JMIR Research Protocols

Both benign and malignant tumors in neonates frequently necessitate invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, exposing infants to significant pain and stress during critical periods of brain development. Procedural stress can disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, affect synaptic pruning, and alter myelination, potentially leading to long-term cognitive and neurodevelopmental impairments. While standard medical care remains the cornerstone of management, there is growing interest in multimodal interventions—including integrative therapies, physiotherapy, and non-pharmacological approaches such as massage, music therapy, kangaroo care, and sensory stimulation—to mitigate discomfort and support neurodevelopmental outcomes

Hepatic cirrhosis is a complex condition leading to multiple complications, including ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, bleeding varices, and eventually liver failure. Patients with diabetes mellitus or insulin resistance are more likely to fail treatment, leading to the worsening of hepatic fibrosis. SGLT-2 inhibitors are a new class of drugs with the potential for use in cirrhotic ascites. This scoping review will focus on the response of refractory ascites from the addition of SGLT2 inhibitors.

Strong evidence highlights that sufficient physical activity (PA) has multiple benefits for people living with and beyond cancer. However, many are not meeting PA recommendations. APPROACH is a trial of a theory-driven, app-based behavioral support intervention to promote brisk walking after breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer.

Chinese patent ethnomedicines(CPEs), a form of traditional Chinese patent medicine, originate from the traditional medicines of ethnic minorities and are widely used in clinical practice. However, existing evidence for their application remains unclear. Therefore, to address this gap, this comprehensive scoping review will be performed to provide an overview of the available evidence from Chinese patent ethnomedicine preparations.

Constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) and functional constipation (FC) have significant personal, healthcare, and social impacts, affecting patients’ quality of life. Treatment for these conditions is challenging. While green kiwifruit is a promising natural alternative to laxatives, its effectiveness in managing abdominal pain and the underlying mechanism of action is yet to be substantiated.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity among US adults, including recurrent emergency department (ED) visits and unplanned hospital admissions. Despite this, the transition of care (TOC) from the inpatient to outpatient setting remains under-studied.

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) are a group of highly heterogeneous myeloid clonal diseases. Anemia is the most common clinical symptom, yet its pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. Preliminary evidence suggests an increase in macrophage infiltration and iron load in the bone marrow of patients with an MDS, alongside elevated interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). The Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)–nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2)–antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway is a critical regulator of cellular antioxidant responses and inflammation, but its role in mediating the effects of iron overload in the microenvironment of patients with an MDS remains unclear.

Physical inactivity is pervasive and prevalent in the United States, particularly among women of low socioeconomic position and women with children. Structural and social barriers make active leisure time a rare commodity, creating a pressing health issue because physical inactivity increases the risk of chronic diseases and poor health.

Although digital interventions have been widely used in chronic pain management, evidence on their effectiveness has demonstrated heterogeneity. They have low retention rates, which are exacerbated by a lack of feedback, social interaction, and engaging content, contributing to boredom and higher attrition. Gamification offers a possibility to overcome these barriers and enhance user motivation and engagement.

In many developed countries, 5-10 children per million of the age-related population start kidney replacement therapy [KRT] (to encompass both dialysis (peritoneal dialysis [PD] and hemodialysis [HD]), and kidney transplantation [KT]) for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). After PD is introduced, or after KT, self-care at home typically becomes the main focus. Providing support for each developmental stage and transition period in the treatment process from dialysis to KT is an urgent issue.

Obesity represents a significant public health challenge in the United States particularly among Latino/a/x/e communities and those in under-resourced settings. Virtual Reality (VR) is a new and innovative technology that can promote physical activity and has the potential to overcome some structural barriers. However, there are few studies that explore the acceptability of using this new technology among high-risk groups in under-resourced settings.

Post-stroke delirium (PSD) is a severe complication in acute stroke patients and is characterized by rapid onset fluctuating symptoms, which affect multiple domains (cognition, motor system, sleep-wake cycle). Similar to other types of delirium, PSD is associated with longer hospitalization, higher mortality and a higher disability rate. Behavioral studies on cognitive functioning showed significantly poorer cognitive outcomes in both PSD and non-PSD stroke patients compared to healthy controls. Thus, the distinction between “stroke-related” and “PSD-related” cognitive impairments remains unclear. A frequently affected and highly disabling cognitive domain are memory functions. However, imaging studies, particularly task-based functional MRI studies on PSD, are currently scarce and represent a significant gap in the existing literature.