JMIR Research Protocols

Innovative approaches, such as virtual reality (VR)–based cognitive rehabilitation, are becoming essential to healthy aging.

Chronic ocular surface pain (COSP), occurring either in isolation or as part of numerous ocular conditions, such as dry eye syndrome, is a leading cause of eye care visits in the United States. Conventional treatments directed at the ocular surface—the perceived pain source—are often inadequate for pain relief. We hypothesize that some individuals with COSP are experiencing symptoms driven by central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction, similar to chronic overlapping pain conditions, rather than solely pathological problems in the eye. Some individuals with chronic overlapping pain conditions (eg, fibromyalgia) show evidence of nociplastic pain mechanisms, where the pain results from amplified or dysregulated CNS signaling and sensory processing. Although data exist suggesting the presence of nociplastic pain features in COSP, there is a need for comprehensive studies.

Emerging adults (ie, those aged 18 to 25 years) in the United States exhibit the poorest diet quality among all adult age groups, contributing to adverse health and academic outcomes. Existing nutrition education programs often overlook this population, particularly those without children.

Despite the widespread use of inhalation therapy, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) frequently experience suboptimal disease control due to medication nonadherence, improper inhaler use technique, and inappropriate device selection, which collectively impair health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Pharmacist-led interventions may help address these gaps. Interventions based on the information-motivation-behavioral skills model and supported by digital tools can improve adherence and self-management. This study evaluates the efficacy of a multifaceted pharmaceutical care intervention for COPD delivered through digital tool support.

Recent mpox outbreaks have underscored significant gaps in global preparedness for emerging and re-emerging infections. These outbreaks have disproportionately affected vulnerable and marginalized populations, exposing the weaknesses of health systems, particularly in resource-limited settings. The global spread of mpox beyond endemic African countries in 2022 and the emergence of a new Clade Ib in 2024 emphasize the pressing need for comprehensive and context-specific public health responses. We outline the protocol for an innovative multimethod qualitative study (VERDIQual [SARS-CoV-2 (and Mpox) Variants Evaluation in Pregnancy and Paediatrics Cohorts Qualitative Study]). This study is being conducted across 4 different countries and settings—Italy, Nigeria, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.

Individuals who undergo metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) are at increased risk for postoperative alcohol use disorder. Reducing postoperative alcohol use could prevent the development of alcohol use disorder; however, the factors leading to episodic alcohol use are not known.

While a healthy lifestyle at a young age benefits youth now and later in life, not all youth have equal access to resources and support for adopting a healthy lifestyle. Most youth health promotion programs target the general adolescent population without addressing underlying equity issues. Similarly, participatory research, a promising methodology for the development of health promotion programs and addressing health equity, leaves youth in more vulnerable positions, often underrepresented. This research addresses these gaps by focusing on participatory research for health promotion program design with youth in practical education (praktijkonderwijs).

Depression is a highly prevalent disorder. Yet, there is still a considerable treatment gap because of capacity issues across clinical services, which create barriers to access to effective psychological therapies. In addition, many individuals with depression do not seek treatment, and waiting lists for psychotherapy are typically very long. Blended psychotherapy, which combines online components and in-person sessions, may help bridge the treatment gap as a cost-effective intervention that complements other types of treatment for depression, as it may reduce therapist time and potentially lower the threshold for people to seek treatment for their depression.

There is current evidence that a proportion of healthcare services provided to patients do not align with best evidence. Nurse champion, defined as a nurse who either volunteers or is identified by management to facilitate or promote the implementation of an innovation (e.g., new knowledge or practice) is an important factor for implementation success. The existing literature describes healthcare champions’ attributes, roles, behaviours, the processes in which they might enable change, and their effectiveness at facilitating implementation. However, a more detailed exploration of the nurse champion concept is needed. Further, despite the prolific use of nurse champions in healthcare implementation, there is a gap in the literature pertaining to what nurse champion training initiatives exist, what competencies are important to be a nurse champion, and whether current training initiatives are effective in preparing nurse champions. Lastly, the extent to which equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) is considered in the nurse champion literature is unknown.

Australia’s healthcare system is under pressure. Paediatric referrals to public hospital emergency (ED) and outpatient departments (OP) have increased recently, overburdening emergency services and resulting in extended waiting times for non-urgent paediatric care. Children living outside metropolitan areas are disproportionately affected. Integrated models of care with paediatricians collaborating with general practitioners (GPs) in their practices, have been evaluated in the UK and Australia. Results are promising for quality of care improvement and reducing referrals to hospitals. GPs and paediatricians found the model feasible, knowledge- and confidence-boosting. In-person paediatric-GP support is resource intensive, limiting scalability and sustainability.

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.