Researchers at the University of Jyvaskyla, in Finland, studied the benefits of music therapy when added to standard care among working-age people with depression. Continue reading Accumulating evidence supports music therapy for depression
Category Archives: Anxiety (Panic)/Depression
CAM for major depressive therapy
The American Psychiatric Association’s Task Force on Complementary and Alternative Medicine reviewed the evidence and report their findings.
Here are their findings. Continue reading CAM for major depressive therapy
Benefits of aromatherapy in dental patients
Researchers at King’s College London, in the UK have published their findings with lavender. Continue reading Benefits of aromatherapy in dental patients
CAM (not St John’s wort) to treat depression
Researchers at Goulds Naturopathica, in Hobart TAS, Australia, reviewed the evidence. Continue reading CAM (not St John’s wort) to treat depression
Review: CAM for anxiety and related conditions
Researchers at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, in Greenville, North Carolina tell us, “The number of people with psychiatric disorders who use CAM is on the rise,… estimates of CAM use range from 8% to 57%.” Most of this is to treat anxiety and depression.
Is it worth the effort? Continue reading Review: CAM for anxiety and related conditions
Vitamins C, D, and mood disturbance in hospitalized patients
Low blood levels of vitamins C and D are prevalent in acutely hospitalized patients.
Researchers at McGill University, and Jewish General Hospital, in Montreal, Quebec, looked for a change in mood after raising blood levels of these vitamins. Continue reading Vitamins C, D, and mood disturbance in hospitalized patients
Multidimensional benefits of yoga for patients with fibromyalgia
Just once a week improved pain, fatigue, and depression, according to researchers at Oregon Health & Science University, in Portland. Continue reading Multidimensional benefits of yoga for patients with fibromyalgia
Tanorexic: Signs and symptoms of addiction to indoor tanning
Researchers at the University at Albany, State University of New York report the prevalence of addiction to indoor tanning among college students and its association with substance use and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Continue reading Tanorexic: Signs and symptoms of addiction to indoor tanning
Tai chi for depression in elderly patients taking Lexapro
Nearly two-thirds of elderly patients treated for depression fail to achieve symptomatic remission and functional recovery with first-line pharmacotherapy.
Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, studied whether a mind-body exercise, tai chi, added to escitalopram (Lexapro) might augment the treatment of geriatric depression. Continue reading Tai chi for depression in elderly patients taking Lexapro
Does exercise relieve the symptoms of depression?
Researchers at the University of Washington Department of Family Medicine, in Tacoma, provide a pity review. Continue reading Does exercise relieve the symptoms of depression?
So, just how good is exercise to treat depression?
It’s very good, according to researchers at the University of Washington Department of Family Medicine, in Tacoma.
Here’s what we know. Continue reading So, just how good is exercise to treat depression?
Effect of vegetarian diets on mood
Vegetarian diets exclude fish, the major dietary source of fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are critical regulators of brain cell structure and function.
Researchers at Arizona State University, in Mesa, examined associations between mood and polyunsaturated fatty acid intake in vegetarian and omnivorous diets. Continue reading Effect of vegetarian diets on mood
Review of music therapy for end-of-life care
This Cochrane review examined the effects of music therapy on end-of-life care. Continue reading Review of music therapy for end-of-life care
Effect of religion on depression and hopelessness
Researchers from Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania studied this association in depressed older adults in mental health settings. Continue reading Effect of religion on depression and hopelessness
Effects of retirement on chronic disease
An international group of researchers looked for changes in the risk of chronic diseases, depressive symptoms, and fatigue. Continue reading Effects of retirement on chronic disease
Massage-myofacial release therapy in fibromyalgia
Fascia is the soft tissue component of connective tissue that supports and protects muscles. Myofascial release is a soft tissue therapy used to treat pain and restricted motion.
Researchers at the University of Almería, in Spain, looked for improvement in pain, anxiety, quality of sleep, depression, and quality of life. Continue reading Massage-myofacial release therapy in fibromyalgia
Yoga: More than exercise
Yoga increases brain gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) activity, which is reduced in mood and anxiety disorders.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine studied whether the changes in mood, anxiety, and GABA levels are specific to yoga or simply the result of physical activity. Continue reading Yoga: More than exercise
Lavender vs lorazepam to treat anxiety
Lorazepam (Ativan) is a member of a group of drugs called benzodiazepines that are used to treat anxiety.
Researchers from Germany compared lorazepam to a lavender oil preparation called Silexan in patients with generalized anxiety disorder. Continue reading Lavender vs lorazepam to treat anxiety
Vitamin D and depression in people with cardiovascular disease
Depression is associated with cardiovascular disease.
Researchers at the Intermountain Medical Center, in Murray, Utah, looked for an association between vitamin D deficiency and depression in these patients. Continue reading Vitamin D and depression in people with cardiovascular disease
Does tai chi improve psychosocial well-being?
Researchers at Deakin University, in Australia reviewed the evidence. Continue reading Does tai chi improve psychosocial well-being?