Mental health
Chatbots show significant potential for bridging gaps in traditional mental health services, new research has found. Psychologists at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) reviewed 31 studies published between 2017 and 2023 which examined the use of chatbots as mental health interventions. The evidence showed that the artificial intelligence (AI) tools are generally well-received by users and [...]
A staff member at a British university is helping everyone from friends to complete strangers to improve their mental health through their shared love of football. Sean Davies' own experiences inspired him to create Stay Strong United to give people the opportunity to be active as well as be a safe space to voice their [...]
Researchers at EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) have successfully tested a novel technique for probing deep into the human brain, without surgery, for potential therapeutic purposes. Neurological disorders, such as addiction, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), affect millions of people worldwide and are often characterised by complex pathologies involving multiple brain regions and circuits. [...]
A new assessment tool that leverages powerful artificial intelligence was able to predict whether participants exhibited suicidal thoughts and behaviours using a quick and simple combination of variables. Developed by researchers at Northwestern University, the University of Cincinnati (UC), Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard School of Medicine, the system focuses on a [...]
The therapist-patient relationship could matter more than the effects of psychedelics themselves when treating depression, the findings from a new study suggest. Researchers analysed data from a 2021 clinical trial that found psilocybin, found in magic mushrooms, combined with psychotherapy in adults was effective at treating major depressive disorder. Data included depression outcomes and participant [...]
A therapist-guided digital cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) treatment reduced distress in 89 per cent of participants living with long-term physical health conditions, a new King’s College London study found. Researchers at the university's Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) found that people living with long-term conditions who engaged in the COMPASS programme showed a [...]
A team of US researchers has developed a new blood test for schizophrenia. Schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders affect over 3 million people in the US and around 220,000 people in the UK. The new test identifies biomarkers in the blood that can objectively measure their current severity and future risk for schizophrenia and matches [...]
Depression and loneliness can be prevented using structured, telephone-based psychological care, delivered over eight weeks, according to a new study from the UK. The research, led by a team based at the University of York and Hull York Medical School and at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, found levels of depression reduced [...]
Nearly four out of five Canadians believe that the use of the hallucinogen psilocybin, found in magic mushrooms, is an acceptable medical approach to treat existential distress in patients suffering from a serious and incurable disease. This is the main conclusion of an online survey of 2,800 adults conducted by a research team led by [...]
In our fast-paced world, where technology and deadlines often dominate our daily lives, the importance of quality sleep cannot be overstated. Sleep is vital in maintaining overall wellbeing, impacting our physical and mental health. Sleep is crucial for optimal cognitive function, emotional balance, and immune system support. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), adults [...]
