SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “self-rating anxiety scale(SAS)”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

850 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2026

[Exploring the mechanism underlying the efficacy differences of "Tiaojing Cuyun Acupuncture"for premature ovarian failure based on vaginal microbiota structure].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of "Tiaojing Cuyun Acupuncture" combined with hormone replacement therapy in the treatment of premature ovarian failure (POF), and to investigate differences in vaginal microbiota among patients with different therapeutic responses, thereby preliminarily exploring the mechanism underlying efficacy differences. METHODS: Ninety-eight patients with POF were randomly divided into an observation group (49 cases, 1 case was eliminated)and a control group (49 cases, 1 case dropped out). The control group was treated with hormone replacement therapy with Femoston, one tablet each time, once daily. On the basis of the control group, the observation group was additionally treated with "Tiaojing Cuyun Acupuncture". Acupoint group 1 included Baihui (GV20), Zhongwan (CV12), Guanyuan (CV4), and bilateral Tianshu (ST25), Zigong (EX-CA1), Dahe (KI12), Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Taichong (LR3). Acupoint group 2 included Baihui (GV20), bilateral Shenshu (BL23), Ciliao (BL32), and Taixi (KI3). The two acupoint groups were used alternately, beginning with acupoint group 1. Treatment was administered once every other day, three times per week.Both groups were treated for three menstrual cycles. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH),estradiol (E2), and anti-M ü llerian hormone (AMH) levels on days 3-5 of the menstrual cycle were measured before and after treatment in the two groups. Self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) scores were assessed before and after treatment, and clinical efficacy was evaluated in the two groups. Five effective patients (G0 subgroup) and five ineffective patients (G1 subgroup)were randomly selected from each group, and their vaginal microbiota structure was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing. RESULTS: After treatment, FSH levels in both groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05); SAS scores in both groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), and the observation group had lower SAS score than the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 77.1% (37/48) in the observation group, which was higher than 56.3% (27/48) in the control group (P<0.05). Vaginal microbiota analysis showed that at the phylum level, the relative abundance of Firmicutes in the G0 subgroup of the control group was higher than that in the G1 subgroup, while the relative abundances of Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria were lowed in the G0 subgroup. In contrast, the observation group exhibited an opposite trend: the G0 subgroup had lower Firmicutes abundance but higher abundances of Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria compared with the G1 subgroup. At the family and genus levels, Bifidobacterium was enriched in the G0 subgroups of both groups, whereas Lactobacillus predominated in the G1 subgroups. The G0 subgroup of the control group showed higher abundance of Gardnerella, while both Lactobacillus and Gardnerella were concurrently elevated in the G1 subgroup of the observation group. Additionally, in the observation group indicated that Clostridiales and Rikenellaceae were significantly more abundant in the G0 subgroup than in the G1 subgroup (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The "Tiaojing Cuyun Acupuncture" combined with hormone replacement therapy is superior to hormone replacement therapy alone in improving anxiety. There are differences in vaginal microbiota structure among patients with different theraputic efficacy, suggesting that the vaginal microecological environment may be involved in the mechanism of treatment response in POF.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Acupuncture improves depressive symptoms and prefrontal cortical function in mild to moderate depressive disorder: A randomized sham-controlled trial and fNIRS study.

