Repeated intravenous ketamine infusions are no more effective than a placebo (midazolam) for reducing depressive symptoms in inpatients with moderate to severe depression. In a randomized clinical trial, there was no statistically significant difference between the ketamine and midazolam groups on the primary outcome of depression severity at the end of treatment. No significant differences were found on secondary measures of efficacy, cognition, economic outcomes, or quality of life. These results do not support a superior antidepressant effect for serial intravenous ketamine as an addition to usual inpatient care.
Meditation practices from the Inner Engineering program, which includes Shambhavi Mahudra Kriya (alternate nostril breathing, AUM chanting, breath awareness, and postural yoga) along with guided meditation and reflective writing, support emotional regulation, cognitive reappraisal, and positive affect. These benefits contribute to healthier interpersonal relationships by enhancing self-awareness, resilience, and empathy. The program is described as a non-religious, scalable intervention that may help manage emotional reactivity and strengthen relationships, thereby addressing relationship difficulties that are a major source of anxiety and social withdrawal.
A 3-week web-based yogic breathing and meditation program improved mood, breathing difficulty, and physical symptoms in people with long COVID. In a randomized trial with 68 participants, those who completed the program showed greater reductions in total mood disturbance, two dimensions of breathlessness, and somatic symptom burden compared to a waitlist control group, with small to medium effects. No meaningful differences were found for stress or quality of life. Qualitative feedback highlighted that meditation built resilience, online support networks were valuable, digital delivery had both benefits and challenges, and participants struggled with the medical system. The program appears feasible and accessible as a supportive intervention.