The Impact of Psychological Stress on Wound Healing: Methods and Mechanisms

Converging and replicated evidence indicates that psychological stress can modulate wound-healing processes. This article reviews the methods and findings of experimental models of wound healing. Psychological stress can have a substantial and clinically relevant impact on wound repair. Physiologic stress responses can directly influence wound-healing processes. Furthermore, psychological stress can indirectly modulate the repair process by promoting the adoption of health-damaging behaviors. Translational work is needed to develop innovative treatments able to attenuate stress-induced delays in wound healing.