptom Inventory ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Control Group ◽

Resting Heart Rate ◽

Full Data ◽

Positive Effects

Few studies have explored the influence of an Animal-Assisted Intervention on patients with mental disorders. We investigated it’s impact on anxiety symptoms. We divided 51 patients with anxiety symptoms into two groups—treatment group, that went for a short 15–20 min’ walk with a dog, his handler and a researcher and control group, that went for a walk only with a researcher. We used State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of fear, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Ford Insomnia Response to Stress (FIRST), Brief symptom Inventory (BSI) and VAS of satisfaction after trial to assess. We also checked the resting blood pressure and resting heart rate before and after performing psychological tests while sitting. We have obtained full data of 21 people from the research group and 26 people from the control group. After the intervention, the treatment group reported lower anxiety levels as a state (Mean (M) = 34.35; Standard Deviation (SD) = 6.9 vs. M = 40.94; SD = 8.6) and fear (M = 1.05; SD = 1.0 vs. M = 2.04; SD = 2.2) than the control group. After a walk with a dog, trait anxiety (M = 34.35; SD = 6.9 vs. M = 46.3; SD = 9.6), state anxiety (M = 48.9; SD = 7.2 vs. M = 53.9; SD = 7.8), fear (M = 1.05; SD= 1.0 vs. M = 2.57; SD = 2.3) and resting heart rate (M = 71.05; SD = 12.3 vs. M = 73.67; SD = 13.1) decreased significantly, while walking without a dog only reduced state anxiety (M = 47.24; SD = 11.0 vs. M = 40.94; SD = 8.6). Multivariate analysis of variance showed that after the walk, state anxiety was significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group, F(1.35) = 6.706, p <0.05, η2 = 0.161. Among those who walked with a dog, the intervention also led to significant decreases in fear and resting heart rate, F(1.44) = 11.694, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.210 and F(1.45) = 8.503; p < 0.01; η2 = 0.159, respectively. For anxious patients, a short walk with a dog is more beneficial than a walk without one. We found significant positive effects of a dog’s company on vegetative arousal and mental comfort. This is another study confirming the possible therapeutic effect of the animal on anxiety symptoms. Further research is required, especially in the large groups of patients, as recommendations on the use of Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI) are needed.

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Relationship Between Salivary Cortisol, Self-Assessed Stress Levels, and Body Mass Index in High Achieving High School Adolescents

Elements ◽

10.6017/eurj.v14i1.10332 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sara Samir

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Body Mass Index ◽

Body Mass ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Salivary Cortisol ◽

The Body ◽

Metabolism Regulation ◽

Stress Levels ◽

Cortisol Levels ◽

High Achieving

Studies of stress and cortisol levels in adults indicate that keeping normal levels of cortisol is beneficial to subjects. The hormone cortisol has many functions including proper glucose metabolism, regulation of blood pressure, immune function, and inflammatory response. When cortisol levels spike, as with stress, there can be a negative effect on the individual. Due to the hectic pace of modern life, the body’s stress response does not always have time to return to normal, leading to cortisol levels remaining too high. This can lead to suppressed thyroid function, blood sugar imbalances, higher blood pressure, lowered immunity, and increased abdominal fat. Stress plays a prominent role in the lives of millions of people all across the globe. This problem is not one that affects solely the adult population but also a multitude of adolescents and children. Oftentimes, stress can have both a physical and psychological effect on an individual. Many persons report an effect on food consumption when under stressful situations, causing one to either eat more or less than normal. In turn, these eating patterns can potentially influence the Body Mass Index (BMI) of an individual. While increased stress can lead to a higher or lower than normal cortisol level and BMI in adults, the role in adolescents is not entirely clear. This study investigated whether there is a relationship between stress and BMI in high-achieving adolescents, aged 14 to 18. The Perceived Stress Scale survey paired with additional questions that helped determine variables believed to impact stress levels were administered to determine overall stress levels in each subject. To determine cortisol levels, a competitive enzyme immunoassay was used. This study indicates that there are no significant correlations between perceived stress levels, salivary cortisol levels, and BMI in this group of individuals. However, a distinct difference in self-assessed stress levels was apparent between males and females. Somewhat unexpectedly, a negative relationship was found between BMI and salivary cortisol levels and perceived stress and salivary cortisol levels.

