Fig 1: Changes in DASS-21 composite scores (a) and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor—BDNF (b) from Week 0 to Week 8 by treatment group. Both groups showed significant reductions in mood symptoms over time (p < 0.001) and an increase in serum BDNF, but not to a statistically significant degree, with no significant group × time interactions for either outcome (p > 0.28), indicating similar changes across the intervention and placebo groups. Values represent means ± standard deviations (SD).