Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
March 21, 2023
Laura C Sánchez-sánchez, Clemente Franco, Alberto Amutio et al.
35 citations
A 10-week mindfulness programme (Flow Meditation) reduced impulsivity, improved mood, and lowered pre-competition anxiety in athletes. Compared to a wait-list control group, the intervention group showed large to very large reductions in cognitive, motor, and unplanned impulsivity, as well as in tension, depression, anger, somatic anxiety, and cognitive anxiety. Mindfulness appears to help athletes cope with high sport pressure and manage competition-related stress.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
January 29, 2024
Valerio Ricci, Domenico De Berardis, Giuseppe Maina
16 citations
Third-generation antipsychotics (aripiprazole, cariprazine, brexpiprazole, and lurasidone) show promise for treating substance-induced psychosis, a condition triggered by substance misuse or withdrawal that features prominent hallucinations, delusions, mood disturbances, and cognitive issues. Substances such as cannabinoids, cocaine, amphetamines, and LSD are especially likely to induce psychosis. The review describes each drug's unique pharmacological properties and neurotransmitter interactions, suggesting they may address both psychotic symptoms and substance misuse. The authors call for more research on long-term effects and advocate combining medication with psychological treatments, emphasizing the complexity of managing substance-induced psychosis.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
February 13, 2021
Zuzanna Rucińska, Thomas Fondelli, Shaun Gallagher
11 citations
Imagination and metaphor understanding in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are often seen as deficits within a standard linguistic framework. This paper argues instead for an embodied and enactive account, which views imagination and metaphor as grounded in bodily interaction and lived experience. A case study from a systemic therapeutic session with a child with ASD illustrates how metaphors emerge through embodied engagement. The authors conclude that this perspective reveals previously overlooked imaginative strengths in children with ASD and suggests interactive interventions—such as those involving physical movement and shared activities—to support metaphor comprehension and imaginative skills.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
November 20, 2024
Sarfaraz K Niazi
8 citations
The placebo effect can produce genuine physiological and neurological changes even when no active treatment is given, driven by the recipient's perceptions. Brain regions involved include the rostral anterior cingulate cortex, pontine nucleus, and cerebellum. Understanding these mechanisms sheds light on how psychedelics, SSRIs, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and deep brain stimulation modulate neurotransmitters. This knowledge may aid in developing new therapies and challenges the validity of randomized controlled trials as currently valued by regulatory agencies. Additionally, exploring how placebo effects incorporate social, political, and religious beliefs could help reduce global conflicts.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
July 3, 2023
Justin DeMaranville, Tinakon Wongpakaran, Nahathai Wongpakaran et al.
6 citations
Among Thai boarding-school adolescents, insecure attachment—both anxious and avoidant—is linked to higher depressive symptoms indirectly through lower meditation practice and weaker adherence to Buddhist precepts (abstaining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxicants). In a sample of 453 students aged about 16, mostly female and Buddhist, those with greater attachment anxiety or avoidance reported less regular meditation and precept adherence, which in turn was associated with more depressive symptoms. Meditation practice contributed more strongly than precept adherence to this indirect pathway. The findings suggest that Buddhist practices may help explain how attachment insecurity relates to depression in this population.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
May 30, 2024
Marc Dörner, Roland Von Känel, Noelle König et al.
5 citations
Higher dispositional mindfulness is associated with lower levels of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Among 422 ICD patients, those with higher mindfulness scores had significantly reduced odds of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Mindfulness also partially mediated the relationship between psychological distress and quality of life, suggesting that greater mindfulness may improve quality of life by lessening the impact of anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
November 8, 2023
Anna Wilson, Clare Mckeaveney, Claire Carswell et al.
5 citations
A qualitative study explored the experiences of people with advanced kidney disease who participated in the Compassionate Mindful Resilience (CMR) programme. Nineteen participants (stage 4 or 5 kidney disease or transplant recipients) took part in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis yielded three themes: experiences of the CMR programme that facilitated subjective benefit, participants' lived and shared experiences, and practicalities of participation. All participants reported the programme as beneficial. The CMR programme proved an acceptable intervention, providing tools that support mental health and wellbeing for this patient group.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
May 21, 2025
Chao Liu, Li-Jen Lin, Kang-Jie Zhang et al.
4 citations
An 8-week video-guided mindfulness meditation program, delivered via short video apps, significantly reduced communication anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms, anger management difficulties, and mood disorders among police officers. In a randomized controlled trial with 92 full-time officers in China, those who completed daily 10-15 minute sessions showed greater improvements on validated measures compared to a control group. The findings suggest that digital mindfulness interventions can be an accessible tool for supporting mental well-being in law enforcement personnel.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
September 19, 2024
Tamara Gutiérrez-domingo, Naima Z Farhane-Medina, Joaquín Villaécija et al.
