Physical activity (PA) is a cornerstone of obesity treatment. However, changes in self-perceptions during supervised PA interventions remain insufficiently understood, particularly regarding their temporal dynamics and maintenance after intervention completion. Moreover, because individuals with obesity tend to avoid in-person PA due to fear of stigma, digital PA programmes may represent a particularly relevant alternative.

This article reports a multi-time-point intervention study using a dual-independent cohort design. Changes in self-esteem and body image facets during supervised PA interventions in women with obesity were explored in two independent longitudinal studies. Global self-esteem (GSE), physical self-worth (PSW) and its four subdomains (sport competence, physical condition, physical strength and body attractiveness), body dissatisfaction and body appreciation were assessed at baseline, monthly during each intervention, and at three-month follow-up.

In Study 1, women who completed the face-to-face intervention (n = 63) showed significant increases in GSE, PSW and its four subdomains, and body appreciation, along with a significant decrease in body dissatisfaction. In Study 2, women who completed the digital intervention (n = 19) showed similar patterns of change, except that GSE, physical strength, and sport competence did not significantly differ from pre-to post-intervention. Across both studies, most changes were observed within the first month, plateaued over the remaining two months, and were maintained at follow-up. A similar pattern was observed across both modalities.

These findings suggest that supervised PA interventions, delivered either face-to-face or digitally, may be associated with improvements in self-esteem and body image among women with obesity and that the first weeks of a supervised PA programme may represent a critical moment for these variables. These findings are relevant in the context of the obesity epidemic, as these variables are key indicators of mental health and predictors of healthy behaviours and long-term weight loss.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have established cardiometabolic benefits and are increasingly used in combination, including in patients without diabetes. Although both drug classes have been studied extensively for metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes, their effects on cardiac arrhythmias, particularly in non-diabetic obese patients, remain poorly defined.

To compare arrhythmia outcomes in non-diabetic obese patients receiving combined GLP-1RA and SGLT2i therapy versus GLP-1RA alone, with particular focus on time-dependent changes in atrial and ventricular arrhythmia risk.

We performed a retrospective real-world cohort study of non-diabetic obese adults treated with either combined GLP-1RA and SGLT2i therapy or GLP-1RA alone. Cohorts were balanced through propensity score matching. The primary outcome was composite arrhythmia. Secondary outcomes included atrial fibrillation/flutter, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. Outcomes were assessed at 60 months, with additional longitudinal analyses from 6 months through 96 months to better define the timing of benefit and the evolution of arrhythmia risk.

At 60 months, combination therapy was associated with 17.5% lower odds of composite arrhythmia compared with GLP-1RA alone, OR 0.825 (0.731-0.932). This benefit emerged by 24 months and persisted through 96 months. The reduction in the primary outcome was driven mainly by lower atrial arrhythmia burden, with atrial fibrillation/flutter occurring 17.9% less often in the combination group at 60 months, OR 0.821 (0.722-0.934); this benefit became apparent by 18 months and remained present through 96 months. In contrast, ventricular tachycardia was more frequent in the combination group during earlier follow-up intervals, including 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, but this difference was not sustained and became similar between groups around 60 months, OR 1.186 (0.943-1.491), and persisted through 96 months. Ventricular fibrillation remained comparable between groups throughout the follow-up period.

In non-diabetic obese patients, combined GLP-1RA and SGLT2i therapy was associated with lower long-term odds of composite arrhythmia compared with GLP-1RA alone, largely driven by a reduction in atrial fibrillation/flutter. An increased ventricular tachycardia risk with combination therapy appeared to diminish over time, while ventricular fibrillation remained unchanged. These findings suggest that combination therapy may have a favorable long-term electrophysiologic profile in non-diabetic obesity and highlight the importance of time-dependent analysis when evaluating arrhythmia outcomes with cardiometabolic therapies.

The diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder has historically been biased toward a male-centered model, rendering women and gender-diverse individuals largely invisible. This commentary reviews the origins of such bias, its contemporary manifestations, and the clinical, social, epistemological, and mental health equity implications it entails. Pathways toward a more equitable and inclusive model are proposed.

