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Review
. 2011 Feb;31(1):81-93.
doi: 10.1016/j.iac.2010.09.010.

The impact of psychological stress on wound healing: methods and mechanisms

Jean-Philippe Gouin  1 , Janice K Kiecolt-Glaser
Affiliations
Review

The impact of psychological stress on wound healing: methods and mechanisms

Jean-Philippe Gouin et al. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2011 Feb.

Abstract

Converging and replicated evidence indicates that psychological stress can modulate wound-healing processes. This article reviews the methods and findings of experimental models of wound healing. Psychological stress can have a substantial and clinically relevant impact on wound repair. Physiologic stress responses can directly influence wound-healing processes. Furthermore, psychological stress can indirectly modulate the repair process by promoting the adoption of health-damaging behaviors. Translational work is needed to develop innovative treatments able to attenuate stress-induced delays in wound healing.

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Figure 1
Behavioral and physiological pathways linking psychological stress and wound healing.
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