MENTAL HEALTH

This pilot study tested a phone-based program called SLAC, designed to help Veterans with risky drinking connect to professional alcohol care. The study involved 140 Veterans who also had symptoms of PTSD or depression. Researchers compared the new program to usual care to see if…

This small, completed pilot study tested whether a 6-month smartphone app program was practical and acceptable for helping young adult cancer survivors manage their weight. The program used an app, a smart scale, and an activity tracker to help with diet and exercise. Researchers…

This study tested a technology-enhanced family navigation program designed to help families of children with autism find and connect with mental health services more quickly. Researchers worked with 65 families and primary care clinics to adapt and trial this support system. The …

This study aimed to find the best way to combine community support programs to prevent suicide and build strength in American Indian youth ages 10-29 who were at risk. Researchers tested different sequences of three approaches: a brief counseling program (New Hope), a cultural co…

This study tested a mobile web app version of a program that teaches middle school students how to safely intervene when they witness bullying. Over 600 students in four states participated to see if this online approach could be a practical and effective way to prevent bullying.…

This study tested whether specific public health messages could encourage veterans at risk for suicide to seek mental health care during their first year after leaving military service. Researchers worked with 355 veterans who reported suicidal thoughts but were reluctant to get …

This study tested a new way to help prevent burnout in doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff. A small group of 31 workers received a 9-week program of tips and exercises sent through WhatsApp. The goal was to see if this easy-to-use, text-based approach could reduce stress …

This study tested whether special training for staff in youth residential facilities could help prevent suicide and self-harm among the young people living there. About 1,000 staff and youth participated. Researchers compared facilities where staff received the new training and c…

This study tested whether a special play-based program, led by occupational therapists, could help young children (ages 2-4) from high-poverty neighborhoods cope better with stress and trauma. The 8-week program aimed to build resilience, self-regulation, and emotional skills in …

This study tested whether a mindfulness program could improve the well-being of doctors and nurses and encourage better hand hygiene. Over 300 VA healthcare workers were randomly assigned to either receive mindfulness training or continue their usual routine. The training taught …

This study tested whether a special 12-week school sports program could improve mental health and physical fitness in rural children whose parents have moved away for work. Forty children were randomly assigned to either the new program, which mixed cooperative games with soccer …

This study tested whether taking omega-3 fish oil supplements could affect anxiety, depression symptoms, and vitamin D levels in college students. 103 students aged 18-27 took either a placebo, a low dose, or a high dose of omega-3 pills daily for 90 days. Researchers measured ch…

This study tested whether a special probiotic supplement, called a psychobiotic, could improve mental health and aid weight loss in obese women. Forty participants followed a weight-loss diet and took either the probiotic or a placebo pill daily for four weeks. Researchers measur…

This study tested whether encouraging university students to spend more time outdoors in nature could improve their mental health and feelings of distress. Researchers used a phone app to track students' nature exposure and randomly assigned some to receive extra encouragement to…

This study tested whether a simple art activity called mandala therapy could help nurses feel better mentally and improve their attitude at work. 90 nurses were split into two groups: one group did the art sessions, while the other continued their normal routine. Researchers meas…

This study tested whether a short online video program could improve mental health and quality of life for people living with myasthenia gravis, a chronic autoimmune disease. Seventy-seven patients watched four video lessons focused on building support, managing emotions, and fin…

This study tested whether a virtual reality (VR) relaxation app is practical and acceptable for patients staying in psychiatric hospital wards. Researchers worked with 43 patients and staff to design and then try the VR therapy in drop-in sessions. The goal was to see if VR could…

This study tested whether a mindfulness training program delivered through a mobile app could help reduce job burnout and improve mental resilience in hospital nurses. Researchers compared 124 nurses who used the mindfulness app against nurses who continued their normal routines,…

This study tested two 10-week training programs designed to help healthcare workers manage stress and improve their job skills. Fifty-four participants were assigned to either a mindfulness program (for those struggling with emotions) or a coaching program (for those ready to set…

This study tested whether using a faith-based mobile app (PRAY.COM) could help improve mental health and well-being for university students. 450 students were asked to use the app for at least 10 minutes daily for 8 weeks. Researchers measured if students found the app useful and…

