Daily Self-Acupressure May Ease Fatigue, Sleep and Mood Problems After Breast Cancer

BrainASAP cover illustration: a thumb pressing a glowing point on an open forearm and hand, with other glowing points along a dotted line, on a dark green background. Text reads Self-Acupressure May Ease Fatigue After Cancer: 108 breast cancer survivors; beat pressing fake points; sleep and mood improved too.

TL;DR: In a Chinese trial of 108 breast cancer survivors, 7 weeks of daily self-acupressure eased a combined score for fatigue, poor sleep and low mood more than pressing fake points or usual care. The gains held 12 weeks later, though all results were self-reported. Key Findings 108 survivors, 3 groups: Real acupressure, fake-point pressing …

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Urdu-Adapted Therapy for Anxiety and Depression Proved Feasible in a Small Pakistan Pilot Trial

Urdu-Adapted Therapy for Anxiety and Depression Proved Feasible in a Small Pakistan Pilot Trial

TL;DR: In a small Pakistan pilot, 23 of 25 adults given an Urdu version of a talk therapy for anxiety and depression finished all 14 weeks. The trial was too small to show the therapy works. Key Findings Signed up and stayed: 51 adults were randomly assigned to therapy or a waitlist. 42 of 51 …

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PTSD Therapy Tied to Large Symptom Gains in Low- and Middle-Income Countries, but the Evidence Is Weak

PTSD Therapy Tied to Large Symptom Gains in Low- and Middle-Income Countries, but the Evidence Is Weak

TL;DR: Across 55 trials in low- and middle-income countries (5,041 adults), people who got therapy had much lower PTSD symptoms than people on a wait-list or other comparison. The evidence was very low certainty because many trials were weakly run. Key Findings Big gap after treatment: PTSD symptoms 1.31 standard deviations lower in therapy groups …

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Trazodone May Boost Deep Sleep in Depression, but Causes Drowsiness

Trazodone May Boost Deep Sleep in Depression, but Causes Drowsiness

TL;DR: In a pooled review of 8 studies of 980 people with depression and sleep problems, sleep tests showed more deep sleep and less light sleep after taking trazodone than before. Compared with placebo, though, the deep-sleep gain was not clear, and drowsiness and dizziness were more common. Key Findings 8 studies, 980 people: 5 …

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A Therapy App for Depression After Concussion Didn’t Beat an Education App

A Therapy App for Depression After Concussion Didn't Beat an Education App

TL;DR: A therapy app did not reduce depression scores more than a look-alike education app in a trial of adults with past concussions. Insomnia scores improved more with the therapy app, but only 42 of 113 participants completed the main 12-week check-in. Key Findings No edge on depression: Over 12 weeks, depression scores fell 2.0 …

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Repeated Brain Injuries From a Partner Linked to About a Decade of Extra ‘Cognitive Age’

Repeated Brain Injuries From a Partner Linked to About a Decade of Extra 'Cognitive Age'

TL;DR: Women who reported 10+ brain injuries from a partner performed on a speed test like someone about 21 years older than their actual age. They scored about 11 years “older” than survivors with no brain injury; the study of 207 women found a link, not proof that the injuries caused the difference. Key Findings …

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Lumateperone 42 mg Added to Antidepressants Increased Side Effects in Two Depression Trials

Lumateperone 42 mg Added to Antidepressants Increased Side Effects in Two Depression Trials

TL;DR: A 2026 pooled analysis in CNS Drugs combined two six-week trials of adults whose depression hadn’t responded well enough to an antidepressant. Adding the antipsychotic lumateperone instead of a placebo raised the share of people with side effects from 45.1% to 68.1% and the share who quit because of them from 0.8% to 8.7%. …

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Parkinson’s Disease Showed No Clear Difference in Creative-Thinking Scores Across 10 Studies

Parkinson's Disease Showed No Clear Difference in Creative-Thinking Scores Across 10 Studies

TL;DR: A 2026 meta-analysis in Neurological Sciences pooled 10 studies that gave people with Parkinson’s disease, tested while on their dopamine medication, and healthy adults the same “think of as many ideas as you can” tasks. On average, the two groups scored about the same, with neither a creative boost nor a clear deficit. Key …

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