Self-regulation of salivary immunoglobulin A by children

Abstract

In a prospective randomized controlled study, the possibility that children could regulate their own salivary immunoglobulins was investigated using cyberphysiologic techniques. Fifty-seven children were randomly assigned to one of three groups. Group A subjects learned self-hypnosis with permission to increase immune substances in saliva as they chose; group B subjects learned self-hypnosis with specific suggestions for control of saliva immunoglobulins; group C subjects were given no instructions but received equal attention time. At the first visit, saliva samples (baseline) were collected, and each child looked at a videotape concerning the immune system and was tested with the Stanford Children's Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale. At the second visit, an initial saliva sample was collected prior to 30 minutes of self-hypnosis practice or conversation. At the conclusion of the experiment, a third saliva sample was obtained. Salivary IgA and IgG levels for all groups were stable from the first to the second sampling. Children in group B demonstrated a significant increase in IgA (P less than .01) during the experimental period. There were no significant changes in IgG. Stanford Children's Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale scores were stable across groups and did not relate to immunoglobulin changes.