Researchers at the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver, compared acupuncture to nurse-led supportive care in patients with incurable cancer. Continue reading Is there benefit from acupuncture in palliative care?
Category Archives: Anxiety (Panic)/Depression
Review: EPA to treat depression
Researchers at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, in New York City, used a meta-analysis to test the hypothesis that eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is the effective component in omega-3 fatty acid treatment of major depressive episodes. Continue reading Review: EPA to treat depression
CAM options for treating depression
Emily Matthews, a reader of this blog, provides this overview of depression and complementary treatment options.
About 20 million Americans suffer from clinical depression. Low levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter, are thought to contribute to depression. Depression is also associated with diseases like diabetes, heart disease, chronic pain, hormonal imbalance, hypoglycemia, stress, impaired thyroid function, environmental toxins, and unhealthy lifestyles. Continue reading CAM options for treating depression
Reviewing the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid on depression
Researchers at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, in New York City, reviewed the evidence for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) to treat major depressive episodes. Continue reading Reviewing the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid on depression
Religion and major depression in adults
Researchers at Columbia University, in New York, previously reported that the personal importance of religion or spirituality was associated with a lower risk for major depression.
Now, they report the importance of religion among the offspring of the participants in that earlier study. Continue reading Religion and major depression in adults
Coffee, caffeine, and the risk of depression
The relationship between coffee or caffeine consumption and depression is not well defined.
Researchers in Boston and New York report a connection. Continue reading Coffee, caffeine, and the risk of depression
Benefits of music therapy for cancer patients
Having cancer may result in emotional, physical, and social suffering. Music interventions have been used to alleviate symptoms and treatment side effects in cancer patients.
The authors of this Cochrane review report the response to music among cancer patients. Continue reading Benefits of music therapy for cancer patients
Sumarizing the mental health implications of music therapy
Researchers at Kaohsiung Medical University, in Taiwan reviewed the evidence related to music’s effect on people with different mental illnesses. Continue reading Sumarizing the mental health implications of music therapy
Spiritual retreat for depression in patients with heart disease
Researchers in the US compared the effects of a nondenominational spiritual retreat on depression and well-being following acute coronary syndrome — chest pain and other symptoms when the heart doesn’t get enough blood. Continue reading Spiritual retreat for depression in patients with heart disease
Adding tai chi improves antidepressant drug therapy
During the New Clinical Drug Evaluation Unit Meeting, researchers at David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, reported that adding tai chi to escitalopram (Lexapro, Cipralex, Seroplex) treatment further reduced the severity of depression. Continue reading Adding tai chi improves antidepressant drug therapy
Benefits of massage to treat burn patients
Thermal injury can cause severe physical and psychologic trauma. And, these patients commonly have severe itching and pain.
Researchers at Atatürk University, in Erzurum, Turkey, examined the effects of massage therapy on burned adolescents with pain, itching, and anxiety. Continue reading Benefits of massage to treat burn patients
Acupuncture not better than “placebo” for major depression
Major depressive disorder (aka clinical, major, and unipolar depression, or unipolar disorder) is a mental disorder characterized by an all-encompassing low mood with low self-esteem, and loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities.
Researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, in Toronto, Ontario studied the response to a 2-point electroacupuncture protocol (verum acupuncture). Continue reading Acupuncture not better than “placebo” for major depression
Hydrotherapy promotes relaxation and less anxiety and pain in labor
Researchers at East Carolina University, in Greenville, North Carolina, studied the response to hydrotherapy (immersion or bathing) in women in spontaneous labor. Continue reading Hydrotherapy promotes relaxation and less anxiety and pain in labor
Drinking green tea and the risk of depression
Green tea reportedly has various beneficial effects (eg, anti–stress and anti-inflammatory).
Japanese researchers conducted the first study designed to assess the relationship between green tea and depressive symptoms in a community population. Continue reading Drinking green tea and the risk of depression
Omega-3 to treat major depression
This may be the largest study of its kind, according to the authors.
Researchers at the Université de Montréal, in Quebec, studied the short-term effect of omega-3 supplementation in reducing depressive symptoms in patients experiencing a major depressive episode. Continue reading Omega-3 to treat major depression
The value of nutritional supplements in older adults
We commonly take them, but studies show mixed results regarding their health benefits, according to researchers at Duke University Medical Center, in Durham, North Carolina. Continue reading The value of nutritional supplements in older adults
Biofield Therapies: Helpful or Full of Hype?
Researchers from the UCLA Division of Cancer Prevention and Control Research, Los Angeles, California think Reiki, therapeutic touch, and healing touch warrant further research. Continue reading Biofield Therapies: Helpful or Full of Hype?
Here’s what we know about vitamin D
Many studies suggest that we may need more vitamin D than presently recommended to prevent chronic disease.
Dr. Christine Gonzalez reviewed the evidence for disease prevention. Let’s focus on what’s known and what requires more evidence. Continue reading Here’s what we know about vitamin D
Limits of the benefits of exercise on depression
Researchers at Bispebjerg University Hospital, in Denmark, looked for long-term benefits of exercise in adults with clinical depression. Continue reading Limits of the benefits of exercise on depression
Omega-3 and -6 and the risk for depression
The associations between different sources of dietary omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and the risk of depression have not been prospectively studied.
So, researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, in Boston, examined these associations. Continue reading Omega-3 and -6 and the risk for depression