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Anxiety Levels of Primary Caregivers of Children With Tracheostomy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Clinical Pediatrics ◽

10.1177/00099228211040661 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 000992282110406

Author(s):

Zeynep Reyhan Onay ◽

Tugba Ramasli Gursoy ◽

Tugba Sismanlar Eyuboglu ◽

Ayse Tana Aslan ◽

Azime Sebnem Soysal Acar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Trait Anxiety ◽

State Anxiety ◽

Primary Caregivers ◽

The State ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Children ◽

State And Trait Anxiety ◽

Anxiety Levels ◽

High Trait Anxiety ◽

Moment State

We aim to evaluate the anxiety levels of caregivers of children with tracheostomy during the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. Caregivers of 31 children with tracheostomy and 105 healthy children (control group) were included. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was administered via teleconference in order to investigate how participants describe how they feel at a particular moment (State) and how they generally feel (Trait). The trait anxiety levels of caregivers of children with tracheostomy were significantly higher ( P = .02). Their state anxiety levels were similar. The state and trait anxiety levels of caregivers of children with tracheostomy correlated ( r = 0.70, P < .001). At the end of the teleconference, caregivers of children with tracheostomy experienced greater anxiety relief than controls ( P < .001). Trait anxiety scores were higher among caregivers of children with tracheostomy, but their state anxiety levels were comparable to those of controls. Caregivers with high trait anxiety also exhibited high state anxiety. Informing caregivers of children with tracheostomy about COVID-19 via teleconference can reduce their anxiety during such stressful times.

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Cortisol secretion pattern in overweight/obese and normal-weight infants: a cross-sectional study

Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism ◽

10.1515/jpem-2019-0273 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 241-246

Author(s):

Ana Cristina Resende Camargos ◽

Pedro Henrique Scheidt Figueiredo ◽

Sueli Ferreira da Fonseca ◽

Mariana Aguiar de Matos ◽

Katherine Simone Caires Oliveira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Salivary Cortisol ◽

Area Under The Curve ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Control Group ◽

Cortisol Secretion ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Highly Sensitive ◽

Cortisol Levels

AbstractBackgroundThe salivary circadian diurnal cortisol plays an important role in growth and development. Inappropriate levels may induce changes associated with an increased risk of obesity later in life. It is unknown if there are differences in cortisol secretion pattern between overweight/obese infants when compared with theirs peers in infancy. Thus, this study aimed to compare the salivary cortisol secretion pattern in overweight/obese and normal-weight infants.MethodsThirty-three (overweight/obese = 17 and normal weight = 16) infants between 6 and 24 months of age had saliva samples collected upon awakening (T1), 30 min after waking (T2), at 12:00 am or before the baby’s meal (T3), and prior to bedtime (T4). Highly sensitive enzyme immunoassays were used for cortisol analyses.ResultsSalivary cortisol levels were similar between the groups: T1 (p = 0.22; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −5.65, 1.37), T2 (p = 0.24; 95% CI: −8.23, 2.17), T3 (p = 0.95; 95% CI: −3.16, 2.96), and T4 (p = 0.81; 95% CI: −1.39, 1.08); and no differences were observed between area under the curve (AUC) (p = 0.80; 95% CI: −4.58–13.66). The cortisol level reduced in T4 (95% CI: 1.35–2.96) compared to T1 (95% CI: 5.15–8.49) and T2 in the overweight/obese group (p < 0.001; 95% CI: 6.02–11.04). In the normal-weight group, the cortisol reduced in T3 (95% CI: 2.86–8.18) compared to T1 (95% CI: 5.64–12.28) and decreased until T4 (p = 0.001; 95% CI: 1.25–3.37).ConclusionsThe overweight/obese infant group presented a different pattern of cortisol secretion, although cortisol levels did not differ between the control group.

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Eye tracking and attentional bias for depressive internet memes in depression

Experimental Brain Research ◽

10.1007/s00221-020-06001-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Umair Akram ◽

Jason G. Ellis ◽

Glhenda Cau ◽

Frayer Hershaw ◽

Ashlieen Rajenthran ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Eye Movements ◽

Attentional Bias ◽

Control Group ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Significant Group ◽

Symptoms Of Depression ◽

Total Fixation ◽

Potential Benefits ◽

Type Interaction

AbstractPrevious research highlights the potential benefits of engaging with depressive internet memes for those experiencing symptoms of depression. This study aimed to determine whether: compared to non-depressed controls, individuals experiencing depressive symptoms were quicker to orient and maintain overall attention for internet memes depicting depressive content relative to neutral memes. N = 21 individuals were grouped based on the severity of reported depression symptoms using the PhQ-9. Specifically, a score of: ≤ 4 denoted the control group; and ≥ 15 the depressive symptoms group. Participants viewed a series of meme pairs depicting depressive and neutral memes for periods of 4000 ms. Data for the first fixation onset and duration, total fixation count and total fixation and gaze duration of eye-movements were recorded. A significant group x meme-type interaction indicated that participants with depressive symptoms displayed significantly more fixations on depressive rather than neutral memes. These outcomes provide suggestive evidence for the notion that depressive symptoms are associated with an attentional bias towards socio-emotionally salient stimuli.

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