JMIR Research Protocols

Type 2 diabetes is the fastest-growing chronic condition in Australia, with higher prevalence in disadvantaged groups. Logan Healthy Living by UQ Health Care is a proof-of-concept, interprofessional allied health clinic focused on supporting people with and at risk of type 2 diabetes in Logan, a region in South East Queensland, Australia, with high levels of health inequity. Logan Healthy Living is supported by the Queensland Government through Health and Wellbeing Queensland and a broader multisectoral alliance including primary health care; tertiary hospital and health services; and government, community, and university sectors.

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada, responsible for 28.2% of all deaths. Based on surgical candidacy and disease status, both lung and esophageal cancer are treated through surgical resection by a thoracic surgeon. Although surgery contributes to improved outcomes, the 30-day postoperative mortality risks are as high as 10% and 2.8%, respectively. Evidence has shown that prehabilitation is a way in which patients can have improved postoperative outcomes. Prehabilitation is multimodal, often including some form of movement, nutrition, stress management, and smoking cessation. Given the complexity of the health care system, pragmatic trials are important methodological tools to assess internal validity and improve current practice under real-world conditions. Concurrently, using community resources is imperative to keep people active in their community and create sustainable programming.

Indigenous people do not necessarily view disability in the same way as do other groups. Indigenous concepts of disability are connected to their ancestral history, cultural customs, and environmental context. Some Indigenous languages do not contain a word equivalent to disability. Western approaches to disability seldom reflect the voices of Indigenous people.

Chronic heart failure has high morbidity and mortality, with approximately half of the patients dying within 5 years of diagnosis. Recent additions to the armamentarium of anti–heart failure therapies include angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs) and sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is). Both classes have demonstrated mortality and morbidity benefits. Although these new therapies have morbidity and mortality benefits, it is not known whether rapid initiation is beneficial when compared with the conventional, slower-stepped approach. Many clinicians have been taught that starting with low-dose therapies and gradually increasing the dose is a safe way of intensifying treatment regimens. Pharmacologically, it is rational to use a combination of drugs that target multiple pathological mechanisms, as there is potential synergism and better therapeutic outcomes. Theoretically, the quicker the right combinations are used, the more likely the beneficial effects will be experienced. However, rapid up-titration must be balanced with patient safety and tolerability.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in radiography practice is increasing. As this advanced technology becomes more embedded in radiography systems and clinical practice, the role of radiographers will evolve. In the context of these anticipated changes, it may be reasonable to expect modifications to the competencies and educational requirements of current and future practitioners to ensure successful AI adoption.

Individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism spectrum disorder (ID/A) sometimes require supportive services from direct support professionals (DSPs). The supportive care provided to individuals with ID/A by DSPs can vary from assistance with daily living activities to navigating society. The COVID-19 pandemic not only exacerbated poor outcomes for individuals with ID/A but also for DSPs, who report experiencing burnout in the aftermath of the pandemic. DSPs are critical to providing much-needed support to individuals with ID/A.

The study of supercentenarians (individuals aged 110 years or older) offers valuable insights into aging, longevity, and the factors contributing to exceptional lifespans. These individuals often exhibit extraordinary cognitive and physical performance, which can inform strategies to improve the health of the general population. Research on centenarians (individuals aged 100 years or older), semi-supercentenarians (individuals aged 105-109 years), and supercentenarians covers themes like genetic factors, microbiome, inflammation, diet, lifestyle, and psychological aspects. These studies often focus on various aspects of extreme longevity, using varied objectives and methodologies, highlighting the need for a comprehensive synthesis to map the breadth of research and identify gaps in understanding this demographic.

Mood and anxiety disorders are prevalent mental health diagnoses. Numerous studies have shown that measurement-based care, which is used to monitor patient symptoms, functioning, and treatment progress and help guide clinical decisions and collaboration on treatment goals, can improve outcomes in patients with these disorders. Including digital information regarding patients’ electronic communications and social media activity is an innovative approach to augmenting measurement-based care. Recent data indicate interest and willingness from both mental health clinicians and patients to share this type of digital information in treatment sessions. However, the clinical benefit of systematically doing this has been minimally evaluated.

Childhood obesity is increasing in Singapore, with most cases persisting into adulthood and leading to poor health outcomes. The current evidence for childhood obesity interventions shows a clear dose-response effect, where effectiveness improves with an increasing number of treatment hours. A minimum threshold of ≥26 hours over a 2- to 12-month period is required to achieve significant outcomes. The Kick Start Move Smart program is the first online community-based multidisciplinary program to treat pediatric obesity in Singapore. It has demonstrated feasibility and acceptability, with 70% of participants completing the recommended ≥26 hours of intervention. Preliminary data show significantly lower BMI and improved quality of life in participants compared to controls. Successful families are positive outliers who developed strategies for health in the context of an obesogenic environment. This positive outlier approach indicates that solutions to challenges that a community faces exist within certain individual members, and these strategies can be generalized and promoted to improve the health of others in the same community. A mobile health (mHealth) app targeting parents is a critical missing link in the currently available interventions to support parental self-management of childhood obesity. Using a combination of behavioral theory and user-centered design approaches is important for designing mHealth apps. One recommended framework is Integrate, Design, Assess, and Share (IDEAS), which aims to facilitate the development of more effective interventions by engaging perspectives from different stakeholders.

Colles fracture, a common wrist injury, often requires surgical intervention. After surgery, patients may experience persistent pain and reduced wrist function, potentially resulting in long-term disability. In clinical practice, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners frequently use Ru-Yi-Jin-Huang-Saan (RYJHS) to treat such patients in Taiwan. RYJHS is a traditional Chinese herbal formula with a history spanning centuries, primarily used topically for the treatment of bone fractures and the promotion of healing. However, there is currently a lack of substantial clinical evidence supporting its efficacy in the management of postsurgical Colles fractures. To the best of our knowledge, there are no studies evaluating the clinical effectiveness of RYJHS.

In the United States, the landscape of unpaid care delivery is both challenging and complex, with millions of individuals undertaking the vital role of helping families (broadly defined) manage their health care and well-being. This includes 48 million caregivers of adults, 42 million of whom are caregivers of adults aged 50 years or older. These family care partners provide critical and often daily support for tasks such as dressing and bathing, as well as managing medications, medical equipment, appointments, and follow-up care plans.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound global impact, leading to a range of persistent sequelae referred to as post–COVID-19 condition or “long COVID” that continue to affect patients worldwide. Among these sequelae, post–COVID-19 insomnia (PCI) has emerged as a significant issue. Conventional treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and pharmacological interventions, face limitations such as variable efficacy, potential side effects, and substantial costs. Recently, acupuncture has gained traction due to its efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and safety profile.