Skip to main content

Mind–Body Therapies

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Integrative Dermatology

Abstract

Acne vulgaris is the most common skin condition in the United States, affecting 50 million Americans annually and more than 85% of adolescents worldwide. Although rosacea is estimated to affect 10% of the population, its impact should not be underestimated. The pathogenesis of both of these conditions is multifactorial. One of these factors is stress. It is well established that acne has physical sequelae such as disfigurement and permanent scarring, yet the long-lasting psychosocial effects that can impact a patient’s quality of life do not often receive equal attention. Anxiety, depression, social isolation, and suicidal ideation are common comorbidities of acne that cannot be overlooked in the management of acne patients. Research suggests that the impact on quality of life can be alleviated by mind–body therapies including biofeedback, meditation, and hypnosis, with resultant stress management, stress reduction, and improvement in the clinical manifestations of acne and rosacea.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Chen Y, Lyga J. Brain-skin connection: stress, inflammation and skin aging. Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets. 2014;13(3):177–90.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  2. Honeyman JF. Psychoneuroimmunology and the skin. Acta Derm Venereol. 2016;217:38–46.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Rainer BM, Kang S, Chien AL. Rosacea: epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment. Dermato-endocrinology. 2017;9(1):e1361574.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Hughes H, Brown BW, Lawlis GF, Fulton JE Jr. Treatment of acne vulgaris by biofeedback relaxation and cognitive imagery. J Psychosom Res. 1983;27:185–91.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Shenefelt P. Psychological interventions in the management of common skin conditions. Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2010;3:51–63.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  6. Gieler U, Gieler T, Kupfer JP. Acne and quality of life - impact and management. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2015;29(Suppl 4):12–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Balkrishnan R, McMichael AJ, Hu JY, Camacho FT, Shew KR, Bouloc A, et al. Correlates of health-related quality of life in women with severe facial blemishes. Int J Dermatol. 2006;45:111–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Ritvo E, Rosso JQ, Stillman MA, Riche C. Psychosocial judgements and perceptions of adolescents with acne vulgaris: a blinded, controlled comparison of adult and peer evaluations. Biopsychosoc Med. 2011;5:11.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Timms RM. Moderate acne as a potential barrier to social relationships: myth or reality? Psychol Health Med. 2013;18:310–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Halvorsen JA, Stern RS, Dalgard F, Thoresen M, Bjertness E, Lien L. Suicidal ideation, mental health problems, and social impairment are increased in adolescents with acne: a population-based study. J Invest Dermatol. 2011;131:363–70.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Jones-Caballero M, Chren MM, Soler B, Pedrosa E, Peñas PF. Quality of life in mild to moderate acne: relationship to clinical severity and factors influencing change with treatment. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2007;21:219–26.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Demircay Z, Seckin D, Senol A, Demir F. Patient’s perspective: an important issue not to be overlooked in assessing acne severity. Eur J Dermatol. 2008;18:181–4.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Dreno B, Alirezai M, Auffret N, Beylot C, Chivot M, Daniel F, et al. Clinical and psychological correlation in acne: use of the ECLA and CADI scales. Ann Dermatol Venereol. 2007;134:451–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Yazici K, Baz K, Yazici AE, Köktürk A, Tot S, Demirseren D, et al. Disease-specific quality of life is associated with anxiety and depression in patients with acne. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2004;18:435–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Dalgard FJ, Gieler U, Tomas-Aragones L, Lien L, Poot F, Jemec GBE, et al. The psychological burden of skin diseases: a cross-sectional multicenter study among dermatological out-patients in 13 European Countries. J Invest Dermatol. 2015;135(4):984–91.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  16. Cunliffe WJ. Acne and unemployment. Br J Dermatol. 1986;115:386.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Krejci-Manwaring J, Kerchner K, Feldman SR, Rapp DA, Rapp SR. Social sensitivity and acne: the role of personality in negative social consequences and quality of life. Int J Psychiatry Med. 2006;36:121–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Oussedik E, Bourcier M, Tan J. Psychosocial burden and other impacts of rosacea on patients’ quality of life. Dermatol Clin. 2018;36(2):103–13.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Chiu A, Chon SY, Kimball AB. The response of skin disease to stress: changes in the severity of acne vulgaris as affected by examination stress. Arch Dermatol. 