BACKGROUND: Depressive disorder is a common mental illness associated with substantial functional impairment. Although pharmacotherapy is widely used, its effectiveness is often limited by adverse effects and poor adherence. Acupuncture has been increasingly applied as a complementary treatment for depression, and its neurobiological characteristics remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: This randomized, sham-controlled trial aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture for mild to moderate depressive disorder and to investigate its effects on prefrontal cortical function using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). METHODS: Patients with mild to moderate depressive disorder were randomly assigned to a real acupuncture (RA) group or a sham acupuncture (SA) group and received standardized treatment for 8 weeks. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36), and a traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score. A subset of participants underwent fNIRS assessment during resting-state and task-based conditions to evaluate prefrontal cortical activation and functional connectivity. RESULTS: Compared with baseline, the RA group showed significant reductions in SDS and SAS scores and significant improvements in SF-36 emotional domains, with effects emerging at Week 4 and persisting up to 12 weeks after treatment. Improvements were greater and more stable in the RA group than in the SA group. fNIRS analyses revealed enhanced activation in dorsolateral and medial prefrontal regions and strengthened prefrontal functional connectivity following acupuncture, whereas neural changes in the SA group were limited. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture is effective for improving depressive and anxiety symptoms and quality of life in patients with mild to moderate depressive disorder. Modulation of prefrontal cortical activation and connectivity may underlie its antidepressant effects.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Effectiveness of symptom map-based education in the management of premenstrual syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a symptom map-based educational intervention for the non-pharmacological management of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), with a focus on symptom reduction among women with differing baseline symptom severity. METHODS: This randomized controlled study was conducted between May and December 2024. A total of 110 women meeting diagnostic criteria for PMS were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 55) or a control group (n = 55) using block randomization, and 101 participants completed follow-up assessments. The intervention comprised structured education based on a PMS symptom map and evidence-based self-care strategies. Outcomes included PMS symptom severity (Premenstrual Syndrome Scale), pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale), psychological symptoms (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21), and PMS-specific life satisfaction. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT06585475. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, women in the intervention group reported significantly lower pain (adjusted mean 4.21 vs. 6.81, p < .001) and stress levels (8.54 vs. 12.03, p < .001) at follow-up. The intervention was particularly effective in reducing PMS symptom severity and depressive symptoms among participants with higher baseline symptom burden. Improvements in PMS-specific life satisfaction were observed, with reductions in depressive symptoms contributing to this effect. CONCLUSION: A symptom map-based educational intervention is a clinically applicable, non-pharmacological approach for PMS management. This structured education appears especially beneficial for women with more severe baseline symptoms and may be integrated into routine gynecological care to support individualized symptom management.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

The Effect of Slow Deep Breathing Relaxation Exercise on Pain and Anxiety Levels During and Post-Chest Tube Removal After CABG.

Chest tube removal after coronary artery bypass graft is frequently reported by patients as stressful and painful, highlighting the need for effective nonpharmacological interventions. Slow deep breathing relaxation exercises (SDBREs) may serve as a simple nursing strategy to reduce discomfort. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of SDBRE on pain and anxiety during and after chest tube removal following coronary artery bypass grafting in Nablus hospitals. An experimental design was used with 80 patients recruited from 2 hospitals. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 40) that practiced SDBRE or a control group (n = 40) that received standard care. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire, the Numeric Pain Scale, and the Visual Anxiety Scale. Data collection occurred from March to October 2024. The intervention group reported significantly lower pain scores during removal (M: 5.325 vs 7.125, P < .001) and after removal (P < .001). Anxiety scores were significantly lower both during and after removal (P < .001). Pain correlated with duration, with more complex operations and prolonged chest tube insertion linked to higher scores. SDBRE significantly reduced pain and anxiety during and after chest tube removal, supporting its integration into routine postoperative nursing care.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Music therapy in artificial insemination by husband: Effects on psychological distress and clinical pregnancy rate.

