Browse the peer-reviewed studies behind every Precision Therapeutics recommendation. Every DOI links to the original paper.
Mindfulness-based therapy was moderately effective for anxiety (g=0.63) and mood (g=0.59) across 39 studies (n=1,140).
Hofmann et al., 2010 · J Consulting & Clinical Psychology
Mindfulness-based therapy yielded moderate effects (g=0.53) across 209 studies (n=12,145), maintained at follow-up.
Khoury et al., 2013 · Clinical Psychology Review
Breathwork interventions reduced self-reported stress (g=-0.35) across 12 RCTs (n=785).
Fincham et al., 2023 · Scientific Reports
8 weeks of diaphragmatic breathing reduced salivary cortisol, decreased negative affect, and improved sustained attention.
Ma et al., 2017 · Frontiers in Psychology
CBT produced significant effects for depression (g=0.51-0.81), anxiety (g=0.51), and PTSD (g=1.27) across 375 trials.
JAMA Psychiatry, 2025 · JAMA Psychiatry
CBT for depression: moderate-to-large effects vs. care-as-usual (g=0.79) across 409 trials (n=52,702).
Cuijpers et al., 2023 · World Psychiatry
ACT had moderate effects (g=0.57) across mental and physical health in 39 RCTs (n=1,821).
A-Tjak et al., 2015 · Psychotherapy & Psychosomatics
Self-compassion interventions produced moderate effects on depression (g=0.66) and anxiety (g=0.57).
Ferrari et al., 2019 · Mindfulness
Self-compassion showed large inverse correlation with psychopathology (r=-0.54).
MacBeth & Gumley, 2012 · Clinical Psychology Review
Expressive writing frees cognitive load and improves task performance.
DiMenichi et al., 2019 · Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
Writing a to-do list before bed decreases sleep onset latency.
Scullin et al., 2018 · J Experimental Psychology
Expressive writing reduces distress across clinical populations (24 RCTs, n=1,558).
Qian et al., 2023 · J Advanced Nursing
Brief expressive writing improves test performance by freeing working memory.
Ramirez & Beilock, 2011 · Science
Behavioral activation has efficacy comparable to cognitive therapy for depression.
Cuijpers et al., 2007 · Clinical Psychology Review
Modified Mediterranean diet achieved 32% depression remission vs. 8% control (SMILES trial).
Jacka et al., 2017 · BMC Medicine
Dietary interventions significantly reduced depressive symptoms (g=0.275) across 16 RCTs (n=45,826).
Firth et al., 2019 · Psychosomatic Medicine
Mediterranean diet adherence reduced depression risk by 33% (n=2.6M).
Lassale et al., 2019 · Molecular Psychiatry
Inflammatory markers CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha significantly elevated in depression across 107 studies.
Osimo et al., 2020 · Molecular Psychiatry
Omega-3 supplementation had small-to-moderate antidepressant effects (g=0.28), EPA formulations more effective.
Liao et al., 2019 · Translational Psychiatry
Probiotic supplementation significantly reduced depression (SMD=-0.37) and anxiety (SMD=-0.39).
Liu et al., 2019 · BMJ Nutrition
High ultra-processed food intake associated with 53% increased depression risk.
Lane et al., 2024 · BMJ
Interoceptive awareness positively associated with emotional regulation and health outcomes.
Garfinkel & Critchley, 2013 · Biological Psychology
Exercise had a large antidepressant effect (SMD=-1.11) in adults with major depressive disorder.
Schuch et al., 2016 · J Psychiatric Research
High physical activity associated with 22% lower odds of incident depression (n=191,130).
Schuch et al., 2018 · Depression & Anxiety
2.5 hours/week brisk walking reduced depression risk by 25% (n=2,094,816).
Pearce et al., 2022 · JAMA Psychiatry
Physical activity had medium effects on depression (-0.43), anxiety (-0.42), distress (-0.60) across 1,039 trials.
Singh et al., 2023 · British J Sports Medicine
Post-meal walking of 2-5 minutes significantly reduces postprandial glucose spikes.
Buffey et al., 2022 · Sports Medicine
Brief walking breaks improve vascular function and reduce blood pressure in sedentary populations.
Dempsey et al., 2020 · Medicine & Science in Sports
Resistance training significantly reduced anxiety symptoms (d=0.31) across 16 RCTs (n=922).
Gordon et al., 2017 · Sports Medicine
Resistance training significantly reduced depressive symptoms (SMD=-0.66) across 33 RCTs.
Gordon et al., 2018 · JAMA Psychiatry
Yoga showed moderate efficacy for anxiety disorders (g=0.56) across 27 RCTs.