2003;139(7):897–900.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Orion E, Wolf R. Psychologic factors in the development of facial dermatoses. Clin Dermatol. 2014;32(6):763–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Elenkov IJ, Webster EL, Torpy DJ, Chrousos GP. Stress, corticotropin-releasing hormone, glucocorticoids, and the immune/inflammatory response: acute and chronic effects. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1999;876:1–11.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Slominski A, Wortsman J, Tuckey RC, Paus R. Differential expression of HPA axis homolog in the skin. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2007;265–266:143–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Toyoda M, Morohashi M. Pathogenesis of acne. Med Electron Microsc. 2001;34:29–40.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Alexopoulos A, Chrousos GP. Stress-related skin disorders. Rev Endocr Metab Disord. 2016;17:295.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Zari S, Alrahmani D. The association between stress and acne among female medical students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2017;10:503–6.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  26. Morgan N, Irwin MR, Chung M, Wang C. The effects of mind-body therapies on the immune system: meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2014;9(7):e100903.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Bower JE, Irwin MR. Mind-body therapies and control of inflammatory biology: a descriptive review. Brain Behav Immun. 2016;51:1–11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Muehsam D, Lutgendorf S, Mills PJ, Rickhi B, Chevalier G, Bat N, et al. The embodied mind: a review on functional genomic and neurological correlates of mind-body therapies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2017;73:165–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Stahl JE, Dossett ML, LaJoie AS, Denninger JW, Mehta DH, Goldman R, et al. Relaxation response and resiliency training and its effect on healthcare resource utilization. PLoS One. 2015;10(10):e0140212.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Dhabhar FS. Psychological stress and immunoprotection versus immunopathology in the skin. Clin Dermatol. 2013;31(1):18–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Dusek JA, Benson H. Mind-body medicine: a model of the comparative clinical impact of the acute stress and relaxation responses. Minn Med. 2009;92(5):47–50.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  32. Breit S, Kupferberg A, Rogler G, Hasler G. Vagus nerve as modulator of the brain–gut axis in psychiatric and inflammatory disorders. Front Psych. 2018;9:44–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Schutte NS, Malouff JM. A meta-analytic review of the effects of mindfulness meditation on telomerase activity. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2014;42:45–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Marchand WR. Mindfulness-based stress reduction, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and Zen meditation for depression, anxiety, pain, and psychological distress. J Psychiatr Pract. 2012;18(4):233–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Shenefelt PD. Psychodermatological disorders: recognition and treatment. Int J Dermatol. 2011;50(11):1309–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Shenefelt PD. Using hypnosis to facilitate resolution of psychogenic excoriations in acne excoriée. Am J Clin Hypn. 2004;46(3):239–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Wolsko PM, Eisenberg DM, Davis RB, Phillips RS. Use of mind-body medical therapies. J Gen Intern Med. 2004;19(1):43–50.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  38. Kim B, Lee SH, Kim YW, Choi TK, Yook K, Suh SY, et al. Effectiveness of a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy program as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy in patients with panic disorder. J Anxiety Disord. 2010;24(6):590–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Godfrin KA, van Heeringen C. The effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on recurrence of depressive episodes, mental health and quality of life: a randomized controlled study. Behav Res Ther. 2010;48(8):738–46.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Zeidan F, Martucci KT, Kraft RA, Gordon NS, McHaffie JG, Coghill RC. Brain mechanisms supporting the modulation of pain by mindfulness meditation. J Neurosci. 2011;14:5540–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Zeidan F, Johnson SK, Diamond BJ, David Z, Goolkasian P. Mindfulness meditation improves cognition: evidence of brief mental training. Conscious Cogn. 2010;2:597–605.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Hölzel BK, Carmody J, Vangel M, Congleton C, Yerramsetti SM, Gard T, et al. Mindfulness practice leads to increases in regional brain gray matter density. Psychiatry Res. 2011;191(1):36–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Benson H, Klipper MZ. The relaxation response. New York: Avon; 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Schenefelt P. Biofeedback, cognitive-behavioral methods, and hypnosis in dermatology: it is all in your mind? Dermatol Ther. 2003;16:114–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Manzoni GM, Pagnini F, Castelnuovo G, Molinari E. Relaxation training for anxiety: a ten-years systematic review with meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry. 2008;8:41.