Virtual therapist tool was acceptable to hospitalized people with schizophrenia, but empathy and flexibility were limited
Patients liked clear communication and relaxation exercises, while reporting rigid dialogue and technical glitches. A pilot study tested a conversational agent called Terabot to support recognition and regulation of anger, shame, and fear in hospitalized people diagnosed with schizophrenia. Patients generally rated the experience positively, especially for clarity, friendly appearance, and helpful exercises, but rated […]
On-site and mixed Tai Chi cut anxiety and depression in college students over eight weeks
In this trial, where Tai Chi was taught mattered as much as the practice itself. An eight-week 24-Style Tai Chi program improved college students’ mental health, but only when participation stayed high. On-site and mixed delivery reduced anxiety and depression, while online and mixed delivery improved self-efficacy. Independent practice showed no significant change. Quick summary […]
Complex chronic illness in older sexual and gender minority adults tied to higher Medicare spending and use
Linked Medicare and survey data show chronic condition complexity is a major cost driver, with discrimination patterns that complicate access. Older sexual and gender minority Medicare beneficiaries with more severe and complex chronic conditions had higher Medicare spending, higher physician spending, and higher odds of being high-cost and using healthcare. Disability and dual eligibility were […]
Mixed physical and mental fatigue cut badminton smash speed 10.6 percent and accuracy 46.1 percent
As fatigue deepened, accuracy dropped fast and a speed-accuracy trade-off appeared under moderate to severe fatigue. When physical and mental fatigue were induced together, badminton forehand smash performance fell sharply, especially accuracy. From baseline to severe fatigue, smash speed dropped 10.6% and accuracy dropped 46.1%. Under moderate-to-severe fatigue, hitting faster was linked to worse accuracy, […]
Indian adolescents spent almost nine hours a day sedentary, with private school students sitting much more
A time-use survey in a South Indian city found most sedentary time came from class and studying, not just leisure. Adolescents in a mid-sized South Indian city averaged 528 minutes a day in sedentary activities, across 7.3 bouts. Most of that time was school and studying, not leisure. Private school students spent far more time […]
Nurse-delivered brief counselling reduced anxiety after self-poisoning at six months, but not at one year
A single hospital counselling session improved short-term anxiety and some coping skills, without clear effects on depression, alcohol risk, or repeat self-harm. A nurse-delivered brief counselling session after non-fatal self-poisoning lowered anxiety at six months, but the difference was not present at one year. The intervention also increased some coping strategies at six months, with […]
Patient reported frailty score after stroke predicted higher mortality in a Swedish registry study
Nine self-reported items at three months formed a robust frailty scale that tracked survival over follow-up. A Swedish registry study built a frailty score from nine patient-reported items collected three months after stroke. The score fit best as a general frailty dimension with two related facets: physical functioning and well-being with mental health. Higher frailty […]
Heat exposure in older adults in India linked to worse health and more depressive symptoms
Health insurance appeared to reduce several heat-related harms, while women and some homeowners showed steeper declines in self-rated health. Severe heat exposure in the same month was associated with poorer self-reported health and more frequent depressive feelings, fatigue, and fear among older adults in India. Heat exposure was also linked to a higher likelihood of […]
Hemodialysis patients had low quality of life, tied to education, insurance, smoking, and years on dialysis
A cross-sectional study in southern Iran links health-related quality of life to socioeconomic and lifestyle factors more than age or sex. People on maintenance hemodialysis reported markedly reduced health-related quality of life across multiple measures. Better education and supplemental insurance were linked to higher scores, while smoking, being divorced or widowed, being retired or disabled, […]
Psoriasis linked to higher odds of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma in survey data
A large national survey analysis found psoriasis was strongly associated with both airway conditions. A 2023 national survey analysis found psoriasis was associated with higher odds of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. The associations held across multiple adjusted statistical models, though the estimates became smaller with more adjustment. Psoriasis also showed substantial predictive power […]