In March 2020, when the world was struck by the news of the COVID-19 pandemic, Erinn Baldeschwiler received her own gut punch. She was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic breast cancer and was given about 2 years to live. Then 48, the mother of two teenagers had just started a new chapter in her life. … Read more
Following five key Buddhist teachings may help protect against depression, new research shows. A study from Thailand showed that among people who observed what are known as the Five Precepts of Buddhism ― not to kill, steal, engage in sexual misconduct, tell ill-intentioned lies, or use intoxicants ― rates of depressive symptoms were significantly lower … Read more
And that wasn’t all. The people in the study also improved their thinking skills in areas that weren’t targeted: sustained attention and working memory. It was the first evidence of the potential for therapeutic video games to target and enhance those abilities. But it wouldn’t be the last. Which brings us back to kids with … Read more
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is as effective at reducing anxiety as the antidepressant escitalopram, a first-line pharmaceutical treatment, new research shows. “I would encourage clinicians to list meditation training as one possible treatment option for patients who are diagnosed with anxiety disorders. “Doctors should feel comfortable recommending in-person, group-based meditation classes,” study investigator Elizabeth A. … Read more
I watched you in the garage, with your wipes and your mask, your gloves and bottles of sprays and potions. I admired your fealty to CNN’s Dr Sanjay Gupta as he demonstrated the proper technique for disinfecting groceries. I watched sterile protocol being broken and quietly closed the garage door. Dr Alison Hero I listened … Read more
Acupuncture is an effective treatment for anxiety in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), results of a randomized controlled trial show. Both sham and real acupuncture eased PD-related anxiety at the end of 8-week treatment, but only real acupuncture had an enduring effect at 2 months after treatment ended. The early effect with sham acupuncture in … Read more
Both yoga and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) provide meaningful improvements in worry, anxiety, and insomnia in older adults that last even 6 months after discontinuing treatment, new research suggests. The study is the first to compare the long-term effects from the two interventions; And the results offer clinicians and patients two effective choices for researchers … Read more
New research provides novel insight into how mindfulness alters pain-related activity in the brain, in findings that point to more targeted pain management. In a randomized trial, more than 100 healthy individuals were assigned to an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program, a health improvement program (HEP) of the same length, or a waiting list. … Read more
Cannabis potency has increased worldwide in recent decades and is linked with more people becoming addicted to marijuana, according to a new study published in Lancet Psychiatry. People who use higher concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, are more likely to have addiction and mental health problems, the study authors found. For research, scientists have established … Read more
Electroacupuncture (EA) may significantly improve sleep quality in patients with depression who also have insomnia, new research suggests. In a study of more than 200 adults with depression and comorbid insomnia, change from baseline to week 8 on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was 3 points greater in the group receiving EA vs a … Read more