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  46. Veerkamp P, Mousdicas N, Bednarek R. Rosacea fulminans precipitated by acute stress: a case report describing an integrative approach for a patient reluctant to use isotretinoin. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2016;15(6):32–5.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Fried RG, Hussain SH. Nonpharmacological management of common skin and psychocutaneous disorders. Dermatol Ther. 2008;21:60–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Hofmann SG, Asnaani A, Vonk IJ, Sawyer AT, Fang A. The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy: a review of meta-analyses. Cognit Ther Res. 2012;36(5):427–44.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  49. Clond M. Emotional freedom techniques for anxiety: a systematic review with meta-analysis. J Nerv Ment Dis. 2016;204(5):388–95.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Clarke TC, Back LI, Stussman BJ, Barnes PM, Nahin RL. Trends in the use of complementary health approaches among adults: United States. 2002–2012. National health statistics reports: no 79. Hyattsville: National Center for Health Statistics; 2015.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Saoji AA, Raghavendra BR, Manjunath NK. Effects of yogic breath regulation: a narrative review of scientific evidence. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2019;10(1):50–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Jerath R, Edry JW, Barnes VA, Jerath V. Physiology of long pranayamic breathing: neural respiratory elements may provide a mechanism that explains how slow deep breathing shifts the autonomic nervous system. Med Hypotheses. 2006;67(3):566–71.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Kuppusamy M, Kamaldeen D, Pitani R, Amaldas J, Shanmugam P. Effects of Bhramari Pranayama on health -a systematic review. J Tradit Complement Med. 2018;8(1):11–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Mohammad A, Thakur P, Kumar R, Kaur S, Saini RV, Saini AK. Biological markers for the effects of yoga as a complementary and alternative medicine. J Complement Integr Med. 2019;16(1):1–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Rathore M, Abraham J. Implication of asana, pranayama and meditation on telomere stability. Int J Yoga. 2018;11(3):186–93.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  56. Snow S, Bernardi NF, Sabet-Kassouf N, Moran D, Lehmann A. Exploring the experience and effects of vocal toning. J Music Ther. 2018;55(2):221–50.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Jahnke R, Larkey L, Rogers C, Etnier J, Lin F. A comprehensive review of health benefits of qigong and tai chi. Am J Health Promot. 2010;24(6):e1–e25.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  58. Chu DA. Tai chi, qi gong and reiki. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2004;15(4):773–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Lee M, Soo Lee M, Kim H, Moon S. Qigong reduced blood pressure and catecholamine levels of patients with essential hypertension. Int J Neurosci. 2003;113:1691.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Tai H-C, Chou Y-S, Tzeng I-S, Wei C-Y, Su C-H, Liu W-C, et al. Effect of tai chi synergy T1 exercise on autonomic function, metabolism, and physical fitness of healthy individuals. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2018;2018:6351938.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  61. Matos LC, Sousa CM, Gonçalves M, Gabriel J, Machado J, Greten HJ. Qigong as a traditional vegetative biofeedback therapy: long-term conditioning of physiological mind-body effects. Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:531789.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  62. Jalalat S. Yoga for dermatologic conditions. Cutis. 2015;95(4):E23–5.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Wang F, E-KO L, Wu T, Benson H, Fricchione G, Wang W, et al. The effects of tai chi on depression, anxiety, and psychological well-being: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Behav Med. 2014;21(4):605–17.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Tsai J-C, Wang W-H, Chan P, Lin LJ, Wang CH, Tomlinson B, et al. The beneficial effects of Tai Chi Chuan on blood pressure and lipid profile and anxiety in a randomized controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2003;9:747–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Chen HH, Yeh ML, Lee FY. The effects of baduanjin qigong in the prevention of bone loss for middle-aged women. Am J Chin Med. 2006;34:741–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Jeter PE, Slutsky J, Singh N, Khalsa SBS. Yoga as a therapeutic intervention: a bibliometric analysis of published research studies from 1967 to 2013. J Altern Complement Med. 2015;21(10):586–92.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  67. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. The use of complementary and alternative medicine in the United States. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2017.

