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Pilot study in JNCCN explores new approach for reducing anxiety and improving quality of life after stem cell transplantation

Researchers developed a nine-week, phone-delivered positive psychology program called PATH to improve psychological well-being in blood cancer patients. The intervention had promising effects on patient-reported outcomes, with high participation and completion rates.

SourceNational Comprehensive Cancer Network·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·DateJun 11, 2024

Poor quality diet makes our brains sad

A study of 30 volunteers found that a poor diet can lead to changes in neurotransmitters and grey matter volume, commonly associated with depression and anxiety. Adhering to a Mediterranean-style diet was shown to prevent these changes.

SourceUniversity of Reading·JournalNutritional Neuroscience·TypeImaging analysis·DateJun 5, 2024

Assessment of knowledge of general and local anesthesia among patients undergoing elective surgery

A study of 370 patients undergoing elective surgery found that those with higher levels of awareness about anesthesia had better understanding of general and local anesthesia. Patients who underwent surgeries related to eyes, nose, and throat scored higher on the knowledge test due to limited sources of information.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Anesthesia Journal·DateMay 30, 2024

Parents of children with serious illness from Somali, Hmong, and Latin American communities desire better communication and support in pediatric health care

A study found that professional interpreters and respectful relationships between parents and medical staff improve trust and quality care. Parents desire active listening, collaboration, and consideration of their children's religious, spiritual, and cultural needs to build trust and receive comprehensive care.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 28, 2024

Fluoride exposure during pregnancy linked to increased risk of childhood neurobehavioral problems, study finds

A new US-based study examines the link between prenatal fluoride and childhood social, emotional and behavioral functioning. Higher fluoride exposure levels during pregnancy were associated with a higher chance of children showing neurobehavioral problems, including emotional reactivity, anxiety and somatic complaints.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateMay 20, 2024

Social media: the stuff of nightmares?

A new scale, SMNS, measures social media's impact on nightmares, finding a link between excessive social media use and negative mental health outcomes. The study suggests that responsible social media use can help mitigate the occurrence of social media-related nightmares.

SourceFlinders University·JournalBMC Psychology·TypeSurvey·DateMay 19, 2024

Climate change likely to aggravate brain conditions

A UCL-led team of researchers warn that climate change will aggravate brain conditions such as stroke, migraine, and dementia. The study, which reviewed 332 papers, found that extreme temperatures and weather events can disrupt sleep, exacerbate cognitive impairment, and lead to increased hospital admissions and mortality.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMay 15, 2024

Patients report significant symptom reduction within a single integrative medicine encounter

A new study by University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center found that patients seeking outpatient integrative health and medicine (IHM) care experience clinically meaningful reductions in symptoms of pain, anxiety, and stress after just one treatment. For all IHM modalities, patients with moderate-to-severe symptoms reported clinical...

SourceUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center·JournalGlobal Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health·DateMay 15, 2024

Don't matter if you're this or that

A research team at Kyoto University found that interactive AI programs can reduce prejudice and anxiety among historically divided ethnic groups in Afghanistan during online interactions. Participants in the AI intervention group showed more engagement and significantly less prejudice and anxiety compared to the control group.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCommunications Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 10, 2024

Self-critical perfectionism gnaws on students’ well-being already in lower secondary school

A new study among Finnish ninth-graders identified four perfectionistic profiles associated with varying levels of psychological well-being. The study found that perfectionistic profiles, particularly those characterized by high concerns, are linked to poorer well-being, including burnout and anxiety symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalLearning and Individual Differences·DateMay 6, 2024

Brief anger may impair blood vessel function

A new study found that brief anger episodes can negatively impact blood vessel function, leading to increased risk of heart disease and stroke. The researchers investigated the effects of anger, sadness, and anxiety on blood vessel function and found that evoking an angered state led to blood vessel dysfunction.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateMay 1, 2024

Listening to mindfulness audios during radiation improves physical, emotional side effects

Men with prostate cancer who listened to mindfulness audio recordings during radiation therapy experienced significant reductions in fatigue, sleep problems, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. The study found that the mindfulness intervention was more effective than listening to relaxing music during treatment.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalGlobal Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health·DateApr 30, 2024

Many children with symptoms of brain injuries and concussions are missing out on vital checks, national US study finds

A national US study found that nearly a quarter of children with symptoms of brain injuries or concussions were not checked for the condition. Younger children were more likely to be overlooked. Routine checks can help ensure these children receive necessary care and support their mental and social well-being.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalBrain Injury·TypeSurvey·DateApr 26, 2024

Psychiatric symptoms, treatment uptake, and barriers to mental health care among US adults with post–COVID-19 condition

A nationally representative study of 25,000 participants found that US adults with post-COVID-19 condition are more likely to experience depression and anxiety symptoms than the general population. Individuals with these symptoms reported higher rates of cost-related barriers to accessing mental health treatment.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateApr 25, 2024

Neurons spoil your appetite

Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence have discovered a brain circuit that inhibits food intake during nausea. The circuit involves special nerve cells in the amygdala, which send appetite-suppressing signals to distant brain regions, resulting in a loss of appetite.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalCell Reports·DateApr 24, 2024

Social media affects people’s views on mental illness

A study found that subtle differences in social media messages can influence young people's beliefs about depression and anxiety. Participants who read growth mindset tweets were more optimistic about treatment, while those reading fixed mindset tweets felt the conditions were more stable.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 23, 2024

