Mental health: chatbots show screening potential, not an ability to replace clinicians
A review of 18 studies reports encouraging performance in mental health screening, but heterogeneous methods limit the conclusions.
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Recent studies and announcements, explained with the same rigor as our analyses: sources, context, and the limitations of the data.
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Neuropathic pain: exosomes remain a largely preclinical research avenue
A systematic review brings together 17 studies on stem cell-derived exosomes. The findings are largely preclinical and do not demonstrate efficacy in humans.
Rehabilitation after an incisional hernia: a muscle benefit that remains exploratory
A randomized trial in 30 adults suggests a benefit of rehabilitation on only one of four primary trunk strength outcomes.
Heart rate variability after a high-risk birth: differences depend on age and context
A meta-analysis of 27 studies examines heart rate variability after hospital discharge. Differences are most consistent for fetal growth disorders.
ADHD in children: lower ferritin, with no evidence of a benefit from iron
A meta-analysis links ADHD in children to lower ferritin. It demonstrates neither causality nor the effectiveness of supplementation.
Dementia in care facilities: virtual reality performs no better than cognitive stimulation in a trial
A trial involving 56 residents shows no greater benefit from virtual reality for behavioral symptoms or well-being.
Contact sports: biomarkers increase without establishing brain injury
A meta-analysis finds an increase in blood biomarkers after certain contact sports, but biases prevent conclusions about brain integrity.
Physical activity and menstrual symptoms: potential benefits, but no universal cycle-based program
A review of 55 studies suggests that physical activity may ease menstrual pain, but does not establish a standard cycle-based training program.
Panic disorder: an app used alongside medication appears to reduce symptoms
A randomized trial suggests a benefit from adding a therapeutic app to medication for panic disorder, with follow-up limited to eight weeks.
Type 2 diabetes: educational interventions could reduce fear of hypoglycemia
A review of eleven trials suggests a benefit for fear of hypoglycemia, but the certainty of the evidence is very low.
LDL cholesterol: oral PCSK9 inhibitors show a substantial effect, but evidence remains limited
A meta-analysis of five trials shows a substantial reduction in LDL with oral PCSK9 inhibitors, without establishing which treatment is superior.
Circulating taurine: a genetic study identifies avenues for research, not benefits of supplementation
A genetic meta-analysis of 36,490 people explores links between circulating taurine and health, without testing supplement use.
Berberine and PCOS: a review questions the reliability of four trials
A review excludes four trials of berberine in PCOS over integrity concerns. Its effectiveness cannot be established on this basis.
Sleep apnea: treatments targeting GLP-1 appear to reduce respiratory events
A meta-analysis of six trials reports fewer apneas and hypopneas, but highly variable results and no evidence that these treatments can replace CPAP.
Benzodiazepines and heart failure: a meta-analysis finds an association, not causation
A review of eleven studies associates benzodiazepines with more heart failure-related events, without demonstrating a causal effect.
Functional constipation: probiotic BL-99 shows a benefit in a small trial
A placebo-controlled trial suggests symptom improvement with BL-99. The small sample size and short follow-up prevent conclusions about lasting benefits.
Type 2 diabetes: rose hip appears to reduce orthostatic symptoms in a small trial
A four-week trial suggests a benefit from rose hip in adults with diabetes and orthostatic hypotension. These findings remain preliminary.
Flavonoid-rich foods: a possible vascular benefit, not proof of cardiovascular prevention
A meta-analysis of 11 trials in healthy adults suggests improvements in some vascular markers, with no demonstrated reduction in blood pressure.
Acupuncture and cognition: a short-term signal, with no evidence of lasting benefit
A meta-analysis of nine trials reports improvements on cognitive tests but demonstrates neither a lasting effect nor a slowing of the disease.
Chestnut flour bread reduces glycemic response in a small trial in healthy adults
In 14 healthy adults, bread containing 50% chestnut flour reduced the glycemic response after a meal. The long-term effect remains unknown.