0334 Use of salivary biomarkers to evaluate response to a stress management intervention. (23rd June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Koh, David
• Is Part Of: Occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 71(2014)Supplement 1
• Page Start: A109
• Page End: A109
• Publication Date: 2014-06-23
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; 616.980305
• DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2014-102362.343
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-0711

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: To discuss methodological issues related to using salivary biomarkers to evaluate response to a stress management intervention. Method: Findings from a study which utilised salivary biomarkers to evaluate group responses to a stress management program are discussed. In that study, we measured responses to qigong practice as a stress intervention among 34 healthy adults. Results: Specific biomarkers studied were a stress hormone (cortisol); a surrogate marker co-released with acute stress (alpha amylase); and a marker of early physiological response to stress i.e. immune status as reflected by immunoglobulin A (IgA). Salivary cortisol and IgA were monitored over 10 weeks in the intervention group (n = 18) and the control group (n = 16). Median salivary cortisol concentrations (nmol/l) at weeks 1, 6 and 10 were 4.4, 4.8, 4.3 and 4.3, 4.0, 3.3 for the control and intervention groups. Median IgA secretion rates (μg/min) were 58.9, 63.6 and 67.4 for the control group and 43.8, 54.9 and 72.9 for the intervention group. Acute response to qigong practice, measured by median salivary alpha amylase (U/ml) showed no significant change before and after a one hour session of practice (107.7 and 93.8). Saliva collection technique, circadian rhythm and half-life of the biomarkers, and their relative concentrations in different body compartments e.g. blood and saliva, can affect the results and were taken into account in the study protocol. Conclusions: For valid interpretation of study findings, the choice of biological markers and other methodological issues have to be considered when using salivary biomarkers to evaluate response to a stress management intervention.