BackgroundFrontline hotel employees in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) routinely suppress authentic emotions to meet organizational display rules—a process known as surface acting—associated with burnout, emotional exhaustion, and diminished well-being. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), adapted within a collectivist, Buddhist-informed cultural framework, offers a theoretically grounded pathway for facilitating regulatory shift from surface to deep acting through enhanced psychological flexibility and emotional acceptance. Empirical evidence for ACT-based interventions specifically targeting emotional labor in hospitality contexts remains limited.MethodsA sequential mixed-methods design was employed across two phases. Phase 1 involved semi-structured interviews with 24 frontline hotel employees to explore emotional labor experiences and inform intervention development. Phase 2 evaluated the ACT-EL intervention—the MINNICHA Model, an 8-session culturally adapted ACT program integrating compassion-based approaches—using a quasi-experimental pre-post design with a non-equivalent control group (n = 30 per condition). Outcomes included the Emotional Labor Scale (ELS), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), and an Emotional Go/No-Go task. Between-group differences were assessed via MANCOVA controlling for baseline scores.ResultsPhase 1 identified four themes: pervasive emotional dissonance and regulatory burden (83% routinely suppressing authentic emotions), culturally amplified display rule demands rooted in Kreng Jai, occupational dignity threats precipitating regulatory collapse, and a critical training gap in which behavioral skills were taught without psychological regulatory resources. Phase 2 showed significant post-intervention improvements in the experimental group across all outcomes. Between-group effects included greater deep acting (d = 0.741), lower surface acting (d = −0.562), improved psychological flexibility (d = 0.810), faster emotional response efficiency (d = −1.607), and higher self-compassion (d = 0.778). The control group showed no significant within-group changes (all p >.05). MANCOVA confirmed significant multivariate between-group differences (Wilks’ Λ = .42, p <.001, partial η² = .58).ConclusionsThe ACT-EL program produced large, significant improvements across cognitive, affective, and behavioral outcomes. Emotional acceptance is proposed as a central mechanism facilitating regulatory shift from surface to deep acting. Buddhist-aligned cultural adaptation with ACT’s core processes offers a replicable model for diverse service workforce contexts. Future randomized trials with active controls, long-term follow-up, and mediation analyses are needed.
Remote EMDR versus CBT for PTSD after the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes: a randomized trial
BackgroundLarge-scale earthquakes are associated with high and persistent rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Although Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) are both guideline-recommended treatments for PTSD, direct randomized comparisons—particularly in post-disaster settings and via remote delivery—remain limited.MethodsIn this randomized, controlled, parallel-group trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06758362), 89 adult survivors of the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes in Türkiye who met DSM-5 criteria for PTSD were assigned to 12 sessions of remotely delivered EMDR (n = 30), CBT (n = 30), or a wait-list control group (n = 29). PTSD severity was the primary outcome, with depression, anxiety, and emotion regulation as secondary outcomes. Assessments were conducted at baseline, mid-treatment, and post-treatment. Analyses followed an intention-to-treat framework using mixed-effects models.ResultsBoth EMDR and CBT produced large reductions in PTSD symptoms compared with the control condition (Cohen’s d ≈ 1.9), alongside moderate-to-large improvements in depression (d ≈ 1.4) and anxiety (d ≈ 1.3). Symptom improvement was evident by mid-treatment and increased through post-treatment. Direct comparisons between EMDR and CBT yielded overlapping confidence intervals, indicating comparable overall efficacy. However, EMDR showed a tendency toward greater reduction in core PTSD symptoms, whereas CBT demonstrated relatively stronger effects on depressive symptoms. Improvements in emotion regulation were observed in both treatment groups but did not reach statistical significance.DiscussionThe findings suggest that both EMDR and CBT are highly effective when delivered remotely in the aftermath of a large-scale natural disaster. Differential response patterns likely reflect distinct therapeutic mechanisms—direct trauma memory processing in EMDR versus cognitive restructuring and behavioral activation in CBT—highlighting their potential complementarity rather than superiority of one approach over the other. The absence of spontaneous improvement in the control group underscores the necessity of structured psychological intervention following earthquake exposure.ConclusionRemotely delivered EMDR and CBT are feasible, effective, and clinically valuable interventions for earthquake-related PTSD. Their comparable efficacy and partially distinct symptom profiles support flexible, needs-based integration of both treatments within disaster mental-health systems.Clinical Trial Registrationhttps://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06758362, identifier NCT06758362.
Semaglutide versus placebo in individuals with poor weight loss after bariatric surgery: a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
Nature Medicine, Published online: 22 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41591-026-04416-4
At week 68, in patients who experienced poor weight loss following bariatric surgery, semaglutide was associated with 18.0% weight loss compared to 0.4% weight gain in patients receiving placebo.
