JMIR Research Protocols

Efforts in mental health research have long focused on the care and long-term outcomes of mental disorders. More recently, a shift in focus has occurred toward mental health promotion and prevention. One priority target population for promotion and prevention is youth with climate change–related distress. In light of the real-world threat of climate change, adaptive emotion regulation and engagement in meaningful action are 2 important strategies for promoting mental health. Ecological momentary interventions (EMIs) allow for the delivery of accessible interventions for young people with climate change–related distress, but evidence on their feasibility or beneficial effects is currently lacking.

Digital health interventions, delivered directly to parents’ mobile phones, could transform the delivery of health care during the first 2000 days of a child’s life. Healthy Beginnings for Hunter New England Kids (HB4HNEKids) is an innovative SMS text message–based model of care that provides age-and-stage relevant preventative health information to parents during the first 2000 days. While HB4HNEKids demonstrates promise for population-wide scale-up, the optimal method for achieving universal, cost-efficient, and equitable scale-up remains unclear.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is highly prevalent in the United States and represents a significant public health challenge. Telehealth interventions have shown promise for improving T2DM outcomes, but their effectiveness is often limited by disparities in digital literacy and access, especially in rural areas. To address this gap, we propose an innovative, individualized lifestyle modification intervention delivered via phone call to support glycemic control.

Sporadic cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) has a heterogeneous underlying pathology, and current SVD magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers do not accurately capture this heterogeneity. Novel ultrahigh-field (7T) brain MRI markers provide a window of opportunity to study early changes and potential determinants of SVD. White matter hyperintensity (WMH) shape is a relatively novel MRI marker of SVD and has shown prognostic potential. However, the exact microstructural changes within or surrounding WMHs or potential causes related to WMH shape variations are unknown. Furthermore, impaired brain clearance via the recently discovered brain clearance system may be another early change or potential cause of SVD.

Family caregivers of individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs) often experience stress, anxiety, and depression; however, few evidence-based interventions are designed to improve their mental well-being. To address this gap, we developed an acceptance and commitment training (ACT) group–based workshop cofacilitated by trained caregivers and clinicians (Caring for the Caregiver Acceptance and Commitment Training [CC-ACT]).

Interdental spaces are particularly susceptible to biofilm accumulation and gingival inflammation, which contribute to periodontal diseases and their systemic associations. While interdental brushes (IDBs) are recognized as the most effective method of interdental cleaning, their efficacy depends on proper adaptation to the interdental space. Calibration with a colorimetric probe may enhance their effectiveness and comfort. However, evidence directly comparing calibrated and non-calibrated IDBs, especially in young adults—a key target group for preventive strategies—remains limited. The HIJA (Hygiene of Interdental Junctions in Adults) trial was designed to address this gap.

In Uganda, 22% of all women of reproductive age have an unmet need for family planning services. Access to contraceptive services, especially long-term reversible contraceptives like implants remains a challenge. The numbers of properly trained health providers are also not sufficient to address the needs for contraception. The Uganda Ministry of Health implemented a community-based implant provision pilot project where community health extension workers (CHEWs) were trained and accredited to insert implants at community level.

Breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy experience significant adverse effects, including fatigue, nausea, and taste alterations, leading to malnutrition in 40% of patients. Traditional nutritional counseling has shown limited effectiveness in addressing these challenges during treatment.

A high intake of dietary fiber has been shown to improve glycemic control and decrease hyperinsulinemia in people living with Type 2 diabetes (T2D). T2D patients in Japan consume less than the recommended amount of fiber. Based on findings from a formative study, we developed an AI-powered mobile health (mHealth) intervention, FiberMore, that uses the Theory of Planned Behavior to help T2D patients increase their dietary fiber intake by enhancing their perceived behavioral control and attitude toward fiber consumption.

Chronic constipation is a prevalent and often underestimated gastrointestinal disorder that significantly affects quality of life, particularly among women and older adults. In Spain, it is estimated to affect between 12% and 20% of the population, contributing to increased healthcare visits, economic costs, and medication dependency. Although pharmacological treatments such as laxatives are widely used, they often offer only temporary relief and may lead to adverse effects or dependency. There is growing interest in non-pharmacological interventions that address the root behavioural and functional causes of constipation, such as dietary habits, physical inactivity, and impaired defecation techniques. However, evidence regarding the effectiveness of such approaches, especially within Primary Care settings, remains limited.

Recently, perioperative care has gained attention for its ability to improve outcomes, reduce costs, and enhance patient satisfaction, especially when multidisciplinary support is involved. Despite these benefits, patient compliance remains low due to limited engagement in program design and practical barriers such as transportation, particularly for older adults. Co-designed digital health solutions offer a promising, scalable approach to delivering personalized, accessible perioperative care, with emerging evidence supporting their feasibility and effectiveness in patients who undergo joint replacement.

Filtered cigarettes and vaped nicotine and cannabis negatively affect health and create nonbiodegradable, toxic waste from tobacco, e-cigarette, and cannabis waste (TECW). Creating awareness and action to address this public health issue requires expanded knowledge and understanding of TECW harms and more engagement with regulatory policies to reduce tobacco and cannabis use. This is the first study testing an intervention to modify TECW knowledge, perceptions, and behavior, including use of an innovative digital TECW tracking tool.