Mind-body exercises such as yoga and mindfulness significantly reduce PTSD symptoms, depression, and anxiety in people with PTSD. A meta-analysis of 16 randomized controlled trials found a moderate effect on PTSD symptoms (standard mean difference = -0.41), depression (-0.35), and anxiety (-0.31). The most effective regimen for PTSD symptoms in patients under 45 was 60-150 minutes of mindfulness per session for 8-16 weeks. For depression, 150-180 minutes of yoga once weekly was effective. The optimal type, frequency, and duration for anxiety could not be determined due to limited trials. Mind-body exercises are recommended as an adjunct treatment, but more rigorous trials are needed.
A meta-analysis of 7 controlled trials involving 570 cancer patients found that mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) significantly reduced cancer-related fatigue compared to conventional care, with a combined effect size of -1.15 (95% CI [-1.56, -0.74]). Heterogeneity was high (I²=79%, p<0.001). The analysis noted slight publication bias and moderate study quality, with insufficient reporting of allocation concealment and blinding. The authors conclude that MBSR shows promise for alleviating fatigue but call for larger, more rigorous trials to confirm long-term effects and explore neurobiological mechanisms.
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) alleviates anxiety and depression in adolescents and alters their metabolic profiles. In a comparison of 35 adolescents with depression receiving MBCT, 35 receiving conventional treatment, and 30 healthy controls, MBCT significantly improved symptom scores. Metabolomic analysis identified 203 upregulated and 186 downregulated metabolites in the MBCT group. Notably, arachidonic acid levels decreased and were linked to clinical improvement, suggesting involvement in the long-term depression pathway. A combination of five metabolites showed strong potential for predicting MBCT efficacy.
A new Chinese Spiritual Coping Scale was developed and tested in two samples (415 and 207 participants) with and without religious beliefs. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a four-factor structure comprising 17 items across the dimensions of Mystical Experience, Moral Practice, Meaning Exploration, and Transcendent Attitude. The scale demonstrated adequate internal consistency and construct validity, suggesting it may be a promising measure of spiritual coping for Chinese individuals.