Year: 2026 | Month: September | Volume: 13 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 166-180
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20260919
Phase Angle and Psychological Stress: A Review of Physiological Mechanisms, Cellular Health and Mental Well-being
Dr Kavita Gupta1, Dr Lalita Chaudhary2, Dr Megha Kulshreshtha3, Dr Alka Srivastava4, Dr Sanjana Chahar5
1Senior Resident, Department of Physiology, UNS ASMC, ABVP, Jaunpur, India.
2Principal, Department of Physiology, MV, ASMC, ABVP, Bijnor, India
3,4Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, LLRM, CCSU, Meerut, India.
5Junior Resident, Department of Physiology, LLRM, CCSU, Meerut, India.
Corresponding Author: Dr Kavita Gupta
ABSTRACT
Psychological stress is increasingly recognised as an important factor influencing both mental and physical health. Persistent activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and sympathetic nervous system (SNS) during chronic stress elevates cortisol and catecholamine levels, promoting oxidative stress, inflammation, and alterations in cellular hydration and membrane integrity. These physiological changes may be reflected by phase angle (PhA), a bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)-derived parameter that serves as a non-invasive indicator of cell membrane integrity, body cell mass, and overall cellular health. Emerging evidence suggests that lower PhA values are associated with poor nutritional status, reduced muscle quality, chronic inflammation, and several disease conditions. More recently, researchers have explored its relationship with mental well-being, reporting reduced PhA in individuals experiencing psychological distress, anxiety, and depression. The observed decline in PhA is believed to result from stress-induced shifts in intracellular and extracellular fluid balance, impaired cellular function, and loss of membrane integrity. As PhA integrates nutritional, metabolic, and physiological information, it may provide valuable insight into the biological consequences of psychological stress beyond conventional psychological assessments. This narrative review summarises the physiological mechanisms linking psychological stress with alterations in phase angle, examines current evidence supporting PhA as a potential biomarker of mental well-being, discusses its clinical relevance, and highlights future research directions for incorporating phase angle into comprehensive mental health assessment and monitoring.
Keywords: Bioelectrical impedance, Phase angle, Psychological Stress, Mental well-being, Cellular health, Stress biomarkers
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