Journal of Affective Disorders
November 1, 2026
Carlton M Kelly, Mathieu Fradet, Catherine Bostian et al.
A single 25-mg dose of psilocybin with psychological support was associated with sustained improvements in anxiety, quality of life, functioning, and PTSD symptoms in 15 veterans with treatment-resistant depression. Anxiety scores dropped 59% from baseline at three weeks and remained lower through 12 months. Quality of life increased 24% and functional impairment decreased 46% at three weeks, though these effects were no longer statistically significant after accounting for concurrent improvements in depression. PTSD symptom reductions were observed at all timepoints. Acute subjective experiences did not correlate with treatment response. The study is limited by its small sample and open-label design.
Journal of behavior therapy and experimental psychiatry
September 1, 2026
Jieping Ding, Zafar Mehnaz Ali, Ateya Megahed Ibrahim et al.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) may reduce depressive symptoms in adults aged 60 years and older compared with control conditions. A meta-analysis of three randomized controlled trials involving 178 participants found that MBCT was associated with significantly lower depressive symptom severity (pooled effect size Hedges g = -0.92, 95% confidence interval -1.30 to -0.55, with no heterogeneity). Evidence for anxiety and quality-of-life outcomes was limited and could not be pooled, and no trials reported relapse or recurrence. The authors note the evidence base remains small and heterogeneous, calling for larger, methodologically rigorous trials with standardized outcomes and longer follow-up.
Brain Research Bulletin
August 1, 2026
Rui Dong, Jiaxin Liu, Yumei Shen et al.
In a mouse model of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) that also shows anxiety-like behavior, esketamine (ES) given for five days dose-dependently reduced pain and anxiety. TN caused damage to neurons in the hippocampus and increased levels of the necroptosis pathway proteins RIPK1, RIPK3, and MLKL. ES treatment reversed these changes, protecting neurons and restoring dendritic spines. Adding a necroptosis activator blocked ES's effects, confirming that ES works by inhibiting the RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL pathway. The findings highlight necroptosis as a key mechanism linking TN pain to emotional disorders and suggest ES could be repurposed as a treatment for both pain and anxiety in TN.
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
July 19, 2026
Gönültaş Gökben
Yoga, meditation, and breathing techniques may reduce stress, anxiety, and psychological distress while improving emotional regulation and psychological resilience. A systematic review of studies from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, TR Dizin, and DergiPark, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, found evidence that these mind–body practices work through interoceptive awareness, autonomic nervous system regulation, vagal activation, and neuroplasticity. Based on the findings, the authors propose an Integrated Neurosomatic Mental Health Model that links neurosomatic awareness, interoception, autonomic regulation, neurocognitive restructuring, emotional regulation, resilience, and well-being. The model suggests interconnected neurobiological, psychological, and physiological pathways for how these practices affect mental health.
Genius Journal
July 15, 2026
Anisa Fitri, Sujiah Sujiah, Miranti Dea Dora
Mindfulness therapy significantly reduced anxiety among older adults in a residential care home. In a study of 38 residents with anxiety, the mean anxiety score dropped from 21.05 before the intervention to 16.39 afterward, a statistically significant reduction. The therapy offers a non-pharmacological option for managing anxiety in this population, who often face loneliness, fear of death, and feelings of abandonment after relocation.
Brain Sciences
July 15, 2026
Anastasia V. Kotelnikova, Vera M. Ruzinova, Maria G. Kiseleva et al.
Adding biofeedback to anxiety disorder treatment reduces anxiety and improves mindfulness more than medication alone. Inpatients with anxiety disorders were randomly assigned to biofeedback for enhancing mindfulness, medication therapy (escitalopram 10 mg/day), or combined therapy. After 10 days of treatment and at one-month follow-up, the biofeedback and combined groups showed significantly greater reductions in anxiety (measured by the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale) and increases in mindfulness (measured by the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire) compared to the medication-only group, which showed a decrease in mindfulness. The biofeedback and combined groups did not differ significantly from each other. These findings suggest biofeedback may be a promising component of comprehensive anxiety therapy.
Frontiers in Psychology
July 13, 2026
Wen-Ming Liang, Inga Griškova-bulanova, Jing Xiao et al.
Combining Liuzijue breathing, a traditional Chinese practice of controlled abdominal movements and low-pitched vocalization, with mindful breathing produced more sustained relaxation in anxious male university students than mindful breathing alone. In a randomized crossover trial of 24 male participants aged 21 ± 2 with anxiety symptoms, the combination sequence (5 minutes Liuzijue breathing followed by 10 minutes mindful breathing) led to greater continued reductions in heart rate and greater progressive increases in heart rate variability compared to 15 minutes of mindful breathing alone. Participants also reported significantly higher concentration during mindful breathing after Liuzijue breathing. During Liuzijue breathing, respiration rate was lower and peripheral oxygen saturation was higher, with end-tidal carbon dioxide lower during minutes 2–5. These physiological changes may explain the enhanced relaxation.
International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research
July 11, 2026
Pushpendra Yaduvanshi, Barkha Sahu, Tanay Bhardwaj
An 8-week structured meditation program involving guided sessions of 30–45 minutes produced clinically meaningful improvements in perceived stress and sleep quality among 58 community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years or older with mild-to-moderate stress, anxiety, or sleep disturbance. Both meditation protocols led to very large reductions in perceived stress (44–47%) and sleep disturbance (40–47%), with no significant difference between the two protocols for these outcomes. Only one of the two protocols significantly reduced anxiety (by 46.5%), while the other's anxiety reduction was not statistically significant. The findings suggest that meditation strategies should be selected according to the predominant symptom profile, particularly when anxiety is a primary concern.
July 10, 2026
Lohani Noor
Sexual anxiety, whether from trauma, performance shame, or arousal dysregulation, hinders intimacy, pleasure, and connection. Breathwork, as a foundational somatic practice, provides an accessible method to regulate the autonomic nervous system, reduce anxiety, and anchor present-moment awareness—core elements for healthy sexual engagement. In psychosexual therapy, structured breathing fosters embodiment, somatic safety, and trust, helping clients reconnect with sensation and desire.
World Journal of Psychiatry
July 8, 2026
Yu-Peng Liu, Chen-Chen Shen, Jing Li et al.
In patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis, an 8-week mindfulness-based cognitive therapy program was associated with greater improvements in anxiety, sleep quality, depressive symptoms, and quality of life compared with routine psychological support. At both treatment end and 3-month follow-up, the mindfulness group showed significantly reduced anxiety symptoms, lower new-onset anxiety, and better sleep quality, including improved sleep onset latency, total sleep time, fewer sleep disorders, and less daytime dysfunction. Depressive symptoms and both mental and physical quality of life also improved more with mindfulness-based cognitive therapy than with routine support.