New writing therapy helps late-stage cancer patients face biggest fears

A new clinical trial reveals that a novel writing therapy can significantly reduce cancer-related trauma, depression, anxiety, and hopelessness in late-stage cancer patients. By confronting their greatest fears through written exposure-based coping (EASE), participants experience improved mental well-being.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalJournal of Palliative Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateApr 22, 2024

Dietary treatment more effective than medicines in IBS

A study published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology found that dietary adjustments, such as a low FODMAP diet and low-carbohydrate diets, resulted in significantly reduced IBS symptoms for over seven out of ten patients. In contrast, medication-based treatment showed fewer symptom improvements.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalThe Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 18, 2024

An international sample of adolescents shows almost 17% experience weight-related bullying online, especially for social media users—with almost 70 percent of Twitter users reporting being bullied

A study found that almost 17% of adolescents experience weight-related bullying online, with the highest rates reported by Twitter users. The survey also revealed a strong association between screen time, social media use, and weight-related bullying, with a 13% increase in bullying for every additional hour of screen time.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateApr 17, 2024

Most patients treated by public psychiatric outpatient clinics are women aged 45 on average

A study analyzing 8,384 clinical appointments found that women aged 45 are the majority of patients treated at public psychiatric outpatient clinics in Brazil. The patients had sadness, anxiety, and irritability as primary symptoms, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors being commonly prescribed medications.

Study finds increased anxiety and PTSD among people who remained in Ukraine

A recent study published in PLOS Global Public Health found that individuals remaining in Ukraine during the ongoing war are more likely to experience anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than refugees. Exposure to blasts and loss of community, housing, and economic resources contribute to these mental health issues.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Global Public Health·TypeSurvey·DateApr 11, 2024

Weight training improves symptoms of anxiety and depression in old people, study confirms

A study published in Psychiatry Research confirms that weight training improves symptoms of anxiety and depression in old people. The analysis of over 200 articles identified the types of training most indicated for these cases, recommending exercises done three times a week with short sets and proper structure.

Feeling the music

A new study found that fluctuations in music chord predictions evoke specific bodily sensations, particularly in the heart and abdomen. Researchers also discovered a link between these sensations and feelings of pleasure, which could have applications for using music to improve well-being.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 4, 2024

Extending Medicaid coverage after birth may increase postpartum treatment for depression, anxiety

A new study found that extending Medicaid eligibility for birthing people increases treatment for perinatal mood and anxiety disorder by 20.5 percentage points, compared to those with commercial insurance. Retaining postpartum Medicaid coverage also significantly lowers patients' out-of-pocket spending for mental healthcare.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalHealth Affairs·TypeObservational study·DateApr 3, 2024

Las Vegas mass shooting survivors continue to struggle with major depression, PTSD

A new study by Boston University School of Public Health reveals that nearly half of Las Vegas concertgoers who survived the 2017 mass shooting experienced major depressive episodes within the past year. The study also found that over 63% of survivors reported post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms during the same time period.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateApr 2, 2024

Take caution when mirroring one’s actions or words - social psychologists with a warning to therapists

A recent study found that mimicking participants' actions or words increased feelings of guilt, contradicting the assumption that it fosters social bonding and reduces negative emotions. The researchers suggest that therapists carefully consider the potential benefits and drawbacks of using mimicry in therapy.

SourceThe Polish Association of Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological Bulletin·DateApr 1, 2024

Job flexibility and security promotes better mental health among employees

A new nationwide study found that workplace policies prioritizing job flexibility and security can lead to healthier work environments, reducing stress and improving overall well-being. Employed adults with greater job flexibility and higher job security were less likely to experience serious psychological distress or anxiety.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateMar 26, 2024

Johns Hopkins Children’s Center study shows negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on youth minority mental health

A recent Johns Hopkins Children's Center study reveals a significant negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth minority mental health. The research found increased rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among adolescents in racial and ethnic minorities, with Black females showing a 90.2% increase in suicidal thoughts.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAcademic Pediatrics·DateMar 26, 2024

Treating anxiety, depression significantly impacts heart disease outcomes

A new study from Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found that treating anxiety and depression significantly improves heart disease outcomes, with a 75% reduction in hospitalizations or emergency room visits. The study suggests a collaborative care model is essential for managing cardiovascular and mental health.

SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateMar 20, 2024

AI tools and parent support could be keys to unlock perfectionism

A new pilot study explores the effectiveness of an artificial intelligence-supplemented Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Perfectionism (CBT-P) intervention for young people with anxiety and depression. The research suggests that AI tools could provide strong guidance through a therapy program, while parent support is also crucial in hel...

SourceFlinders University·JournalInternet Interventions·TypeCase study·DateMar 18, 2024

Sleep apnea solution could be right under your nose

Researchers at Flinders University have discovered a bedtime nasal spray that can reduce the severity of sleep apnea in people and lower their blood pressure. The study found that the spray, which blocks potassium channels, improved oxygen levels and reduced markers of OSA severity in 7 out of 10 participants.

SourceFlinders University·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 15, 2024

Study tracks shifts in student mental health during college

A four-year study by Dartmouth researchers tracks changes in student mental health during college, identifying key populations and stressors. The study found that first-year and female students are at risk for high anxiety and low self-esteem, while sophomores experience increased social activity but higher stress levels.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalProceedings of the ACM on Interactive Mobile Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies·TypeObservational study·DateMar 13, 2024