hit counter

Teen THC Increased Anxiety-Like Behavior in Adult Rats

A 2026 rat study found that 21 days of late-adolescent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) exposure produced adult anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze and weaker novel object recognition than vehicle exposure. The controlled animal result gives a biologically anchored model for why repeated high-THC exposure during development remains a real concern.1 Research Highlights Late-adolescent THC exposure …

Read more

Digital Mindfulness for GAD: Machine Learning Predicted App Engagement

MHD featured image for digital mindfulness engagement prediction in generalized anxiety disorder.

A 2026 machine-learning analysis of 110 adults with generalized anxiety disorder predicted 2-week digital mindfulness engagement with R2 = 82.1% in a top-10 predictor model, and the model favored mindfulness prompts over self-monitoring prompts for engagement (d = 1.447, p < .001).1 The calibrated read is that engagement with brief app-based mindfulness may be matchable, …

Read more

Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Reduced Healthcare-Worker Anxiety in 68-Person Trial

MHD featured image for yoga, Bhagavad Gita teaching, and healthcare-worker anxiety.

A 68-person randomized trial in Indian healthcare workers found a narrow but useful pattern: combined yoga plus Bhagavad Gita teaching beat usual care immediately on GAD-7 anxiety scores (p = 0.009), while Gita teaching alone beat usual care at 45 days (p = 0.047).1 Yoga alone improved within its own arm, but it did not …

Read more

Facial Palsy Telerehabilitation Reduced Anxiety in 16-Patient Pilot

MHD featured image for facial palsy telerehabilitation and anxiety reduction.

A 16-patient pilot study after facial reanimation surgery found that online emotional training and in-person emotional training both reduced anxiety and improved facial movement; FDI physical function changed by 21.25 points in the in-person group vs. 7.5 points in the online group.1 Research Highlights Small pilot, real recovery signal: Guidetti et al. followed 16 adults …

Read more

Open ICU Visiting Reduced Delirium and Anxiety in Chronic Critical Patients

MHD featured image for open ICU visiting, delirium, anxiety, and chronic critical illness.

A 2026 retrospective ICU study found that 24-hour family visiting was associated with lower delirium in chronic critical patients than 1-hour restricted visiting: 11.36% vs. 25.76%.1 The same open-visiting group also had lower discharge HADS anxiety-depression scores, shorter ventilation, and no measurable worsening in sampled ICU air quality, but the time-based single-center design keeps the …

Read more

5 Music Therapy Sessions Reduced Psychiatric Stress

MHD featured image for music therapy frequency and psychiatric inpatient stress.

A 2026 randomized trial of 74 psychiatric inpatients found that 5 consecutive MIDI-assisted group music therapy sessions reduced DASS-21 stress more than 1 session during the same hospital week, but the frequency advantage did not extend to anxiety, depression, life satisfaction, or immediate session-impact ratings. Research Highlights Stress separated by frequency: 5 sessions produced a …

Read more

AI Chatbot for Pregnancy Anxiety: 300-Woman Study Shows Large Score Drop

MHD featured image for AI chatbot use in high-risk pregnancy anxiety.

A 300-woman high-risk pregnancy study reported a striking before-after change after 4 weeks of daily Replika chatbot use: Pregnancy Anxiety and Stress Rating Scale scores fell from 54.05 to 10.15, p < 0.001.1 The result is a real signal for digital maternal support, but the no-control design makes it weak evidence that the chatbot itself …

Read more