4 citations
Mindfulness-based psychological interventions may improve psychological well-being (anxiety, diabetes distress, perceived stress, depression, self-efficacy, quality of life) and biomedical outcomes (glycaemic control, blood glucose levels, diastolic blood pressure) in young people with type 1 diabetes. A systematic review of nine studies, most of moderate or optimal methodological quality, found small sample sizes and only two with short-term follow-up. The evidence is promising but limited, and further research with better methodology and design is needed.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
April 15, 2025
Filipa Ćavar, Josipa Mihić, Goran Milas
3 citations
Adolescents with higher stable levels of mindfulness tend to report fewer depressive symptoms over time. In a three-wave study of 1,618 secondary school students, mindfulness and depression shared a substantial proportion of variance at the stable trait level. Even temporary increases in mindfulness beyond an individual's typical level were linked to reductions in subsequent depressive symptoms. The findings suggest that cultivating mindfulness may help protect against depression during adolescence.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
December 27, 2025
Konstantinos Georgiadis, Giorgos Tzigkounakis, Katerina Simati et al.
2 citations
Yoga interventions in correctional settings are feasible and acceptable for incarcerated individuals, who face high rates of trauma and psychological distress. A systematic review of ten studies involving 1,815 participants found that yoga—including Hatha-based protocols, Krimyoga, and trauma-informed approaches—was associated with reduced psychological distress, negative affect, anger, and trauma-related symptoms, as well as improved mood, self-regulation, and mindfulness. Evidence specific to women and girls suggested potential reductions in post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety, alongside increases in self-compassion. One large quasi-experimental cohort found lower reincarceration rates among yoga participants. However, small samples, heterogeneous intervention formats, short follow-up, and variable outcome measures prevent firm conclusions.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
June 9, 2025
María Dolores Vázquez-Lara, Azahara Ruger-Navarrete, Samia Mohamed-Abdel-Lah et al.
2 citations
Mindfulness meditation programs during pregnancy effectively reduce maternal stress, anxiety, and depression. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 experimental studies found that mindfulness interventions lasting 6 to 8 weeks produced a standardized mean difference of -0.73 for anxiety, -0.67 for depression, and -0.74 for stress, indicating moderate-to-large reductions in these negative symptoms. The findings suggest that incorporating mindfulness programs into prenatal care is a useful approach, though resource availability and the comparative effectiveness of in-person versus online delivery require further investigation.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
May 20, 2025
Matea Gerbeza, Kelsy Dąbek, Katelyn Lockinger et al.
2 citations
Dispositional mindfulness facets relate differently to mental health literacy and treatment-seeking attitudes. Describe and Non-Reactivity predicted mental health literacy, while Act with Awareness uniquely predicted treatment-seeking attitudes. Non-Reactivity amplified the link between mental health literacy and treatment-seeking attitudes. General self-efficacy fully mediated the relationships of Observe and Non-Judgment with treatment-seeking attitudes. The findings suggest that cultivating specific mindfulness skills—particularly Non-Reactivity, Describe, and Act with Awareness—may help translate mental health knowledge into actual help-seeking behavior.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
March 14, 2025
Laura C Sánchez-sánchez, Amanda Klysing, Ingela Steij Stålbrand et al.
2 citations
A Spanish version of the Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ) showed good reliability and validity in a sample of 281 Spanish adults. The scale had a Cronbach's alpha of 0.82, indicating good internal consistency. Positive correlations with body appreciation and self-compassion, and no correlation with sexual satisfaction, supported convergent and discriminant validity. The Spanish BAQ also distinguished between meditators and non-meditators, supporting its conceptual validity. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a two-factor structure rather than the one- or four-factor models of the original English version. The scale is suitable for further study in clinical and non-clinical Spanish populations.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
March 7, 2025
2 citations
A modified mindfulness training program, adapted to incorporate Islamic teachings, significantly reduced antenatal depression and perceived stress among expectant mothers with a male child preference in Karachi, Pakistan. In a feasibility trial, depression scores dropped by an average of 4 points from before to after the program, with a further small decline at follow-up. Perceived stress scores fell by an average of 10.2 points from before to after the program, with a minor additional decline at follow-up. Five major themes from qualitative interviews supported the program's cultural suitability and contextual relevance.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
January 4, 2026
Milena Consorte, Elena Morotti, Fabio Nanni et al.
1 citation
A scoping review of 55 studies on mindfulness-based interventions for nursing students found that these practices can improve psychological well-being by reducing stress and anxiety while increasing self-efficacy and empathy. The interventions varied widely in content and timing, and online delivery has become more common since the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors suggest that future systematic reviews and feasibility studies are needed to identify the most effective programs and to integrate structured mindfulness training into nursing curricula.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
October 27, 2025
Alessandro Gonçalves Campolina, Marco Aurélio Tuena De Oliveira
1 citation
Patients in palliative care often suffer from existential distress, loss of meaning, and emotional pain beyond physical symptoms. Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) has emerged as a promising intervention for this complex suffering, but models tailored to palliative populations are scarce. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on ketamine's neurobiological, psychological, and experiential effects relevant to end-of-life care and presents a novel, time-limited KAP model. The model includes preparatory and integrative psychotherapy, two ketamine dosing sessions (one low-dose and one moderate-dose), concurrent psychotherapy, goals of care discussion, and optional pharmacological optimization. It leverages ketamine's effects on self-processing networks to address both bodily and narrative dimensions of distress, offering a compassionate, pragmatic approach to enhancing meaning, emotional resolution, and quality of life at the end of life.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
October 23, 2025
Eve E Keighley, Eid Abo Hamza, Dalia A Bedewy et al.