BACKGROUND: Infertility treatment can be psychologically burdensome. Evidence on music listening during artificial insemination by husband (AIH) remains limited. We evaluated whether a standardized periprocedural music intervention reduced psychological distress and explored its association with clinical pregnancy. METHODS: In this single-center, open-label randomized trial, 254 women undergoing AIH were allocated 1:1 to routine care or routine care plus two 30-minute music-listening sessions, immediately before and after AIH. The prespecified primary outcome was the continuous 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) score at follow-up; clinical pregnancy was secondary. DASS-21 was completed at baseline and at day 35 after AIH. Clinical pregnancy was assessed by ultrasonography at days 30 to 35. RESULTS: Continuous DASS-21 anxiety, depression, and stress scores did not differ between groups after adjustment for baseline scores (all P ≥ .868). Absolute postintervention differences were 0.01 point or less for anxiety and depression and 0.08 point for stress, indicating neither statistical nor clinically meaningful improvement. Clinical pregnancy occurred in 34/127 participants (26.77%) in the intervention group and 14/127 (11.02%) in the control group (exploratory secondary outcome; P = .001). CONCLUSION: The intervention did not improve the primary psychological outcome. The higher clinical pregnancy rate is hypothesis-generating because the trial was not powered for pregnancy, the proposed psychological mechanism was not demonstrated, and nonspecific attention and other unmeasured factors cannot be excluded. Replication using an attention-matched control, immediate state-anxiety and physiological measures, participant-preference assessment, and live-birth follow-up is required.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Effects of Esketamine on Postoperative Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale Scores in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Radical Resection for Colorectal Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of intravenous esketamine on postoperative Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection for colorectal cancer. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study, adult patients for elective laparoscopic radical resection were randomly assigned (1:1) to a control group (group C) or an esketamine group (group PE). Group C received conventional general anesthesia and patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA). In group PE, esketamine 0.5 mg/kg was injected during induction of anesthesia, with esketamine 1 mg/kg added to PCIA. Primary outcome was HADS score on postoperative day 1. Secondary outcomes included HADS scores on postoperative days 3 and 7, sleep quality scores, postoperative level of consciousness, complication rate, length of hospital stay, 24 h inflammatory factors, and satisfaction scores. RESULTS: Group PE showed significantly lower HADS-A and HADS-D scores on postoperative days 1 and 3 , reduced 24 h interleukin-6 (IL-6) leveland higher patient satisfaction compared with group C (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Esketamine given during induction and in PCIA reduced early-stage postoperative HADS scores and improved patient satisfaction in colorectal cancer patients.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Intervention Without Borders - an Automated Self-Guided AI-Enhanced Psychoeducation Intervention for Dementia Caregivers: Parallel-Group Randomized Waitlist-Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether a fully automated, self-guided intervention (PDC30) could improve caregiver well-being over a 1-month waitlist control in an international sample. DESIGN: Randomized waitlist-controlled trial. SETTING: Web-based platform accessible globally. PARTICIPANTS: 441 individuals responded to study promotion on the internet, of whom 274 from 43 countries met the study criteria and were randomized. Eligible participants were adults providing ≥10 care hours weekly to community-dwelling relatives with dementia, scoring ≥5 on Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and without recent caregiver intervention. INTERVENTION: Available 24/7, PDC30 is a self-guided, automated intervention consisting of a Guidebook, an AI-powered counseling chatbot, and interactive applications for cognitive-behavioral techniques, relaxation, and caregiver-recipient bonding. MEASUREMENTS: At baseline and follow-ups at 1, 2, and 3 months, depression was assessed by PHQ-9. Secondary outcomes were measured with validated brief versions of anxiety, burden, and positive gains. RESULTS: Intent-to-treat analysis using mixed-effects regression showed treatment x time2 effects on all outcomes except anxiety. At 1-month follow-up, coinciding with exclusive access to PDC30, intervention caregivers showed significant improvements in depression (d = -0.37), burden (d = -0.34), and positive gains (d = 0.42). The differences mostly disappeared after control participants received the intervention, while improvements in both groups were sustained thereafter. Participants reported using the website several times weekly, were generally satisfied with it, and found the chatbot most helpful. CONCLUSIONS: The effects on depression and other outcomes were consistent with those observed for in-person programs, suggesting the viability of well-designed automated intervention. The study demonstrates the feasibility, acceptability, and potential global health impact of PDC30.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Educational Effects of Electronic Documents and Videos on Parents' Responses to Acute Illness in Young Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

AIM: This study compared changes associated with electronic document-based and video-based education for parents responding to acute illness in young children, focusing on self-reported knowledge, anxiety, and satisfaction. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial with pre- and post-intervention measurements was conducted among 140 adults in Japan who self-reported raising a child under 3 years of age and having experienced their child's acute illness. Participants were assigned to an electronic document group or a video group (n = 70 each). Self-reported knowledge was assessed using a researcher-developed questionnaire, and anxiety was measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Pre-post changes and between-group differences in change scores were examined. RESULTS: Total self-reported knowledge scores increased significantly in both groups (p < 0.01), with no significant between-group difference. The video group showed significant improvements in items related to symptoms requiring attention at home and information sources, whereas the electronic document group improved in items related to symptoms requiring medical consultation and emergency calls. State and trait anxiety did not change significantly in either group. Satisfaction was high in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both educational formats may support parents' learning about responses to acute illness in young children, although appropriate formats may differ according to the educational content. Information provision alone may have limited effects on anxiety; therefore, future parent education should incorporate interactive and reassurance-focused approaches. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN-CTR: UMIN000056457.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Examining early-phase symptom trajectories in interpersonal psychotherapy versus antidepressant medication for adults with depression: A dynamic time warp network analysis.

