Medical Bulletin 5/June/2025

Here are the top medical news for the day:

Walks in the Park May Ease Chronic Back Pain

A study published in the Journal of Pain has found that spending time in natural environments can significantly help people manage chronic lower back pain. The study highlights the mental and physical benefits of connecting with nature and suggests it could be a valuable, holistic component of chronic pain management.

Back pain has become a common complaint in modern society, particularly among individuals leading sedentary lifestyles or working in desk-based jobs.

To explore the impact of nature on chronic pain, researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 10 individuals who had been living with chronic lower back pain for periods ranging from five to 38 years. Participants shared their experiences of engaging with nature and how it influenced their pain and overall well-being.

According to the findings, spending time in green spaces helped participants cope by providing a sense of escapism, a connection to others, and opportunities for gentle physical activity. The calming effects of fresh air, natural sounds, and peaceful surroundings contributed to reduced stress and anxiety associated with their pain. Participants reported feeling more socially connected and distracted from their discomfort when in nature.

Dr. Sam Hughes, senior author and lecturer in pain neuroscience at the University of Exeter, emphasized accessibility concerns, said, “This study addresses important questions about health equity and the significant physical barriers faced by people living with chronic pain in accessing natural spaces. Many individuals encounter substantial obstacles, including uneven terrain, limited seating, or difficulties leaving their homes, making it challenging for them to benefit from the restorative properties of nature. We think that future research could use immersive technologies, such as virtual reality, to help overcome these barriers, which would enable individuals to experience the benefits of nature without needing to physically navigate inaccessible environments. This could significantly enhance inclusivity and accessibility in chronic pain management strategies in the future.”

In conclusion, this research opens the door to integrating natural and even virtual environments into chronic pain management, offering a more inclusive and holistic approach to care.

Reference: “Being away from everything”: Exploring the importance of access to nature for individuals living with chronic low back pain, Smith, Alexander et al., The Journal of Pain, Volume 33, 105440

Can Cutting Calories Increase Risk of Depressive Symptoms?

Following a low-calorie diet may be linked to an increased risk of depressive symptoms, particularly in men and those who are overweight, according to new research published in the open-access journal BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health. The study draws attention to the mental health risks associated with restrictive diets that are commonly followed for weight loss or medical reasons.

For the study, researchers analysed data from 28,525 adults who participated in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2007 and 2018. All participants had completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, a validated tool used to assess depressive symptoms.

The study found that participants on calorie-restrictive diets had PHQ-9 scores that were 0.29 points higher than those not on any specific diet. Among overweight individuals, the scores were even higher—up to 0.46 points with calorie restriction and 0.61 with nutrient-restrictive diets. These dietary patterns were also associated with elevated cognitive-affective and somatic symptom scores, particularly among men.

The findings appear to contradict earlier clinical trials that suggested low-calorie diets improve mood. However, researchers explained that “this discrepancy may arise because prior studies were primarily randomised controlled trials (RCTs) where participants adhered to carefully designed diets ensuring balanced nutrient intake. In contrast, real-life calorie-restricted diets and obesity often result in nutritional deficiencies and induce physiological stress, which can exacerbate depressive symptomatology including cognitive-affective symptoms.” Another possible explanation might be a failure to lose weight or weight cycling—losing weight and then putting it back on, they suggest.

They also noted gender differences, suggesting that men’s higher nutritional needs, particularly for glucose and omega-3 fatty acids, may explain their increased vulnerability to mood disturbances from restrictive diets.

Reference: Gabriella Menniti, Shakila Meshkat, Qiaowei Lin, Wendy Lou, Amy Reichelt, Venkat Bhat - Mental health consequences of dietary restriction: increased depressive symptoms in biological men and populations with elevated BMI: BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health 2025;:bmjnph-2025-001167.

AI vs. Clinicians: Study Explores the Future of Diagnosing in Healthcare

A study from the University of Maine has compared the diagnostic abilities of artificial intelligence (AI) models with those of human clinicians, shedding light on the strengths and limitations of both. Published in the Journal of Health Organization and Management, the study examined over 7,000 anonymized medical queries from the U.S. and Australia, offering insights into how AI could support but not replace healthcare professionals in a strained system.

The researchers assessed how both AI and clinicians responded to various medical questions, categorizing them into factual, procedural, and emotional or interpretive queries. The results showed that AI performed well on objective tasks, with high alignment to expert standards for factual and procedural information. However, the technology often faltered when addressing complex “why” and “how” questions, particularly those requiring emotional nuance or context.

Inconsistencies also emerged when the same questions were posed across multiple sessions, raising concerns about reliability. “This isn’t about replacing doctors and nurses,” said C. Matt Graham, author of the study and associate professor of information systems and security management at the Maine Business School. “It’s about augmenting their abilities. AI can be a second set of eyes; it can help clinicians sift through mountains of data, recognize patterns and offer evidence-based recommendations in real time.”

Importantly, AI responses often lacked the empathy and human connection vital to effective patient care. “Healthcare professionals offer healing that is grounded in human connection, through sight, touch, presence and communication — experiences that AI cannot replicate,” said Kelley Strout, associate professor of UMaine’s School of Nursing, who was not involved in the study. “The synergy between AI and clinicians’ judgment, compassion and application of evidence-based practice has the potential to transform healthcare systems but only if accompanied by rigorous standards, ethical frameworks and safeguards to monitor for errors and unintended consequences.”

While AI offers potential relief, the authors caution against unchecked deployment, citing the need for oversight, ethical safeguards, and inclusivity in design.

Reference: Graham, C.M. (2025), "Artificial intelligence vs human clinicians: a comparative analysis of complex medical query handling across the USA and Australia", Journal of Health Organization and Management, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHOM-02-2025-0100