JMIR Research Protocols

Cognitive frailty, characterized by the coexistence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and physical frailty in the absence of dementia or other neurodegenerative diseases, is a significant risk factor for dementia and functional decline in older adults. Although Du-moxibustion has shown potential benefits in improving cognitive frailty, the effect of spine-pinching therapy remains underexplored.

Medical complications of pregnancy provide a window into a woman’s future health risk. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) affect one in ten pregnant women and elevate the risk for women of experiencing long-term health complications within five years of the affected pregnancy, continuing lifelong. These risks include a doubled to tripled risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), a doubled risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, and five-to-ten-fold risk of developing chronic kidney disease. Early assessment and intervention following HDP are therefore crucial to improving women’s life-course health trajectory, as well as outcomes for any subsequent pregnancies. However, previous research has shown that Australian women and their primary healthcare providers are largely unaware of ongoing health risks and the necessary follow-up screening and assessments. Primary care providers also receive inadequate hospital-to-community handover and support to promote preventive health measures to women following pregnancy complications. Consequently, post-HDP care remains insufficient for optimising long-term health.

Intensive therapies based on motor skill learning have been widely used in stroke rehabilitation for improving upper extremity abilities, demonstrating significant improvements in arm function and daily life activities. Based on the same therapeutic principles of motor skill learning, Hand and Arm Bimanual Intensive Therapy Including Lower Extremities (HABIT-ILE) was developed focusing on bimanual coordination and constant concomitant stimulation of trunk control and lower extremities. However, implementation of such high dosage interventions in stroke rehabilitation might face barriers due to limited accessibility, and high resource requirements. Delivering HABIT-ILE@home via telerehabilitation may reduce logistical barriers while maintaining efficacy. In addition, the added value of a 9-week specific follow-up program will be tested after high dosage interventions.

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) applies a low-intensity sinusoidal electrical current through electrodes placed on the scalp to boost the brain’s own oscillation by way of entrainment. When a single frequency is applied, this exogenous oscillation synchronizes with the brain’s endogenous frequency. Gamma frequency synchrony stands out as a binding mechanism for integrating disparate brain networks, mediating perception, cognition, and memory, typically disturbed in schizophrenia. The treatment of schizophrenia includes medication and cognitive behavioral therapy for psychosis (CBTp). We are adding tACS to these usual treatments, targeting gamma oscillation stimulation, to augment the CBTp efficacy in people living with schizophrenia.

The increasing prevalence of severe obesity among youth and the early onset of comorbidities highlight the urgent need for effective solutions to support behavior and lifestyle changes. Motivational interviewing (MI), a client-centered counseling technique, has shown promise in improving obesity-related outcomes and is now recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics as a key component of behavioral interventions for children with overweight and obesity.

Tuberculosis (TB) in children is one of the significant public health crises in Somalia. This issue is aggravated by the fact that only 36.7% of children aged 12-23 months received the Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine in Somalia, which helps prevent TB-disseminated diseases. Among the major factors that contribute to the poor BCG uptake and TB prevention practices include the lack of maternal knowledge, negative attitude, and poor self-efficacy towards BCG vaccine and TB prevention practices. As such, pregnant women play a vital role in ensuring that their children receive routine BCG vaccine and accurate TB prevention practices.

Online child sexual abuse and exploitation have become a global issue affecting the health and well-being of children and adolescents. Unlike traditional forms of sexual abuse and exploitation, online sexual abuse presents unique challenges due to the complexity of the situations involved. Parents play a crucial role as the first line of defense in preventing these incidents, yet the barriers they encounter have not been thoroughly explored.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have become the leading cause of mortality worldwide. NCDs account for 89% of all deaths in the United States and cost the US economy over 47 trillion dollars in direct and indirect expenses. NCDs also account for the main cause of disability worldwide and the incidence is increasing. The leading NCDs include diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, and mental health conditions. Outside of aging, NCDs are caused by modifiable behavioral risk factors that include smoking, drug and alcohol abuse, unhealthy diet, obesity and inadequate physical activity and treatment must be directed to all of these domains.

Studies suggest that 40%-65% of stroke survivors develop chronic post-stroke pain (CPSP), which severely affects their quality of life and mental health. Empirical evidence suggests that existing treatments often fall short, underscoring the need for innovative, integrative interventions. Virtual Reality (VR) seems to provide valuable tools in stroke rehabilitation. Also, contextual-behavioural psychological approaches, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), offer promising pain management and mental health resources, which seem to be feasible in VR formats. However, their combined application in CPSP remains unexplored.

Informal care is a social challenge that impacts the daily life and Quality of Life (QoL) of caregivers. While care has evidence of positive aspects, it can also have negative impacts on mental, physical, economic, and social well-being. Nowadays, health, social, and care systems for informal caregivers are needed, from a person-centered perspective, to promote their QoL, health, and empowerment. Technology is a promising tool to provide personalized services.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease characterized by joint pain, stiffness, and dysfunctional impairment, imposing a substantial medical burden annually. Tuina, a widely utilized non-invasive traditional Chinese medicine therapy commonly employed for KOA, has been used for the management of this condition; however, its additive benefit to acupuncture remains unclear.

Falls are the primary cause of fatal and non-fatal accidental injuries in older adults. The World Falls Prevention Guidelines recommend balance-challenging, functional exercise programmes as a key strategy for falls prevention but access, uptake and adherence to these programmes in community settings remain suboptimal. Keep-On-Keep-Up (KOKU), a digital, National Health Service (NHS) approved programme was co-developed with older adults and therapists, to provide progressive, evidence-based exercises and to raise awareness of fall prevention strategies.