BACKGROUND: Depression is characterized by substantial symptom heterogeneity, which is often concealed when examining total severity scores. Analyzing symptom-level change can improve our understanding of treatment effects and recovery processes. This study, therefore, examined dynamic symptom networks during early-phase interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant treatment, assessing patterns of symptom change across as well as differences between treatments. METHODS: Using weekly item-level Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) data from a randomized clinical trial comparing IPT and SSRIs for adults with depression, this preregistered study examined symptom trajectories in the first six weeks of treatment with Dynamic Time Warping (DTW). RESULTS: Depressive symptom trajectories and DTW-based symptom networks were largely similar for IPT and SSRI. In both conditions, changes in somatic symptoms of anxiety and middle insomnia tended to precede improvements in depressed mood. CONCLUSIONS: Early symptom change may occur outside the core affective domain, underscoring the importance of monitoring symptoms broadly. Symptom-level patterns may reflect patients' stage of recovery and provide clinically relevant information beyond total severity scores. The absence of differences in improvement patterns between IPT and SSRI suggest few indications for treatment selection based on baseline symptom profiles. Future research should replicate and extend these findings to subsequent treatment phases using more frequent assessments and a broader range of interventions.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Enhancing Hemoglobin Bart's hydrops fetalis syndrome prevention: a single-tube multiplex real-time PCR assay for the comprehensive detection of four significant α0-thalassemia deletions (--SEA, --THAI, --CR, and --SA) found in Thailand.

BACKGROUND: Hemoglobin (Hb) Bart's hydrops fetalis is a major public health concern in Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand. Current screening strategies target the two most common α0 -thalassemia deletions (--SEA and --THAI). METHOD: In this study, we developed a single-tube multiplex real-time PCR assay for the simultaneous detection of four clinically relevant α0-thalassemia deletions (--SEA, --THAI, --CR, and --SA). The assay was validated using 538 clinical samples with diverse thalassemia genotypes and compared against conventional gap-PCR as the reference method. Analytical performance, including sensitivity, specificity, and limit of detection (LOD), was evaluated. In addition, clinical utility was assessed in 22 prenatal diagnosis cases at risk of Hb Bart's hydrops fetalis. RESULTS: The study cohort demonstrated substantial genetic heterogeneity, comprising 43 distinct genotypes. The developed assay achieved 100% sensitivity and specificity for all targeted deletions, with complete concordance with gap-PCR results. No cross-reactivity was observed with α+-thalassemia. The assay demonstrated a high analytical sensitivity with a LOD of 9.76 × 10-3 ng per reaction. Whereas in prenatal diagnosis, all 22 fetal genotypes were accurately identified, including five cases of homozygous --SEA and one rare compound heterozygous --SEA/--CR fetus. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents a rapid, accurate, and cost-effective multiplex real-time PCR assay capable of detecting both common and rare α0-thalassemia deletions in a single reaction. The assay demonstrates strong potential for implementation in routine clinical laboratories and large-scale population screening, contributing to improved prevention and control of severe thalassemia syndromes in high-prevalence regions.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Anxiety and Sleep Quality in Patients with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with breast cancer commonly experience anxiety and sleep disturbance during and after treatment, and these symptoms are closely interrelated, negatively affecting the quality of life. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been increasingly used as a nonpharmacological supportive approach. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of MBIs on anxiety and sleep quality in patients with breast cancer. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and Embase was conducted up to May 15, 2025. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to estimate standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2.0, and the certainty of evidence was evaluated with Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation. RESULTS: Twenty-four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including 3,212 participants were analyzed. MBIs significantly reduced anxiety compared with control groups receiving usual care, no intervention, or wait-list conditions (SMD: -0.47, 95% CI: -0.62 to -0.32), whereas no significant effect was observed for sleep quality. Subgroup analysis indicated that intervention duration accounted for 55.5% of the heterogeneity in anxiety outcomes. All studies were rated as having some concerns regarding risk of bias, primarily due to self-reported outcomes and lack of blinding. Certainty of evidence was moderate for anxiety and low for sleep quality. DISCUSSION: MBIs appear to be effective in reducing anxiety among patients with breast cancer; however, no significant effect was observed for sleep quality. All included studies were rated as having some concerns regarding risk of bias, and the limited reporting of adverse events represents a limitation of the evidence. In addition, substantial heterogeneity in sleep quality outcomes and the limited number of included RCTs restrict exploration of heterogeneity sources and limit generalizability. Further high-quality well-designed RCTs are needed to strengthen and confirm the evidence.

Female↗

PubMed2026

Efficacy of a high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for craving reduction in adolescents with gaming disorder: a 4-week randomized control trial with 24-week follow-up.

BACKGROUND: With the widespread popularity of online gaming, gaming addiction has come under scrutiny. While there is ongoing research on the diagnosis and treatment of gaming disorder among adolescents, the clinical robustness and reliability of intervention strategies remain uncertain. METHODS: A 4-week, double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of noninvasive, high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in alleviating psychological craving in adolescents diagnosed with gaming disorder. Sham rTMS was administered to the control group using the tilted-coil method. Both groups of participants were treated with SSRI medications. A total of 80 adolescents with gaming disorder participated in this study, and 73 ultimately completed the 24-week follow-up. The primary outcome was the change in craving levels before and after the rTMS intervention, as assessed by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included changes in anxiety and depression levels before and after the intervention, as assessed by the HAMA and HAMD. RESULTS: We assessed levels of psychological craving, anxiety, and depression among adolescents with gaming disorder at baseline, after completing a 4-week intervention, and at a 24-week follow-up post-intervention. Our repeated-measures MANOVA results, adjusted for course variables, revealed a significant main effect of rTMS intervention on psychological craving levels in adolescents addicted to online games (F(11, 781) = 11.238, P < 0.001, partial η² = 0.142), as well as significant main effects on time (F(11, 781) = 6.809; P < 0.001, partial η² = 0.091) and group effects (F(1, 71) = 26.707, P < 0.001, partial η² = 0.282). In addition, repeated-measures ANOVA results showed significant time effects for anxiety (F(2, 142) = 20.747, P < 0.001, partial η² = 0.234) and depression levels (F(2, 142) = 22.277, P < 0.001, partial η² = 0.285) among adolescents with gaming disorder, with nonsignificant between-group effects and no intergroup interaction. In the active stimulation group, changes in psychological craving levels after 4 weeks of treatment were significantly and positively correlated with changes in anxiety levels after 4 weeks of treatment in adolescents addicted to online games (r = 0.335, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that high-frequency rTMS targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex may be a promising approach for reducing psychological craving in adolescents with gaming disorder. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR2500102979 in chictr.org.cn, registered on May 22, 2025.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Inulin, Containing Frutco-Oligosaccharides, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale Scores in College Students.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) inulin on anxiety symptoms in college students. Forty million adults in the United States suffer from anxiety. Previous studies have viewed gut microbiota and its potential link to anxiety in both humans and mice. However, no previous studies focused on the effect of FOS inulin on college students. Fourteen subjects received 4.9 g per day of FOS inulin as the treatment (TX) or no supplement as the control (CON) for 28 days. Both the TX and CON groups were given the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale (GAD-7) on days 1 and 28. Both groups were also given a 3-day food log at the beginning of the experiment and otherwise maintained their regular diet. Results showed a statistically significant decrease in median GAD-7 scores in both groups (P = .017, r = .637 and P = .042, r = .587 for the TX and CON groups, respectively). However, when comparing the GAD-7 scores between groups, no statistically significant results were found. FOS inulin supplementation did not alleviate anxiety symptoms in college students participating in this study.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2025

Social Responsiveness as a Mediator in Adapted Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Autistic Youth with Maladaptive and Interfering Anxiety.