    Google Scholar 

  68. Balasubramaniam M, Telles S, Doraiswamy PM. Yoga on our minds: a systematic review of yoga for neuropsychiatric disorders. Front Psych. 2012;3:117.

    Google Scholar 

  69. Kiecolt-Glaser JK, Christian L, Preston H, Houts CR, Malarkey WB, Emery CF, et al. Stress, inflammation, and yoga practice. Psychosom Med. 2010;72(2):113–21.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  70. Namazi MR, Parhizkar AR, Jowkar F. Serum levels of hypersensitive-C-reactive protein in moderate and severe acne. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2015;6(4):253–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  71. Iliev E. Acupuncture in dermatology. Clin Dermatol. 1998;16(6):659–88.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. Mansu SSY, Liang H, Parker S, Coyle ME, Wang K, Zhang AL, et al. Acupuncture for acne vulgaris: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2018;2018:4806734.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  73. Cao H-J, Yang G-Y, Wang Y-Y, Liu J-P. Acupoint stimulation for acne: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Med Acupunct. 2013;25(3):173–94.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  74. Gao Y, Lin W, Zhou S, Shi G, He J, Chen Y. Treatment of rosacea using acupuncture for improving the local skin microcirculation: a case report. Medicine. 2018;97(34):e11931.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  75. Gabriella H. Biomedical effects of acupuncture. Int J Complement Altern Med. 2015;2(1):1–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  76. Malizia E, Andreucci G, Paolucci D, Crescenzi F, Fabbri A, Fraioli F. Electroacupuncture and peripheral beta-endorphin and ACTH levels. Lancet. 1979;2(8141):535–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  77. Smith CA, Armour M, Lee MS, Wang L-Q, Hay PJ. Acupuncture for depression. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;3(3):CD004046.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  78. Li M, Xing X, Yao L, Li X, He W, Wang M, et al. Acupuncture for treatment of anxiety, an overview of systematic reviews. Complement Ther Med. 2019;43:247–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  79. McManus DE. Reiki is better than placebo and has broad potential as a complementary health therapy. J Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017;22(4):1051–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  80. Doğan M. The effect of reiki on pain: a meta-analysis. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2018;31:384–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  81. Billot M, Daycard M, Wood C, Tchalla A. Reiki therapy for pain, anxiety and quality of life. BMJ Support Palliat Care. 2019;9:434–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  82. Morhenn V, Beavin LE, Zak PJ. Massage increases oxytocin and reduces adrenocorticotropin hormone in humans. Altern Ther Health Med. 2012;18(6):11–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  83. Rapaport MH, Schettler P, Bresee C. A preliminary study of the effects of a single session of Swedish massage on hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal and immune function in normal individuals. J Altern Complement Med. 2010;16(10):1079–88.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  84. Cohen R, Irwin L, Newton-John T, Slater A. #bodypositivity: a content analysis of body positive accounts on Instagram. Body Image. 2019;29:47–57.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  85. Unterrainer H-F, Lukanz M, Pilch M, Scharf S, Glawischnig-Goschnik M, Wutte N, et al. Spirituality and mood pathology in severe skin conditions: a prospective observational study. Arch Dermatol Res. 2016;308(7):521–5.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  86. Siegel K, Anderman SJ, Schrimshaw EW. Religion and coping with health-related stress. Psychol Health. 2001;16(6):631–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  87. Bradt J, Dileo C, Potvin N. Music for stress and anxiety reduction in coronary heart disease patients. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;12:CD006577.

    Google Scholar 

  88. Przezdziecki A, Alcorso J, Sherman KA. My changed body: background, development and acceptability of a self-compassion based writing activity for female survivors of breast cancer. Patient Educ Couns. 2016;99(5):870–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  89. Uttley L, Stevenson M, Scope A, Rawdin A, Sutton A. The clinical and cost effectiveness of group art therapy for people with non-psychotic mental health disorders: a systematic review and cost-effectiveness analysis. BMC Psychiatry. 2015;15:151.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Keira L. Barr .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Barr, K.L., Soutor, C.A., Franklin, J.M.M. (2021). Mind–Body Therapies. In: Rupani, R.N., Lio, P.A. (eds) Integrative Dermatology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-58954-7_8

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-58954-7_8

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-58953-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-58954-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics