The main aim of this thesis is to examine the effectiveness of innovative psychological interventions on health optimization by (1) evaluating the effectiveness of innovative psychological tools, i... Show moreThe main aim of this thesis is to examine the effectiveness of innovative psychological interventions on health optimization by (1) evaluating the effectiveness of innovative psychological tools, i.e., serious gaming, verbal suggestions, and internet-based interventions, to optimize various health behaviors and psychophysiological outcomes; (2) providing a concise overview of the currently existing evidence of psychological interventions in optimizing immune function in response to in vitro or in vivo immunological as well as psychophysiological challenges; and (3) incorporating various self-reporting, behavioral and psychophysiological outcome measures, but also physical and psychophysiological challenges, including psychophysiological, physical and/or cognitive stressors, to evaluate the effectiveness of psychological interventions on health outcomes. Show less
Previous research has provided evidence for the link between psychological processes and psychophysiological health outcomes. Psychological interventions, such as face-to-face or online cognitive... Show morePrevious research has provided evidence for the link between psychological processes and psychophysiological health outcomes. Psychological interventions, such as face-to-face or online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and serious games aimed at improving health, have shown promising results in promoting health outcomes. Few studies so far, however, have examined whether Internet-based CBT combined with serious gaming elements is effective in modulating health outcomes. Moreover, studies often did not incorporate psychophysiological or immunological challenges in order to gain insight into physiological responses to real-life challenges after psychological interventions. The overall aim of this study is to investigate the effects of a psychological intervention on self-reported and physiological health outcomes in response to immune and psychophysiological challenges. Show less
