Directing Attention to Inflammation May Modulate Immune Response

A Nature Human Behaviour study reports that focusing attention on an inflammatory skin reaction can alter the body's immune response: participants who paid close attention to the sensation showed smaller inflammation (smaller wheal and flare) and faster resolution than those who were distracted, and the effect persisted somewhat even when the area was numb with lidocaine, implying brain–body pathways where attention helps regulate inflammation. The study involved skin-prick tests in a small sample, so applicability to illness remains to be shown.