Psychoneuroimmuno modulation by controlled vestibular stimulation

Abstract

Acute stressors (lasting minutes) were associated with potentially adaptive up regulation of some parameters of natural immunity and down regulation of some functions of specific immunity. Brief naturalistic stressors (such as exams) tended to suppress cellular immunity while preserving humoral immunity. Chronic stressors were associated with suppression of both cellular and humoral measures. Vestibular system is connected with hypothalamus and hypothalamus regulates immune reactions. Stress responsiveness is primarily regulated by two neuroendocrine axes: the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) and sympathetic adrenomedullary (SAM) systems. A thorough review of literature revealed that vestibular stimulation inhibits both HPA axis and SAM axis and decreases cortisol level and heart rate and blood pressure within normal limits and brings to stress-less condition and prevents immune suppression. It is the need of time to identify the importance of vestibular stimulation and to start translational research for the well being and peak performance of human being and also for patient care and treatment.

Controlled Vestibular Stimulation: A Physiological Method of Stress Relief

“…Vestibular stimulation inhibits both the stress axes (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) and sympathetic adrenomedullary (SAM) )and decreases cortisol level and heart rate and blood pressure within normal limits. Swaying appears to decrease salivary cortisol levels in African elephants [13]. Infants who received auditory, tactile, visual and vestibular interventions showed a significant steady decline in cortisol [14][15][16].…”

Modulation of immune responses in stress by vestibular stimulation

“…[22,23] Hence, we hypothesized that vestibular stimulation may modulate immune functions through hippocampus. [6] Vestibular stimulation may limit stress induced changes in immunity by inhibiting both the stress axes, as both animal and human studies reported decrease in cortisol and blood pressure followed by vestibular stimulation. [24][25][26] Interestingly, vestibular lesions cause increase in cortisol levels.…”

“…It was reported National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacologythat cellular and humoral immunity is suppressed by chronic stress whereas acute stress suppresses cellular immunity. [5,6] Studies show that lymphocytosis, mobilization of specific lymphocyte subtypes includes cytotoxic cells such as NK cells and CD8T cells, increased NK cell cytotoxicity, increased salivary and serum immunoglobulin A secretion rate, stimulation of aspects of the complement system, enhanced vaccination response, and faster wound healing, immune cell subtypes such as T regulatory cells, memory T cells, and immune cells specific to certain pathogens, such as cytomegalovirus, are sensitive to acute psychological stress. [7] The vestibular stimulation is the sensory apparatus of the inner ear that helps the body maintain its postural equilibrium.…”

Stress, Thyroid Hormone Secretion and Vestibular Stimulation: A Review of the Links

“…Vestibular stimulation relieves stress, pain, promotes sleep, improves cognition, immunity, balance food intake and also treats endocrine disorders. [18][19][20][21][22] Anxiety patients with poorly adaptation to vestibular lesion are parallel to quality and quantity of stress. 23 Recent study reported that, vestibular stimulation will signi ficantly reduce the cold water swing stress induced thyroid changes in Wistar albino rats.…”