Alexithymia is one of the most common psychological characteristics observed in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is associated with poorer health outcomes. The negative impact of alexithymia on physical illness is reflected in more severe clinical symptoms and poorer quality of life, which adversely affect clinical outcomes and further increase disease burden, potentially contributing to a cycle of worsening health status. Therefore, timely identification of the psychological characteristics of patients with COPD, along with early psychological support, may help improve the quality of life of patients with COPD.

To explore the latent profiles of alexithymia among patients with COPD and to analyze their associated factors.

This cross-sectional study recruited 312 patients with COPD using convenience sampling between October 2024 and March 2025. Sociodemographic characteristics, physiological and disease-related information, psychospiritual information, environmental factors, and alexithymia scores were collected. Latent profile analysis, univariate analysis, and multinomial logistic regression were conducted to identify alexithymia profiles and examine factors associated with profile membership.

The results of this study showed that patients with COPD were categorized into three alexithymia profiles: high (28.85%), moderate (63.46%), and low (7.69%). COPD duration, depression, activity intensity, self-perceived social support, psychological resilience, and anxiety were associated with different alexithymia profiles among patients with COPD.

This single-center cross-sectional study identified three preliminary alexithymia profiles (high, moderate, and low) among patients with COPD. Due to potential selection bias resulting from convenience sampling, these findings require validation in multicenter studies before generalization. The observed associations among COPD duration, depression, activity intensity, social support, resilience, and anxiety provide empirical evidence to inform the development of tailored patient classification and targeted support strategies for early identification, with the goal of improving quality of life in this population.

Measurement-based care (MBC) is a vital tool in outpatient psychiatric care, enhancing treatment outcomes through systematic symptom monitoring. This study aimed to identify factors associated with remission and response in depression treatment using MBC, focusing on longitudinal changes in Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores.

Electronic health records of 4778 patients aged 12+ from an academic outpatient psychiatry clinic were analyzed. Inclusion criteria required a baseline PHQ-9 score > 9 and at least one follow-up PHQ-9 measurement. Factors associated with treatment response and remission, using different definitions, were evaluated using Cox regression models, adjusting for demographic and clinical covariates.

Response and remission rates were 46.3% and 28.2%, respectively. For response, significant associated factors were combined treatment (HR = 1.189, p = 0.014), follow-up PHQ-9 within 4-9 months (HR = 1.303, p < 0.001), and absence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (HR = 0.817, p = 0.018). Key factors associated with faster remission (HR > 1) included combined psychiatry and psychotherapy treatment (HR = 1.189, p = 0.014), timely follow-up PHQ-9 administration within 4-9 months (HR = 1.255, p = 0.002), lower baseline PHQ-9 scores (HR = 0.931, p < 0.001), and absence of PTSD (HR = 0.751, p = 0.010). Alternative remission definitions (PHQ-9 < 12 or < 9) yielded similar findings.

Integrated psychiatry-psychotherapy approaches, regular symptom monitoring, and addressing comorbid conditions like PTSD are critical for improving depression outcomes. The findings shed light on how MBC can be used to evaluate treatment effectiveness, inform clinical practice, and guide optimized treatment strategies.

Integrating MBC into a combined psychiatry-psychotherapy framework and systematically addressing comorbidities provides clinicians with powerful strategies to significantly improve depression remission rates.

