Psychologists Investigate if Emotional Treatments Improve Psoriasis Conditions
Psoriasis, an immune-mediated disease that affects approximately 7.5 million people in the United States, may soon see a new approach to treatment thanks to a study being conducted at the University of Rochester Medical Center. This study, led by Jan Moynihan, Ph.D., director of the Rochester Center for Mind-Body Research, aims to investigate the impact of psychological interventions on psoriasis attacks and the intensity of the disease.
The study will be a collaborative effort, involving researchers from several Medical Center departments, including Lisa Beck (associate professor of Dermatology), Francisco A. Tausk (professor of Dermatology), Christopher Ritchlin (professor of Medicine), Nancy L. Talbot (associate professor of Psychiatry), and Michael Krasner (assistant professor of Medicine).
The research team will test the effects of two interventions: Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Living Well. Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction uses meditation and yoga to develop a calm, non-judgmental awareness and acceptance of the present moment. On the other hand, Living Well is a didactic intervention that includes seminars on relevant topics, such as sleep, nutrition, and the importance of exercise.
The study will track the cytokines and other markers in skin lesions and blood of volunteers to measure and monitor the biological changes resulting from these interventions. The team aims to determine if increasing psychological well-being results in measurable decreases in inflammation, potentially ameliorating the skin disease and inflammatory processes of psoriasis.
Psoriasis causes silvery scales and red patches, which are sites of inflammation and excessive production of skin cells. While medical treatments like biologics and phototherapy target skin inflammation directly, combining these with psychological interventions may improve overall patient outcomes by addressing the mind-skin connection.
The University of Rochester Medical Center is active in dermatology research and clinical education around psoriasis and its comprehensive care, including psychological aspects. The study, however, was not specifically identified in the current results. For the most accurate data on this topic, checking the official University of Rochester Medical Center publications or contacting their dermatology department directly would be recommended.
The study will be supported by a five-year grant from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, which has awarded University of Rochester Medical Center researchers $2.5 million for this research. The study suggests that low-cost, adjunctive psychological interventions could decrease psychological distress and potentially ameliorate the skin disease and inflammatory processes of psoriasis.
In summary, the study at the University of Rochester Medical Center aims to explore new ways that the brain can direct immune responses in psoriasis through psychological interventions. The study will test the effects of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Living Well on psoriasis attacks and the intensity of the disease, potentially providing a new, low-cost approach to treating this chronic inflammatory disease of the skin.