This study tested whether an 8-week program of supportive phone calls could improve mental health for older adults at risk of loneliness and depression. Researchers enrolled 671 adults aged 55+ who were receiving meal services from senior centers. Participants received weekly 'wa…

This study tested whether a supervised exercise program on campus was practical and acceptable for university students experiencing mild-to-moderate mental health concerns like stress or low mood. It involved about 20 students from York St John University to see if the program co…

This Harvard University study tested whether group music activities could support the mental health of 4- and 5-year-old children. Researchers compared children who participated in communal singing sessions to those who did not, measuring changes in behavior and brain activity ov…

This study tested whether trained volunteers could help reduce loneliness in older adults through regular phone calls. Volunteers taught simple mindfulness and activity-planning techniques to 251 participants aged 65 and over in Hong Kong. The goal was to see if this accessible, …

This study tested whether a daily probiotic milk drink could help reduce cold-like symptoms in triathletes around competition time. Eighty healthy adult triathletes were randomly assigned to drink either the probiotic beverage or a placebo daily for several weeks before and after…

This study tested a new mobile app called VetEd, designed to help student veterans who have mental health conditions like depression or PTSD. The app helps with study skills, managing stress, and finding campus and VA resources. Fifteen veterans tried the app for four weeks to se…

This small pilot study explored whether combining live music, guided breathing, and gentle movement could help reduce stress and improve wellbeing. 57 adult participants attended either an in-person or an online session to try this 'Concert Therapy' approach. Researchers measured…

This study tested whether a simple relaxation technique could help nursing students feel less depressed, anxious, and stressed. Researchers divided 104 nursing students into two groups: one group practiced progressive muscle relaxation exercises for four weeks, while the other di…

This small study tested whether an 8-week online group support program is practical and helpful for people living with a spinal cord injury. Twelve participants in Hong Kong attended weekly video meetings led by a trained nurse to learn coping skills. The main goal was to see if …

This study tested whether an 8-week online platform could help caregivers. The platform let them make digital paintings, connect with peers in small groups, and self-assess their mood. Researchers wanted to see if using it improved caregivers' willingness to seek professional hel…

This study tested whether a 4-week group program called 'Dance-Walk' could help adults feel more connected to their bodies, increase their energy, and improve their mental health. Researchers compared 117 people who started the program right away to those who waited, measuring ch…

This study tested a self-guided, online parenting program designed to help parents manage their own emotions and learn supportive ways to respond to their children's feelings. Researchers wanted to see if the program was easy to use and acceptable to parents of children aged 8-13…

This study tested whether a 3-week online self-help program could reduce depression and anxiety in pregnant women. Over 1,600 women were randomly assigned to either try the online mental fitness training or receive standard care. Researchers compared the groups' depression and an…

This study explored whether taking cold baths or cold showers for four weeks could improve health in active adults. Researchers compared people using cold tubs, cold showers, or no cold exposure to see effects on the immune system, sleep, mood, and strength. The goal was to gathe…

This study tested a digital system called TeACH to help teens understand and manage anxiety during primary care visits. Researchers worked with 365 teens from underserved communities to design and implement the tool in clinics. The goal was to see if teens would use digital menta…

This study followed 252 young people starting at age 17 for two years to understand what factors increase or decrease their risk of developing mental health challenges during the transition to adulthood. Researchers assessed participants' mental health, quality of life, family re…

This study aimed to gather information about the eating habits and mental well-being of university students. Participants completed a one-time survey about the foods they ate the previous day and their recent feelings. The goal was to collect data for educational and research pur…

This study tested whether a community-based mental health program was practical and acceptable for women affected by severe flooding in Pakistan. It trained local female health workers to screen nearly 4,800 women for anxiety and depression and refer those who needed help to clin…

This study aimed to understand how the war in Ukraine and the experience of fleeing their country affected the mental health of refugees who resettled in Spain. Researchers surveyed and interviewed 123 Ukrainian adults living in one Spanish province to measure symptoms of depress…

This study explored whether training young Syrian refugees to be community mental health workers would improve their own wellbeing, stress, and coping skills. Researchers compared 115 young adults who either became mental health helpers, provided tutoring, or received no special …