JMIR Research Protocols

Frontline professionals are routinely exposed to acute and cumulative occupational stressors that are associated with an elevated risk of psychological distress, burnout, and trauma-related difficulties. Digital mental health interventions offer scalable and flexible approaches to supporting psychological well-being in high-demand occupational environments. However, there remains limited empirical evidence regarding the feasibility and cultural adaptation of trauma-informed digital interventions across diverse international contexts.

Veterans have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer disease and related dementia (ADRD) due to military exposures such as traumatic brain injury. There is a lack of information on home- and community-based services (HCBS) use among Veterans who served in the post-9/11 era and their caregivers.

The global shortage of nursing and other health care professionals threatens the stability of health care systems. Generation Z (Gen Z), born between 1995 and 2010, represents a critical cohort for the future of the health care workforce. Educational institutions are adapting teaching strategies to address the learning preferences and expectations of this generation to teach effectively and prevent attrition. While some evidence exists regarding Gen Z nursing students, there is limited data on students in specialized health care fields, such as pediatric nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, radiology assistance, and paramedicine. Because students in these programs often focus on vulnerable patient populations and must navigate technologically complex environments, the development of targeted teaching methods should be informed by data from these cohorts.

Homicide is the third leading cause of death for US adolescents and the leading cause among Black youth. Youth violence also contributes to significant mental health burden and educational disruption, with the highest impact in neighborhoods with limited resources. Programs that address intersecting determinants, including social factors and limited economic opportunities, may reduce violence experiences and perpetration.

Chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNSLBP) is the most common chronic condition worldwide. Although recommended in several clinical guidelines, high-quality double-blind studies supporting the evidence for acupuncture remain limited.

Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is a well-established contributor to physical, psychological, and social well-being worldwide. Human touch also plays a vital role in life course health, yet opportunities for safe, consensual touch are often limited, particularly in LTPA settings. For gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (GBTQ) men, barriers to affirming LTPA spaces can make it particularly difficult to access such benefits. In response, community-based approaches that integrate touch are needed, alongside systematic evaluations of such strategies. “The Studio” (pseudonym), a membership-based wellness community, addresses this gap by offering touch-centered partner yoga and bodywork programs designed to support the holistic health of GBTQ men.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in men worldwide. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)–targeted radioligand therapy (RLT) has emerged as a theranostic strategy for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), with [Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 demonstrating survival benefits in the VISION trial. However, clinical responses are heterogeneous, and resistance mechanisms remain poorly understood. Liquid biopsy (LBx), particularly circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), may provide a minimally invasive approach to assess tumor heterogeneity, monitor response, and detect emerging resistance.

Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) are crucial in managing various cardiac conditions, but their monitoring poses considerable challenges. Algorithm-enabled remote monitoring of these devices has emerged as a promising solution to enhance patient outcomes and potentially reduce health care expenditures; however, its economic impact remains underexplored.

Hispanic people with HIV who smoke cigarettes experience unique stressors (eg, stigma), which contribute to health disparities. Anxiety sensitivity (AS) may worsen mood management problems, which are a leading barrier to smoking cessation. Interventions targeting AS can improve HIV-specific outcomes and smoking cessation. However, no prior research has culturally tailored an AS reduction program to improve quality of life among Hispanic people with HIV who smoke. The research team previously developed a mobile health (mHealth) intervention addressing AS reduction, smoking cessation, and HIV care management for Black people with HIV who smoke. Building on this work, this study represents a formative, exploratory phase to develop culturally tailored mHealth content for Hispanic people with HIV across 3 distinct regions (Mexico, Central America, and South America), which share many similarities but differ in some cultural and linguistic respects. This work will inform the refinement of materials for these groups and the future development of an integrated mHealth app for smoking, AS, and HIV among this population (ie, VITAL).

Digital games are increasingly influential in shaping public perceptions of mental health due to their interactive and narrative nature. While serious games designed for therapeutic use have been studied, less is known about how mental health challenges are portrayed in mainstream video games for leisure and the impact of these portrayals on players.

Veterans face an increased risk of common mental disorders when compared to civilian groups. However, veteran disengagement from treatment is a concern among health care providers, resulting in a need to explore novel ways of managing veteran mental health. Wearable devices, such as fitness trackers and smartwatches, have been explored for their potential to assess, monitor, and predict mental health outcomes in the general population. Such devices provide continuous data on metrics including physical activity, heart rate, sleep quality, and stress levels, offering a comprehensive view of the lifestyle and physiological factors influencing mental health.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains a leading cause of hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality worldwide, particularly among older adults with multimorbidity and frailty. Despite advances in antimicrobial therapy, clinical outcomes have improved little, highlighting the need for safe, inexpensive adjunctive treatments. Vitamin C plays a critical role in immune function, redox homeostasis, and endothelial integrity, all disrupted during acute infection. Hypovitaminosis C is common in hospitalized patients with CAP and has been associated with increased disease severity, longer length of stay (LOS), and worse outcomes. However, prior randomized trials of vitamin C have produced inconsistent results, often focusing on critically ill patients with sepsis, using short treatment durations, and discontinuing therapy abruptly.