HealthDay (10/10, Solomon) reported a study found that “heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) can reduce negative affect, craving, and substance use among individuals in early recovery from substance use disorder (SUD).” The researchers “examined the efficacy of HRVB in the treatment of SUD. The analysis included 115 adults seeking treatment for SUD who were randomly assigned to receive treatment as usual with or without HRVB as a wearable smart patch.” They observed that “HRVB was associated with significant reductions in negative affect and craving over eight weeks, while the control group experienced increases in both negative affect and craving. There were no differences for positive affect.” Furthermore, HRVB was “associated with a significantly lower proportion of alcohol and other drug (AOD) use days compared with control. The within-person relationship between craving and later AOD use was moderated by HRVB treatment, with those receiving HRVB less likely to use AOD following craving.” The study was published in JAMA Psychiatry.

Related Links:

— “Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Improves Early Substance Use Disorder Recovery,”
Lori Solomon, HealthDay , October 10, 2025

Psychiatric News (10/10) reported a study found that a “self-help intervention delivered through a smartphone app effectively addressed depressive symptoms in patients with intellectual disabilities.” The free Happy app, “written in an easy-to-read format and incorporating colorful illustrations and audio features, aims to reduce depressive symptoms and improve self-esteem in individuals with intellectual disabilities though short exercises.” For the study, “researchers recruited 99 participants who were randomly assigned either to use the Happy app for four weeks or to a control group.” Compared with the control group, app users “showed reduced depressive symptoms, improved quality of life, and stabilized self-esteem.” Researchers noted that “among the app group, average GDS-LD scores dropped from 7.86 at baseline to 5.72 four weeks later,” while average GDS-LD scores in the control group “rose from 9.61 to 10.27 four weeks later.” In addition, “more than 90% of participants in the app group used it at least one to two times per week, and 28% used it five to seven times per week.” The study was published in JAMA Network Open.

Related Links:

— “Self-Help App Reduced Depressive Symptoms in People With Intellectual Disabilities, Psychiatric News , October 10, 2025

The Washington Post (10/13, Ovalle) reports a study published in Molecular Psychiatry found the “tendency to use cannabis is associated with genes linked to impulsive behavior, obesity, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, among other traits.” The research “explored the genetic traits of casual and frequent cannabis users in hopes of eventually identifying medications and other therapies to treat or prevent problematic marijuana use.” One gene associated with cannabis use identified by researchers “is involved in brain development and communication between neurons and has been linked to psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia.” Meanwhile, “another gene is involved with signaling between nerve cells, particularly in the brain, and has been linked in previous studies to impulsive personality, obesity and cancer metastasis. The gene has also been associated with frequency of cannabis use, researchers said.”

Related Links:

— “The Washington Post (requires login and subscription)

Psychiatric News (10/9) reports that a “team of more than 100 international experts in schizophrenia have collaborated in developing a consensus criteria defining relapse.” The recommendations, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, “include minimum and optimum requirements to meet the definition of relapse.” The experts “highlighted the following aspects of the criteria as most important: Use of field-tested, standardized rating instruments; baseline and prospective assessment of symptoms, including a verifiable diagnosis of schizophrenia and at least one acute exacerbation of illness in the past; a period of at least 12 weeks of relative stability with no more than moderate severity of symptoms against which a relapse can be measured;” and “symptom worsening of at least one week duration with an increase in severity measured as an absolute change (as opposed to a percentage change).”

Related Links:

— “International Schizophrenia Experts Develop Consensus Criteria for Relapse, Psychiatric News , October 9, 2025

The American Journal of Managed Care (10/9, Steinzor) reports a study found that “a self-guided smartphone app designed for individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs) significantly reduced depressive symptoms and improved self-esteem and quality of life.” For the study, adults with IDs and depressive symptoms “were randomly assigned to either an intervention group using a self-help smartphone app or a waiting list control group. The app was based primarily on cognitive behavioral therapy techniques. Both groups continued receiving their usual care, which could include psychosocial support and general health services.” In intention-to-treat analyses, researchers observed that “participants in the intervention group experienced a greater reduction in depressive symptoms compared with the control group. The intervention group also showed significant improvements in quality of life and self-esteem, with the latter demonstrating a large effect size. Of the 99 participants enrolled, 92 completed the postintervention assessment, and participants reported high satisfaction with the app.” The study was published in JAMA Network Open.

Related Links:

— “Smartphone App Reduces Depression in Adults With Intellectual Disabilities,”Pearl Steinzor, The American Journal of Managed Care , October 9, 2025