Topic
Multi-arm randomized trial design with active controls and longitudinal follow-up as applied to psychological interventions.
Catherine Demers and colleagues report a 5% hippocampal difference in infants whose mothers received psychotherapy for prenatal depression, versus usual care. Randomization covers the therapy-to-brain step only; the tie to infant emotion is an association.
Reality
A randomized trial in 110 Honduran villages found that treated people dropped untreated advice contacts at low coverage and added ties at high coverage. The Nature analysis of 8,331 people says the rewiring generally lasted three years after the 22-month program ended.
Reality
Five randomized trials run during pandemic school closures found that a weekly 20-minute phone tutorial produced basic math gains in every country tested, while text messages alone gave mixed results across the same settings.
Reality
In a randomized week-long trial at two Chinese hospitals, 72% of the singing group halved their belches versus 39% on diaphragmatic breathing. A London gastroenterologist is not persuaded.
Reality
A Polish randomised trial reports lasting drops in fear, guilt and physiological stress after two weeks of imagery therapy. Every arm improved, including the control, which is the interesting problem.
Reality