Integrative physiological and behavioral science : the official journal of the Pavlovian Society
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Integr Physiol Behav Sci · Jan 2005
Autonomic activity, pain, and perceived health in patients on sick leave due to stress-related illnesses.
The aim of the present study was to compare autonomic activity, pressure-pain thresholds, and subjective assessments of health and behavior between patients with stress-related illnesses and healthy control subjects. ⋯ The results indicate an engagement of the autonomic nervous system in stress-related illnesses. Furthermore, they show that patients with stress-related illnesses experience symptoms of musculoskeletal pain, and it is therefore recommended that assessments of musculoskeletal pain be incorporated in the clinical examinations and the rehabilitation of patients with stress-related illnesses.