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a Parkinson’s drug setback, a Merck lung cancer therapy, and more
And so, another working week will soon draw to a close. Not a moment too soon, yes? This is, you may recall, our treasured signal to daydream about weekend plans. Our agenda is unusually busy thanks to a lengthy to-do list that must be tackled before we walk one of the no-longer-so-short people down the aisle. What else? Hard to keep track, but once the chaos subsides, we hope to settle in for another listening party, where the rotation will likely include this, this, this, this and this. And what about you? Spring is in the air, so perhaps this is time to hike a trail, stroll through a park, or take a long drive to nowhere. You could also plan a summer getaway (book now before those fuel costs rise again) or clear out the perennial clutter. If all this is too much or the weather fails to cooperate, you could simply go into zen mode and plan the rest of your life. Well, whatever you do, have a grand time. But be safe. Enjoy, and see you on Tuesday, since there is a long weekend due to a holiday on this side of the pond. …
Biogen and Denali Therapeutics said Thursday that their experimental therapy for Parkinson’s disease failed to slow the degenerative brain disorder in a randomized trial, dealing a substantial blow to a scientific approach that stoked excitement among advocates and academics, STAT explains. In the study, 648 adults with Parkinson’s were randomized to receive either a placebo or a pill targeting a protein called LRRK2. In 2004, researchers discovered that mutations in the LRRK2 gene can cause a rare, inherited form of Parkinson’s. And in 2018, another group of scientists showed that blocking the protein might actually benefit all patients with the disease. The results are a significant setback to the latter idea.
Earlier this month, Genentech offered countless academics and other researchers up to $125,000 in grants to generate papers about several topics that read like key talking points for a trip to Capitol Hill, STAT reports. The company is seeking “rigorous, independent” work that focuses on the potential consequences of U.S. pricing policies on future innovation, the idea that pharmaceutical discovery is a strategic national asset, and the risks surrounding R&D, according to a request for proposals that came with a June 30 deadline for submissions. Such overtures are hardly new, but this particular solicitation appears notable partly because the company is being very direct about seeking research that is designed to address specific points, rather than solicit topics that may — or may not — dovetail with corporate goals.
STAT+: Longevity startup Retro Biosciences says latest fundraising values it at $1.8 billion
Retro Biosciences, the longevity startup backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has raised more money at a $1.8 billion valuation, it announced Friday.
Retro has a big mission: Add 10 healthy years to the human lifespan. It is seeking to do that by using a variety of technologies, including in vivo gene therapies, cell replacement therapies, and other approaches to spur younger, healthier cells into aging tissues.
The company is currently running its first clinical trial — testing a pill designed to enhance the body’s ability to better clear out protein aggregates in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Retro CEO Joe Betts-LaCroix told the audience at STAT’s Breakthrough Summit West on Tuesday that the trial is going “super good” and that researchers haven’t seen any dose-limiting toxicities. He said he anticipates releasing some data from the trial around August.
STAT+: Closely watched experimental Parkinson’s drug fails key clinical trial
Biogen and Denali Therapeutics said Thursday that their experimental therapy for Parkinson’s disease failed to slow the degenerative brain disorder in a randomized trial, dealing a substantial blow to a scientific approach that stoked excitement among advocates and academics.
In the study, 648 adults with Parkinson’s were randomized to receive either a placebo or a pill targeting a protein called LRRK2. In 2004, researchers discovered that mutations in the LRRK2 gene can cause a rare, inherited form of Parkinson’s. And in 2018, another group of scientists showed that blocking the protein might actually benefit all patients with the disease.
Thursday’s results are a significant setback to the latter idea.
MyLungHealth, a Patient-Facing Education Tool for Lung Cancer Screening: Qualitative User-Centered Design Study
Background: Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with low-dose computed tomography screening demonstrating an approximately 20% reduction in mortality among high-risk individuals. Despite this benefit, screening prevalence remains suboptimal, with often less than 20% of eligible individuals reported to be up to date on screening. Shared decision-making is essential for effective lung cancer screening (LCS) implementation, with decision aids shown to enhance patient knowledge and engagement. Objective: The aim of this study is to identify patient preferences, concerns, and design considerations through qualitative evaluation of MyLungHealth, a personalized patient-facing educational tool for LCS integrated with electronic health records, and to describe how these findings informed iterative design modifications. Methods: We employed qualitative research methods through focus groups (n=34) and individual interviews (n=18) with individuals who met screening eligibility criteria. Participants were recruited from the University of Utah Health and New York University Langone Health between May and December 2023. Feedback was analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis principles. Results: Six themes were organized into three overarching domains. Domain A included interpretation and impact of personalized risk information: theme 1, difficulties interpreting risk information, and theme 2, varied impacts of risk information on motivation. Domain B included autonomy, privacy, and user interface preferences: theme 3, desire for autonomy and control over personal health data, and theme 4, preference for straightforward language and multiple information formats. Domain C included integration with clinical workflows and patient portal systems: theme 5, expectations for integration with health care provider workflows, and theme 6, mixed experiences with personal health record systems. These insights led to key design modifications, including simplified risk presentation, multimodal content delivery options (video and text), and implementation of electronic health record alerts for clinicians. Conclusions: The user-centered design process for MyLungHealth revealed important considerations for developing effective patient education tools for LCS. The findings highlighted the need for simplified risk presentation, personalized information delivery, and integration with clinical workflows. These findings underscore the importance of balancing comprehensive risk communication with user accessibility. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06338592; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06338592 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2024-087056
