JMIR Research Protocols

Acute infectious symptoms are a leading cause of pediatric emergency department visits in Canada, many of which are low acuity and could be safely managed at home. Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots offer a promising avenue for delivering accessible, evidence-based guidance to support families in managing these symptoms.

Innovative disease management strategies have significantly improved clinical outcomes in inflammatory arthritis (IA). Although more than 80% of patients achieve low disease activity (LDA), the disease continues to exert a considerable impact on patients’ lives. For these patients with IA, a lifestyle intervention program may add value by reducing inflammatory activity, potentially alleviating the disease burden and the risk of a flare.

About 1 in 3 individuals will sustain a secondary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury within 24 months of returning to sport after ACL reconstruction (ACLR). While aberrant biomechanics and poor quadriceps strength have been associated with secondary ACL injury risk, unresolved injury-related fear has also been identified as a potential risk factor for additional ACL injuries in previously high-functioning, physically active populations. Virtual reality mindfulness meditation (VRMM) is a psychological intervention that may reduce injury-related fear and improve an individual’s ability to stay in the present moment during stressful situations such as sport. There is a critical need to identify whether VRMM is a feasible intervention that could be implemented to address injury-related fear and reduce secondary ACL injury risk.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women. Risk factors can be compounded by hormonal changes, especially during the menopause transition. Positive health promotion through a behavioral change strategy may be the most effective approach to reducing CVD mortality and morbidity.

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a frequent and serious complication in older surgical patients, characterized by acute cognitive dysfunction and fluctuating levels of consciousness. POD is associated with prolonged hospitalization, long-term cognitive decline, reduced quality of life, and increased mortality. Despite its clinical relevance, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain poorly understood, and reliable biomarkers for early prediction and prevention are lacking.

Older adults living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs), particularly in regional and rural areas, experience a high burden of untreated dental caries, tooth sensitivity, and oral pain. Workforce shortages, limited access to dental services, and competing health priorities make the delivery of timely oral health care challenging in these settings. Poor oral health contributes to pain, impaired nutrition, reduced quality of life, and increased health service use. There is an urgent need for context-appropriate, accessible, and cost-effective interventions for RACF residents. Aqueous silver fluoride (AgF), a minimally invasive topical agent with caries-arresting and desensitizing properties, offers a pragmatic approach suitable for aged care settings.

In Burkina Faso, the Minimal Digital Ecosystem (MDE)—a suite of 9 integrated digital tools—was introduced to support key health system functions, including care delivery, financial management, medication oversight, governance, and data use. However, evidence regarding the maturity of its real-world implementation and the determinants influencing its adoption remains scarce.

Postpartum hypertension defined as elevated blood pressure after childbirth, affects approximately 20% of women after delivery. Digital health interventions that include remote monitoring therefore, present an important opportunity to facilitate regular blood pressure assessment in this high-risk population.

Among university students, the experience of academic stress is associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression. Single-session interventions (SSIs) are structured and accessible self-guided interventions, often delivered digitally, that integrate elements of empirically supported treatments. Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) has been shown to be beneficial in alleviating stress, anxiety, and depression. However, the effectiveness of CFT (1) in the academic context, and (2) when delivered in brief digital formats, has not yet been tested.

Hip and knee pain are leading contributors to disability, reduced quality of life, and health care burden in Canada. Primary care is often the first point of contact for patients with these conditions, yet timely and appropriate care is limited due to provider shortages and system pressures. Interest is growing in interprofessional primary care models that integrate physiotherapists to enhance care delivery for musculoskeletal conditions such as hip and knee pain.

Noncommunicable diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. Cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, cancer, and type 2 diabetes share common risk factors that can be addressed: physical activity, a healthy diet, and avoiding smoking and alcohol. The Watching the Risk Factors (WARIFA) mobile health app was created for general health awareness and to support users in adopting healthier behaviors, as well as to support type 1 diabetes (T1D) self-management.

Natural environments are associated with improved cognitive functioning and psychological well-being, potentially through attentional restoration and stress reduction. Virtual reality (VR) offers an accessible way to simulate natural settings; however, it remains unclear whether VR nature engages the brain and cognition in the same way as real nature, particularly in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), who show atypical neural oscillations and heightened sensitivity to environmental demands.