Cramer et al., 2018 · Depression & Anxiety
Targeted mobility work improves functional movement screening scores.
Kiesel et al., 2011 · J Strength & Conditioning Research
Myofascial self-release reduces perceived pain and improves range of motion.
Beardsley & Skarabot, 2015 · J Bodywork & Movement Therapies
Improving sleep led to medium improvements in mental health (g=-0.53), depression (g=-0.63), anxiety (g=-0.51).
Scott et al., 2021 · Sleep Medicine Reviews
U-shaped sleep-mortality: short sleep +12% risk, long sleep +30% risk. Optimal: 7 hours.
Cappuccio et al., 2010 · Sleep
CBT for insomnia (CBT-I) effective, maintaining improvements over pharmacotherapy long-term.
Trauer et al., 2015 · Annals of Internal Medicine
Sauna use 4-7x/week: 63% lower sudden cardiac death, 50% lower CVD mortality, 40% lower all-cause mortality.
Laukkanen et al., 2015 · JAMA Internal Medicine
HRV biofeedback produced large effects on stress and anxiety (g=0.81) across 24 studies.
Goessl et al., 2017 · Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback
Cyclic sighing reduces physiological arousal and improves positive affect more than mindfulness meditation.
Balban et al., 2023 · Cell Reports Medicine
Slow breathing at 6 breaths/min improves HRV and reduces cortisol across 30 studies.
Little, 2025 · Stress and Health
Yoga Nidra (NSDR) produces favorable shifts toward parasympathetic dominance.
Pence et al., 2012 · J Alternative & Complementary Medicine
Progressive muscle relaxation reduced anxiety symptoms across clinical populations.
Manzoni et al., 2008 · J Clinical Psychology
Nature exposure of 120 minutes/week associated with higher likelihood of good health.
White et al., 2019 · Scientific Reports
Allostatic load increases risk for cardiovascular disease, immune dysfunction, and cognitive decline.
McEwen, 1998 · Annals of NY Academy of Sciences
Forest bathing reduced cortisol, heart rate, blood pressure vs. urban walking.
Li et al., 2019 · Environmental Health & Preventive Medicine
Stronger social relationships associated with 50% increased survival (OR=1.50), comparable to quitting smoking.
Holt-Lunstad et al., 2010 · PLOS Medicine
Social isolation and loneliness each independently increase all-cause mortality by 26-29%.
Holt-Lunstad et al., 2015 · Perspectives on Psychological Science
Loneliness has moderate-to-large effects on mental health across 114 studies.
Leigh-Hunt et al., 2017 · Public Health
Social connection interventions reduce depression in young adults.
Hickey et al., 2024 · Social Psychiatry & Psychiatric Epidemiology
Voice-based interactions create stronger social bonds than text, with no increase in awkwardness.
Kumar & Epley, 2021 · J Experimental Psychology: General
Loving-kindness meditation produced moderate effects on positive emotions (d=0.42).
Fredrickson et al., 2008 · J Personality & Social Psychology
Volunteering reduced mortality by 24% in older adults.
Okun et al., 2013 · Psychology & Aging
Gratitude interventions improved well-being (g=0.31) across 38 RCTs.
Dickens, 2017 · J Positive Psychology
Purpose in life independently associated with 17% reduced all-cause mortality (n=136,265).
Alimujiang et al., 2019 · JAMA Network Open
Autonomous motivation consistently predicts well-being and behavioral persistence across 73 RCTs.
Ntoumanis et al., 2021 · Health Psychology Review
Self-monitoring alone produced significant behavior change (d=0.40) across 138 studies.
Harkin et al., 2016 · Psychological Bulletin
SDT interventions targeting autonomous motivation improve health behaviors (d=0.23) across 65 RCTs.
Sheeran et al., 2020 · J Consulting & Clinical Psychology
Autonomous motivation predicts well-being, persistence, and performance (foundational SDT).
Ryan & Deci, 2000 · American Psychologist
Activity scheduling produces large effects on mood (d=0.87) across 16 RCTs.
Cuijpers et al., 2007 · Clinical Psychology Review
Positive psychological interventions improved well-being (r=0.20) and reduced depression (r=0.23).
Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009 · J Clinical Psychology
Eudaimonic well-being showed stronger mortality reduction than hedonic well-being.
Steptoe et al., 2015 · The Lancet
Multi-domain intervention improved cognition 25%, executive function 83%, psychomotor speed 150% (FINGER trial).
Ngandu et al., 2015 · The Lancet
Wearable activity trackers increased PA by 1,800 steps/day with sustained effects.
Lancet Digital Health, 2022 · Lancet Digital Health