Psychoneuroimmunology (VPUPK_428)
About Study Course
Objective
Ensure an appropriate, clinically applicable understanding of the mechanisms of interaction between the psyche-nervous system-endocrine system-immune system at the level of the professional master, developing the ability to interpret PNI studies in a critical manner, evaluate the importance of stress and inflammatory processes in the context of psychiatric and somatic health, as well as reasonably integrate PNI principles into the conceptualisation, psychological evaluation and intervention planning of the client case in an interdisciplinary team.
Prerequisites
Study courses acquired:Clinical and health psychology.Biopsychosocial approach to health and health psychology.The regulation and health of the body’s functions.
Learning outcomes
1.1. Explains basic mechanisms of PNI: stress physiology (HPA axis, ANS), inflammatory signaling pathways, key principles of immune response, and their relationship to psychological processes.
2. Describes common PNI biomarkers (e.g. CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, cortisol; sleep/HRV indicators) and their interpretation limitations.
1.1. Critical assessment of quality and conclusions of PNI studies (design, sample, measurement times, confounders, effect sizes, causation limits).
2. Integrates PNI findings into client case conceptualization (biopsychosocial model) by formulating reasonable hypotheses about mechanisms and risks.
3. Develop evidence-based rationale for the psychological intervention plan, linking it to the objectives of stress and inflammatory regulation (e.g. sleep improvement, stress management, physical activity, behavioural changes), within the limits of professional competence.
1.Cooperate professionally with medical practitioners and other specialists, integrating into a multiprofessional team, reasonably presenting conclusions and recommendations based on PNI analysis, evaluating and critically separating psychological interventions (such as SFBT) from medical diagnostic and treatment methods, ensuring the protection of the patient’s interests. Demonstrates a high level of responsibility by rightly choosing ethically and legally correct solutions for dealing with sensitive health data.
