Association of Daily Stressors and Salivary Cortisol in Spinal Cord Injury

Rehabil Psychol, 2009 · DOI: 10.1037/a0016614 · Published: August 1, 2009

Spinal Cord Injury Mental Health Research Methodology & Design

Simple Explanation

The study examines the relationship between daily stressors, cortisol levels, and mood in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) compared to those without SCI. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) was used to collect data on cortisol, stress, and mood in real-time and natural environments. The study found that stress in daily life and its association with cortisol and mood were largely similar between persons with and without SCI.

Study Duration

2 Days

Participants

25 persons with SCI and 26 without SCI

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Diurnal variation of cortisol of participants with SCI reflected an expected pattern.
2
No significant group differences for cortisol diurnal pattern, stress or mood.
3
When stress was present, cortisol values were significantly lower for participants with SCI than when stress was not present.

Research Summary

This study examined the diurnal variation of salivary cortisol in adults with SCI and the effect of stressors on cortisol and mood using ecological momentary assessment (EMA). The study found no significant group differences for cortisol diurnal pattern, stress, or mood, but indicated lower cortisol reactivity to stress in participants with SCI. The study concludes that stress in daily life and its association with cortisol and mood were largely similar between persons with and without SCI, highlighting the utility of EMA in rehabilitation psychology research.

Practical Implications

EMA Feasibility

The study demonstrates the feasibility of using EMA to collect biological and behavioral data from participants with mobility impairments.

Stress Reactivity

The inverse relationship between stress and cortisol secretion in SCI warrants further investigation, potentially related to trauma or HPA axis alterations.

Clinical Practice

Results suggest the need to test presumptions about daily life stress in SCI using prospective methods to pinpoint specific stressors affecting well-being.

Study Limitations

1
Small sample size limits generalization to the larger SCI population.
2
SCI participants were drawn from a research registry and are likely to represent fairly high functioning and healthy participants.
3
Other covariates known to effect stress, cortisol, and mood, such as sleep quality were not included in this study and may have had an effect on outcomes.

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