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Validity and Reliability of an Immersive Virtual Reality System for Multidimensional Assessment of Cervical Sensorimotor Control: Cross-Sectional Study
<strong>Background:</strong> Cervical sensorimotor control (SMC) is often disrupted in individuals with chronic neck pain, contributing to persistent symptoms and functional limitations. Traditional cervical SMC assessments are limited by complex setups, single-domain testing, and examiner dependency. Virtual reality (VR) technology offers a promising platform for multidimensional, standardized, and user-friendly assessment. <strong>Objective:</strong> This study aimed to develop and evaluate the validity and reliability of a VR-based system for assessing cervical SMC in healthy adults. <strong>Methods:</strong> A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in 30 healthy adults (aged 18-60 years). The custom-developed VR system (HP Reverb G2 Omnicept Edition, Unity engine) incorporated 5 SMC tests: cervical range of motion (ROM), joint position error (JPE), head-tilt response, figure of eight (FOE), and postural sway (PS). Test-retest reliability was assessed across 2 sessions, separated by 1 week, using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Concurrent validity was examined by comparing VR-based measures with gold standard optical motion capture or established clinical tools using Pearson correlation coefficients. <strong>Results:</strong> The VR system demonstrated good to excellent test-retest reliability across most outcome measures. The ICC for cervical ROM ranged from 0.851 to 0.968 across movement directions. The ICC for JPE in each direction ranged from 0.813 to 0.827. The ICC for the FOE test’s deviation frequency and task duration were 0.810 and 0.913, respectively. The ICC for the head-tilt response was 0.742 and ranged from 0.720 to 0.843 for PS under both visual conditions. The VR-based assessments for ROM, JPE, FOE, and PS showed strong correlations with reference measures (<i>r</i>=0.723-0.980), supporting concurrent validity. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> This VR-based assessment system provides a valid, reliable, and user-friendly multidimensional evaluation of cervical SMC. It offers a standardized, integrated, and clinically feasible alternative to conventional assessments, with potential applications in both clinical diagnostics and rehabilitation monitoring. <strong>Trial Registration:</strong> ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06474130; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06474130
Aspects of Quality of Life in Interstitial Lung Disease: Pilot Observational Cross-Sectional Study in a Single Center
Background: Quality of life (QOL) is an important aspect of every chronic disease, including interstitial lung disease (ILD). QOL is perceived as a significant patient-centered outcome. Objective: This study aims to identify factors correlating with different aspects of QOL in patients with various ILDs. Methods: We recruited 57 participants hospitalized in a tertiary care clinical center to this pilot observational cross-sectional study. These included 22 patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP), 19 patients with connective tissue disease–associated ILD (CTD-ILD), and 16 patients with interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF). The Saint George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) were used to assess QOL, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale – Modified Version (HADS-M) and Patient Health Questionnaire – 9 (PHQ-9) were used to evaluate depression severity. Functional parameters including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV), transfer lung capacity for carbon monoxide (TLCO), and 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) were assessed. Assessment of QOL was a secondary outcome measure in a multicenter prospective study aimed at determining the characteristics of Polish patients with interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features. Results: In each study group, positive correlations existed between the WHOQOL-BREF physical domain score and FEV % predicted value (=.001) and TLCO % predicted value (=.03). Regardless of diagnosis, higher depression, anxiety, and aggression scores (ie, worse mental health) correlated negatively with multiple domains of QOL measured using the WHOQOL-BREF. Predictors of QOL aspects varied in each study group. In the IPAF group, the TLCO % predicted value was a predictor of QOL expressed as the SGRQ total score (=.005). In the CTD-ILD group, short 6MWD (<.001) and high HADS-M aggression score (=.01) correlated with low QOL (expressed as a high SGRQ total score). In the IIP group, 6MWD (=.002) and PHQ-9 scores (<.001) were predictors for SGRQ symptoms score. Gender-based differences were revealed: In all study groups, men had higher scores in the psychological, social, and environmental domains of the WHOQOL-BREF, indicating better QOL, without a statistically significant difference in the physical domain scores between genders. Diagnosis-based differences in the psychological aspects of QOL were also revealed: The QOL psychological domain scores were significantly lower in the CTD-ILD and IPAF groups than in the IIP group, indicating worse QOL (=.01). Conclusions: QOL is a multifaceted issue with various factors impacting its assessment. 6MWD, TLCO predicted value, and worse functional ability might specifically impact QoL in ILD. Mental health is an important aspect of QOL in the ILD population, as patients with a chronic, potentially life-limiting disease may be more prone to developing depression or anxiety. Assessment of QOL should be taken into account in clinical decision-making and research on chronic diseases, as this patient-related outcome may impact therapeutic decisions and patient compliance. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03870828; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03870828
<![CDATA[Synendos launches a phase 2 trial of SYT-510, a first-in-class endocannabinoid modulator, aiming to ease generalized anxiety symptoms with improved safety and adherence.]]>