Numerous adaptations to interventions have been included in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for autistic youth. This study examines the degree to which CBT adapted to the social needs of autistic youth confers significant benefit by promoting social responsiveness. A secondary analysis was conducted on a multisite randomized clinical trial (Wood et al. in JAMA Psychiatry 77:474-483, 2020) comparing adapted CBT with standard-of-practice CBT and treatment-as-usual (TA). Autistic youth (N = 167; aged 7-13) with maladaptive and interfering anxiety participated. The adapted CBT (BIACA) uses a modular format, with an emphasis on supplementing common CBT practice elements (reframing and graded exposure) with social skill supports. The primary outcome measure was the Pediatric Anxiety Rating Scale. Social responsiveness was assessed with the Social Responsiveness Scale, Second Edition. Participants' general mental health was assessed as a secondary outcome using the Brief Problem Checklist. Mediation was tested using the SPSS PROCESS macro. Analyses suggested that the effect of adapted CBT on anxiety was mediated by its effects on social responsiveness, with a statistically significant indirect effect. Youth randomly assigned to adapted CBT exhibited better overall mental health at posttreatment compared to those randomized to the other conditions, and this effect was also mediated by improved social responsiveness. CBT adapted to address some of the social needs of autistic youth may enhance mental health outcomes by supporting social responsiveness, perhaps increasing the ease and effectiveness with which some youth can navigate potentially stressful situations such as entering and participating in group activities.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Cardiovascular risks in psychiatric disorders and psychiatric risks in cardiovascular disorders: implications for prevention and clinical management - a large-scale umbrella review encompassing 76 meta-analyses.

OBJECTIVE: Psychiatric and cardiovascular disorders often co-occur, complicating their assessment and management. No umbrella review(UR) has summarized the meta-analytic evidence on the co-occurrence of psychiatric and cardiovascular disorders and assessed its credibility. METHODS: Meta-analytic systematic reviews of observational studies documenting the prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes associated with the co-occurrence of cardiovascular and psychiatric disorders, indexed from inception through March.16.2026, and meeting established diagnostic criteria, were included. Meta-analytic association and prevalence estimates were recalculated and graded based on established or adapted criteria. The AMSTAR-2 assessed the quality of the meta-analyses, while several subgroup analyses and meta-regressions aimed to explain the heterogeneity. RESULTS: We included 76 meta-analyses yielding 131 meta-analytic estimates. Based on pre-existing meta-analytic evidence, 22/24 prevalence estimates (91.7%) met moderate/strong credibility criteria. Strong credibility emerged for: orthostatic hypotension in Lewy body(58%;95%C.I. = 50-66%) and Alzheimer's dementias(28.0% = 95%C.I. = 17.0-40.0%); pericardial effusion in anorexia nervosa(25.0%;95%C.I. = 17.0-34.0%); in heart failure(HF): major depressive disorder(MDD)(41.9%;95%C.I. = 36.7-47.1%), mild cognitive impairment(MCI)(41.4%;95%C.I. = 38.3-45.6%), anxiety(32.0%;95%C.I. = 26.5-37.6%), MDD + anxiety(24.7%;95%C.I. = 17.9-34.3%), and dementia(19.8%;95%C.I. = 12.9-27.8%); in atrial fibrillation(AF): MCI(26.0%;95%C.I. = 21.0-30.0%), anxiety in patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation(PVI)(25.0%;95%C.I. = 12.0-46.0%), MDD in PVI patients (20.0%;95%C.I. = 13.0-29.0%); in coronary artery disease: MDD + anxiety(19.8%;95%C.I. = 16.0-24.6%): in schizophrenia spectrum disorders: clozapine-associated-cardiomyopathy(0.6%;95%C.I. = 0.2-2.3%); clozapine-associated-cardiomyopathy absolute death rates (0.0003;95%C.I. = 0.0001-0.0012); clozapine-associated-cardiomyopathy case fatality rate (0.078;95%C.I. = 0.018-0.285). Several additional disorders were multimorbid in>5% of people, yet with a lower credibility rating. No re-pooled risk factors/outcomes reached strong credibility criteria. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides an atlas of cardiovascular and psychiatric multimorbidity across varying levels of credibility, reinforcing the need for an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to patient care and for more research on actionable risk/protective factors and outcomes.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Effects of automated massage chair therapy on mental health and physical health: A comprehensive study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Automated massage chair therapy is a non-pharmacological intervention widely believed to enhance wellness, yet evidence regarding its effects remains limited. This 3-part study evaluated the effects of automated massage chair therapy on mental and physical health. METHODS: In Part 1, 20 moderately stressed students were randomized to receive a 20-minute automated massage chair therapy session followed by a 20-minute control session, or vice versa, with a 48-hour washout period. Blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), electroencephalogram (EEG), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were measured. In Part 2, 20 hypertensive hospital staff received three 20-minute automated massage chair therapy sessions on alternate days. BP, HR, and skin blood flow (SBF) were measured. In Part 3, 20 hospital staff with chronic low back pain received three 20-minute automated massage chair therapy sessions on alternate days. Electromyogram (EMG) and VAS were measured. RESULTS: Automated massage chair therapy significantly reduced diastolic blood pressure (DBP), HR, stress, and anxiety among moderately stressed students. In hospital staff with hypertension, SBF did not change significantly, whereas BP and HR decreased significantly after automated massage chair therapy. In hospital staff with chronic low back pain, low back function improved, and pain was significantly reduced after automated massage chair therapy. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that automated massage chair therapy may help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and alleviate low back pain.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Effects of low-dose esketamine on early quality of recovery following minimally invasive esophagectomy: a multicenter, randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) frequently experience moderate-to-severe postoperative pain and anxiety-depressive symptoms, compromising postoperative quality of recovery (QoR). Esketamine is a promising adjunct for analgesia and anxiolysis; however, the effect of low-dose esketamine on patient-centered recovery outcomes in MIE remains unclear. METHODS: In this double-blinded, multicenter randomized controlled trial, patients scheduled for elective McKeown esophagectomy were allocated to esketamine (0.25 mg/kg loading dose and 0.125 mg/kg/h continuous infusion during surgery) or placebo (equivalent volume and rate of saline). The primary outcome was the QoR-15 score on postoperative day (POD) 2. Secondary outcomes included QoR-15 scores on POD 1, 3, 7 and 30. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - Anxiety Subscale (HADS-A) and Depression Subscale (HADS-D) scores, numeric rating scale (NRS) pain scores, and the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) scores on POD 1 to 3, and safety evaluations. RESULTS: A total of 198 patients were analyzed (esketamine, n = 98; placebo, n = 100). Intraoperative esketamine significantly improved QoR-15 scores on POD 2 (116.9 ± 9.4 vs. 110.2 ± 9.8, p < 0.001) and POD 3 (123.6 ± 7.2 vs. 116.8 ± 8.4, p < 0.001) compared with placebo. HADS-A and HADS-D scores were lower in the esketamine group on POD 1 to 3 (all p < 0.001). Additionally, esketamine recipients reported significantly lower NRS scores at rest and during movement and BPI scores for pain severity and pain interference items (all p < 0.001). There were no significant between-group differences in safety outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative low-dose esketamine improved early, patient-reported recovery after MIE by enhancing analgesia and reducing postoperative anxiety and depression without increasing adverse events. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Register (identifier: ChiCTR2400088916).

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Stapled versus hand-sewn intestinal anastomosis in pediatric surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal anastomosis is a core procedure in pediatric gastrointestinal surgery, performed for conditions such as necrotizing enterocolitis, intestinal atresia, Hirschsprung's disease, and inflammatory bowel disease. Although stapled anastomosis (SA) may improve operative efficiency, its safety and effectiveness compared with hand-sewn anastomosis (HA) in children remain uncertain. This meta-analysis compared clinical outcomes of SA and HA in pediatric patients. METHODS: The study followed PRISMA guidelines and was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251177257). A systematic search of PubMed, Dimensions, and the Cochrane Library was conducted through June 2025. Studies including children under 7 years undergoing intestinal SA or HA were eligible. Two reviewers independently performed study selection, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessment using ROB 2 and ROBINS-I tools. Statistical analysis was conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software (v3) with a random-effects model. RESULTS: Eleven studies involving 903 patients met inclusion criteria, including two randomized controlled trials. Of these, 333 patients underwent SA and 570 underwent HA. SA was associated with significantly shorter operative time (mean difference [MD] = -19.26 min; 95% CI: -24.24 to -14.28; p < 0.001) and earlier initiation of oral feeding (MD = -2.32 days; 95% CI: -3.78 to -0.86; p = 0.002). No significant differences were found in anastomotic leakage, stricture formation, reoperation rate, or length of hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Stapled anastomosis appears as safe as hand-sewn techniques in pediatric intestinal surgery while offering shorter operative duration and faster postoperative feeding recovery. Selective use of stapled techniques is supported when anatomically feasible, though further multicenter randomized trials are needed.

Humans↗