Effects of Integrated Amrita Meditation Technique on Anxiety, Depression, and Plasma Neurotransmitters on a Healthy Population: A Randomized Controlled Trial Followed by a Case-Control Study

Unraveling the Role of the Blood-Brain Barrier in the Pathophysiology of Depression: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives

Depression is a highly prevalent psychological disorder characterized by persistent dysphoria, psychomotor retardation, insomnia, anhedonia, suicidal ideation, and a remarkable decrease in overall well-being. Despite the prevalence of accessible antidepressant therapies, many individuals do not achieve substantial improvement. Understanding the multifactorial pathophysiology and the heterogeneous nature of the disorder could lead the way toward better outcomes. Recent findings have elucidated the substantial impact of compromised blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity on the manifestation of depression. BBB functions as an indispensable defense mechanism, tightly overseeing the transport of molecules from the periphery to preserve the integrity of the brain parenchyma. The dysfunction of the BBB has been implicated in a multitude of neurological disorders, and its disruption and consequent brain alterations could potentially serve as important factors in the pathogenesis and progression of depression. In this review, we extensively examine the pathophysiological relevance of the BBB and delve into the specific modifications of its components that underlie the complexities of depression. A particular focus has been placed on examining the effects of peripheral inflammation on the BBB in depression and elucidating the intricate interactions between the gut, BBB, and brain. Furthermore, this review encompasses significant updates on the assessment of BBB integrity and permeability, providing a comprehensive overview of the topic. Finally, we outline the therapeutic relevance and strategies based on BBB in depression, including COVID-19-associated BBB disruption and neuropsychiatric implications. Understanding the comprehensive pathogenic cascade of depression is crucial for shaping the trajectory of future research endeavors.

The effect of mind-body exercise in lung cancer patients: a meta-analysis of RCTs

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of mind-body exercise (yoga, tai chi, qigong, etc.) on lung cancer.

METHODS

We performed a literature search of the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, CBM, WanFang Data, and VIP from their inception to 16 May 2023. The primary outcome was the 6-min walk test (6MWT), while the secondary outcomes were anxiety levels and quality of life (QoL). Two independent reviewers performed the data extraction using a predefined protocol and assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane risk of bias (ROB) tool for randomized controlled trials, with differences agreed by consensus. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 15 software to analyze the extracted data.

RESULTS

This meta-analysis included a total of 11 studies involving 897 patients. The results indicated that compared to the usual care group, lung cancer patients in the mind-body exercise group could increase the 6-min walk distance (5 studies, 346 participants, WMD: 18.83, 95% CI (7.55, 30.10) P = 0.001), reduce anxiety levels (4 studies, 362 participants, SMD: - 1.51, 95% CI (- 1.74, - 1.27), P < 0.05), and enhance the overall quality of life (6 studies, 594 participants, SMD: 0.71, 95% CI (0.10, 1.31), P = 0.02). The overall certainty of the evidence for all outcomes was low; seven studies were judged to be at low risk of bias, and four studies were judged to be at moderate risk of bias.

CONCLUSION

Mind-body exercise could improve exercise capacity in lung cancer survivors, reduce anxiety, and positively affect overall quality of life.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42023426800.

Effects of Mind-Body Training as a Mental Health Therapy in Adults with Diabetes Mellitus Type II: A Systematic Review

The increase in the prevalence and disease burden of diabetes has highlighted the need to strengthen a comprehensive care system that includes mental health treatment. A systematic review was carried out to analyze the effectiveness of mind-body training as a therapy for the mental health management of adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were consulted between November and December 2022. Eight articles were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Only randomized controlled trials were included. The interventions focused on mindfulness and yoga with variable durations of between 8 weeks and 6 months. Four of the included studies observed statistically significant changes (p < 0.05) in anxiety. Six articles determined that mind-body training was effective for treating depression. Finally, five articles found favorable effects on stress, while one did not observe changes at 8 weeks of intervention or after 1 year of follow-up. The evidence supports the use of mind-body training to reduce stress, depression, and anxiety levels in the adult population with T2DM, which makes this type of training a valuable intervention to be included in an integral approach to diabetic pathology.