1 citation
A meta-analysis of 30 studies found that psychedelic drugs—LSD, psilocybin, ketamine, and ibogaine—are effective treatments for substance use disorder. Ibogaine showed the most prominent effects. There was no significant difference in effectiveness between psychedelic treatment combined with psychotherapy and psychedelic treatment alone.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
January 24, 2024
Abbas Al Mutair, Zainab Ambani, Alexander Woodman et al.
1 citation
A pregnant woman who contracted MERS-CoV and experienced severe complications reported a near-death experience (NDE) that included out-of-body, transcendental, and combined elements, confirmed by a Greyson NDE scale score of 12. Her narrative, analyzed using Labov's model, showed the experience extended beyond the NDE itself, influencing her recovery and life. She suffered prolonged hallucinations, neuropathy, and post-intensive care syndrome, while also experiencing NDE aftereffects such as a shift toward altruism and a greater interest in life's meaning. The case highlights the need for healthcare providers to communicate compassionately with comatose patients and to encourage NDE survivors to share their stories.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
June 5, 2026
Elise C Tarbi, Ian Bhatia, Nabil Balach et al.
A direct observation coding system can reliably identify moments when people narrate experiences of awe during psychedelic-assisted therapy. In 32 video-recorded therapy sessions from a Phase 2 trial of psilocybin-assisted therapy for advanced cancer, two coders independently identified 246 moments of awe narration across 16,760 minutes. Coders were substantially more confident when vastness was present (odds ratio 4.3). The coding system was refined to split accommodation into two components: initial cognitive disruption and later engagement with that disruption. Awe narration is observable using explicit definitional criteria, providing a foundation for larger-scale studies.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
June 3, 2026
Michel Dorval, Virginie Audet-Croteau, Sue-Ling Chang et al.
After one year of offering psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) at a Canadian university-affiliated tertiary care center, no patients had received the treatment despite clinicians and managers viewing it favorably. Interviews with ten professionals identified administrative and regulatory procedures, along with logistical constraints, as key barriers, while perceived clinical relevance and institutional leadership were facilitators. The estimated cost of delivering a complete PAT intervention ranged from 2,648 to 5,827 Canadian dollars per patient, excluding the cost of psilocybin itself. The gap between regulatory authorization and actual service uptake highlights the need for structured implementation strategies, sustained institutional support, and alignment between regulatory frameworks and clinical workflows.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
January 16, 2026
Denis Juraga, Darko Roviš, Mihaela Marinović Glavić et al.
A seven-week mindfulness-based community intervention reduced depression and improved self-efficacy among older adults (≥65 years) at a six-month follow-up. In a quasi-experimental study with 257 participants, those in the intervention group showed significantly fewer depressive symptoms and better general self-efficacy, chronic disease self-management self-efficacy, and physical activity and nutritional self-efficacy compared with a non-intervention comparison group. Perceived social support increased within the intervention group, but between-group differences were not statistically significant after adjusting for baseline covariates. The program appears to offer mental health and self-management benefits for older people in community settings.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
January 13, 2026
Rebecca Ciacchini, Alessandro Lazzarelli, Giorgia Papini et al.
A 12-week Qigong program for Italian university students was feasible and associated with improvements in mental health and well-being. Of 332 enrolled undergraduates, 114 completed the intervention, which combined static and dynamic Neidan Qigong exercises. Self-report measures showed consistent improvements across mindfulness, interoceptive ability, perceived stress, depression, anxiety, emotion regulation, alexithymia, and sleep quality. The findings are preliminary and uncontrolled, so further research with rigorous designs is needed to confirm stability over time and clarify the role of spontaneous movement.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
January 13, 2026
Andrea Lizama-Lefno, Krystel Mojica, Mayte Serrat et al.
Mindfulness programs reduce anxiety, depression, and stress with moderate efficacy, but their effect sizes are often inflated by methodological limitations. Cognitive and emotional regulation skills—particularly acceptance and non-judgment—sustain long-term benefits more consistently than meditation alone. Psychoeducation and informal practice may be as important as meditation in improving mental health outcomes. The review calls for rigorous longitudinal studies to identify the mechanisms driving clinical change and to distinguish evidence-based applications from overstated claims.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
November 7, 2025
Francesca Scafuto, Rossella Mattea Quinto, Graziella Orrù et al.
A narrative review of 42 studies found that contemplative practices—including mindfulness, yoga, tai chi, qigong, and meditation—can reduce trauma-related symptoms such as reactivity, intrusion, hyperarousal, and negative cognitions and mood in both adults and youths. Mindfulness was the most studied approach. Evidence on avoidance symptoms and physiological measures was mixed. The authors suggest combining contemplative practices with trauma-focused psychotherapy to improve emotional expression, awareness of fear and shame, and metacognitive processes, thereby supporting healing of the self and restoring trust.