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For this study 134 stable cardiac patients were recruited and assigned randomly into three different groups. The exercise group received 35 minutes of aerobic training 3 times a week for 16 weeks while the 'stress management group' received stress management therapy for 1.5 hours once a week for 16 weeks. The third group, which also served as the control group, received only regular pharmacological intervention. At the end of the study period, the researchers conducted ultrasound-imaging study of the brachial artery before and after the application of a tourniquet to record endothelial dialation. The results siuggested that the experimental subjects (both exercise group as well as behavioral therapy group) achieved a 25% improvement in 'flow mediated dialation' compared to the control group that received only medical treatment. James Blumenthal, the lead researcher reported, "To our knowledge, this is the first study to show that stress management might reduce cardiovascular risk in part through beneficial effects on vascular endothelial function," [Blumenthal J, 2005]
Conclusion Miller, Ph.D., Washington University at St. Louis; Sheldon Cohen,
Stress is part of our life and there are elaborate coping mechanisms to deal with it. Stress causes various physiological changes in the body, which have to be controlled within a short period of time to restore homeostasis. We are still a long way from understanding with any certainty the biological mechanisms linking stress and diseases, and the reasons why some people handle stress better than others. What we are aware is that a complex interplay of neurotransmitters, hormones, and several modulatory mechanisms are involved both in preparing the body to deal with a stressful situation and in maintaining the homeostasis of the body. However, when these coping mechanisms become stretched for prolonged periods of time we suffer the consequences of stress induced illness. Chronic stress problem should be carefully managed. A combination of regular exercises with behavioral therapy is ideal in the treatment of stress.
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Bibliography
1) AIS, 'Stress, Definition of Stress, Stressor, What is Stress?, Eustress?',
Accessed Apr 25th 2009, available at, http://www.stress.org/topic-definition- stress.htm?AIS=2afb4b0a5c7ac99b4e4b063591d971d2
2) Gregory E. Miller, Ph.D., Washington University at St. Louis; Sheldon Cohen,
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6) James A Blumenthal, PhD, Andrew Sherwood, PhD & Michael A Babyak PhD, et.al (2005), 'Effects of exercise and Stress Management Training on Markers of Cardiovascular Risk in Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease', JAMA. 2005;293:1626-1634. http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/293/13/1626
2009, Available at, http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/cortisol.htm
Available at, http://www.fi.edu/learn/brain/stress.html
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