Social isolation and loneliness threaten both mental and physical health. This commentary highlights innovative programs that prioritize treating social connection as a social need and driver of health, drawing from four major initiatives within the Department of Veterans Affairs: Veterans Socials, Caring Contacts, the Expiration Term of Service Sponsorship Program, and Department of Veterans Affairs S.A.V.E. Key features of these four programs and suggestions for how healthcare systems can act as meaningful catalysts of social connection are provided, including community engagement, volunteer involvement, commitment to research and evaluation, and scaling evidence-based models and education.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits. Cinnamaldehyde (CA) possesses anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and digestive-regulatory properties. However, its therapeutic potential for IBS and mechanisms are not understood. We employed network pharmacology to identify potential targets and pathways of CA against IBS. Core targets were validated through molecular docking, and further verified in an IBS rat model induced by neonatal maternal separation (NMS) and water avoidance stress (WAS). Network pharmacology identified 139 potential targets of CA related to IBS. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis highlighted key biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis suggested involvement of pathways such as nitrogen metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, and cocaine addiction. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network revealed 11 major targets, and molecular docking demonstrated strong binding affinities between CA and several targets, particularly MAOB, PARP1, HDAC1, JAK2, and MMP2. Animal experiments confirmed that CA significantly reduces MAOB, as well as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β levels, thereby alleviating visceral hypersensitivity and anxiety and depression-like behaviors in IBS rats. These findings provide a scientific basis for developing CA as a potential natural therapeutic agent for IBS.

This study aims to evaluate the association between hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use and clinical outcomes in women with rotator cuff tears (RCTs) over a five-year follow-up period.

Between February 2011 and June 2015, a total of 77 women aged ≥ 45 years with symptomatic RCTs in a multi-center cohort were retrospectively analyzed. The HRT status was self-reported. Patient-reported outcome measures included the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and Mental Health Inventory (MHI), assessed at multiple time points over 60 months. Magnetic resonance imaging data were used to evaluate tear size, muscle atrophy, and fatty infiltration.

Of a total of 77 women included in the analysis, the HRT group consisted of 13 patients and the non-HRT group consisted of 64 patients. The mean age of women receiving HRT was 58.7 ± 7.0 years, compared to 63.5 ± 8.6 years in those not on HRT (p = 0.061). No statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics or clinical outcomes were observed between HRT and non-HRT groups (p > 0.05). Patients on HRT showed distinct recovery trends, particularly among those managed non-operatively, with early improvements in ASES and SPADI scores that fluctuated over time. Imaging analysis revealed significantly greater odds of moderate-to-severe muscle atrophy in the HRT group (p = 0.0187), although fatty infiltration and tear size did not significantly differ.

Hormone replacement therapy use demonstrated distinct functional recovery trends in women with rotator cuff tears, particularly among non-operatively managed patients, though no statistically significant differences in overall clinical outcomes were observed. These findings suggest that hormonal status may selectively influence musculoskeletal recovery and warrant further investigation to better inform sex-specific management for rotator cuff tears during and following the menopause transition.

Maternal adaptation after childbirth represents a complex psychological process that significantly influences maternal well-being, mother-infant interaction, and long-term child development. While postpartum depression and post-traumatic stress disorder have been extensively studied, less attention has been given to early stress-coping patterns and interpersonal characteristics associated with adjustment difficulties.

This pilot case-control study included 104 women within the first postpartum year. Fifty seven women diagnosed with adjustment disorder (ICD-10: F43.2) formed the ineffective adaptation group, while 47 women without adaptation difficulties served as controls. Stresscoping strategies were assessed using the SVF 78 questionnaire, and interpersonal behavior was evaluated using the Interpersonal Checklist (ICL). Group differences were analyzed using non-parametric and categorical statistical tests.

Women with ineffective postpartum adaptation demonstrated significantly higher use of negative stress-coping strategies and lower use of positive strategies (all p < 0.001). Resignation, escape tendency, perseveration, and low positive self-instruction were significantly associated with ineffective adaptation. The accumulation of multiple maladaptive coping strategies was related to a substantially higher proportion of women experiencing adaptation difficulties. Interpersonal analysis indicated that a rebellious-distrustful personality pattern was significantly more frequent in the ineffective adaptation group.

Ineffective postpartum adaptation, operationalized as adjustment disorder, is associated with specific maladaptive stress-coping strategies and interpersonal characteristics. These findings may contribute to improved clinical awareness and support the development of preventive psychosocial interventions in postpartum care.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1753551.].