Robert Ader and Nicholas Cohen from the University of Rochester, New York, were among the first scientists to contribute to the then nascent field of Psychoneuroimmunology, beginning in 1980.

This multi-disciplinary field can be defined as the study of interactions between behavioural, neural, endocrine, and immune processes within the biological system as a whole.
Although significant research was conducted throughout the 80s and 90s, thanks to advances in technology, research in the field has advanced rapidly over the past decade. Emerging research has described the impact of psychological and physiological disease on psychoneuroimmunology, as well as the role that a variety of mind-body interventions can have at restoring equilibrium to these interconnected systems.

We welcome authors to contribute manuscripts that add to the expanding field of mind-body interventions and their subsequent impact on human psychoneuroimmunology.

Established mind-body interventions with an empirical basis include:
(1) Standardised meditation practices – mantra meditation; mindfulness-based approaches; transcendental meditation; compassion-focused meditation; attention-based meditative practices.
(2) The third wave of cognitive-based therapies – acceptance commitment therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy; metacognitive therapy; dialectical behaviour therapy.
(3) Yoga; Pilates; Rolfing and craniosacral therapy.

Target groups and areas can include:
Healthcare professionals and workers in other high-stress environments (burnout limitation);
Patients experiencing musculoskeletal issues, chronic obstructive lung disease, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, HIV and TB diagnoses as well as chronic pain;
Cancer symptom amelioration, among others.

Potential systems to be investigated:
Innate and adaptive immunity; autonomic nervous system (through heart rate variability metrics);
Neurotransmitters;
Brain imaging;
Psychology;
HPA axis and stress hormone production;
Epigenetic regulation;
Gut microbiome;
Cardiovascular system;
Skin;
Interventions incorporating biofeedback are welcomed.

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Frontiers in Psychology

Participating Journals

Impact