by Marcus A. Henning  , Philippa Miskelly  , Marta Gil-Lacruz  , Gary Cheung  , Frederick Sundram  and Ruth Teh

Received: 11 June 2025;  Published: 29 October 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2504047

Across the globe, countries are facing an ageing boom, with the proportion of the older adult population growing compared to younger age groups because of increased life expectancy and declining birth rates. Along with the ageing boom, there is increased interest in the wellbeing of older adults. Healthy ageing and social frailty are two constructs that have emerged in studying older adults and their quality of life. In this paper, we critically review salient literature defining and describing healthy ageing and s [...]

by Antonella Sansone  , Peta Stapleton  , Alan Patching  and Zoe Lawrence

Received: 21 May 2025;  Published: 26 October 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2504046

Pregnancy and the postpartum period are times of significant transition for women, with changes in maternal physical and mental health. The relationship between a mother and her infant has been recognised as laying the foundation for later child development. There is considerable evidence that this early relationship is influenced by a woman’s wellbeing during pregnancy and in the early post-partum period. Mindfulness has been found to have positive health outcomes, primarily in reducing maternal stress, anxiety, a [...]

by Félix Neto  and Joana Neto

Received: 10 July 2025;  Published: 24 October 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2504045

International students represent a significant sojourner group. Increasing international student numbers makes it ever more relevant to understand the determinants of their psychological adaptation. This research investigates the question of how perceived cultural distance (PCD) impacts acculturation variables (social contact with host nationals and host national identity) and outcomes such as saudade and life satisfaction among African international students. The sample comprised 422 college students (195 from Ang [...]

by Gerhard Litscher

Received: 15 October 2025;  Published: 16 October 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2504044

The International Exchange of Professionals – Thematic Event in Life Science, held on October 15-17, 2025, in Nice, France, inaugurated a global congress series focused on frontier topics in biomedical sciences. This editorial summarizes the first day of the event, including the opening ceremony, keynote forum, and welcome banquet. With more than 150 participants from over 35 countries, the event created a platform for cross-disciplinary exchange and collaboration. Key themes included translational medicine, neurom [...]

by Jozélio Freire de Carvalho

Received: 10 September 2025;  Published: 10 October 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2504043

Transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a non-invasive method that regulates the autonomic nervous system via electrical stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve. Recent literature demonstrates that taVNS can decrease systemic inflammation, attenuate emotional disorders, modulate autonomic functions, and facilitate neural plasticity. This review examines the neurophysiological mechanisms of taVNS, including stimulation paradigms (short- and intensive, prolonged), and clinical findi [...]

by Daniel Szoke  and Holly Hazlett-Stevens

Received: 17 June 2025;  Published: 09 October 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2504042

Chronic stress increases a person’s vulnerability for physical and mental health conditions that take root in the “common soil” of inflammation. Dispositional, or trait, mindfulness has been identified as a protective factor against perceived stress. However, the theory that trait mindfulness can prospectively predict lower perceived stress in natural settings has yet to be thoroughly tested. The current study used a daily diary prospective design to observe perceived stress in response to difficult events. Partici [...]

by Kathryn Curtis  , Hance Clarke  , Daniel Santa Mina  , Gitte Bechsgaard  , Aliza Weinrib  , Jennifer Jones  , Darren Au  and Joel Katz

Received: 29 April 2025;  Published: 30 September 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2503041

The objective of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a specialized Iyengar-informed yoga intervention for individuals who experience chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP). This prospective, multi-wave pilot RCT was pre-registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03460028) and designed in accordance with the 2010 CONSORT statement. Participants (N = 21) with CPSP were out-patients or community members affiliated with a Toronto hospital. Participants were randomized to an 8-wee [...]

by Gerhard Litscher

Received: 24 September 2025;  Published: 25 September 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2503040

This personal report summarizes the key experiences and insights gained from attending the 2025 International Symposium organized by the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) and the Acupuncture Science Association of Sweden (ASAS), held in Stockholm. The event brought together international experts to explore recent advances in acupuncture research, clinical applications, education, and global integration. Despite notable challenges—including issues with AI-assisted real-time translation and [...]

by Tracie D. Parkinson  and Stephen D. Smith

Received: 11 March 2025;  Published: 23 September 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2503039

Hatha yoga is a common style of yoga used for physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual benefits, enhancing quality of life and well-being. The current study used a randomized control trial (RCT) to investigate whether completing an eight-week posture-based Hatha yoga program would lead to greater psychological benefits than taking part in an eight-week lecture series about the history and philosophy of yoga. Fifty-five participants (42 female, age range 18-32) completed five self-report measures both before and a [...]

by David Cawthorpe

Received: 04 March 2025;  Published: 11 September 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2503038

This paper presents a unifying transcultural perspective on human illness, health and wellbeing by integrating insights from cognitive psychology, existential psychotherapy, Zen philosophy, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and quantum consciousness theory. Kahneman and Tversky’s work on heuristics and biases highlights cognitive constraints shaping decision-making, while Yalom’s existential therapy explores fundamental struggles with death, freedom, and meaning. Watts’ Zen philosophy critiques the illusion of eg [...]