JMIR Research Protocols

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a key predictor of cardiovascular and other health-related diseases in individuals with obesity. CRF is most accurately assessed through maximal exercise testing with advanced gas-analysis equipment (maximum volume of oxygen [VO]); however, this approach is time-consuming, costly, and requires specialized expertise. Therefore, submaximal tests and self-reported physical activity levels have been used to develop predictive algorithms to estimate CRF, yet they often performed poorly in individuals with low CRF levels, such as patients with obesity, because they are predominantly developed using data from healthy populations. Studies using machine learning (ML) models based on VO data from patients with obesity appear to be lacking in the literature. ML models based on routinely collected clinical measures may offer a more practical and potentially accurate way to estimate CRF, reducing time, costs, and clinical burden.

Visual impairment (VI) affects more than 600 million people globally and significantly reduces quality of life. In Singapore, 20% of adults aged 60 years and older (~180,000 people) have VI, a figure expected to double by 2030 due to population aging. While about half of VI cases are due to uncorrected refractive errors, the rest are caused by age-related diseases. The current traditional screening model is a 2-visit, labor-intensive approach with low follow-up rates and frequent unnecessary referrals. Although AI for Disease-related Visual Impairment Screening Using Retinal Imaging, the deep learning model in this study, has demonstrated strong diagnostic performance in retrospective datasets (area under the curve=0.942), key aspects of real-world implementation such as operational efficiency, patient acceptability, workflow feasibility, and cost remain insufficiently studied. As a result, real-world evidence directly comparing artificial intelligence (AI)–assisted and traditional screening pathways is limited.

Systems psychodynamics provide valuable insights into organizational development. However, to date, instruments that can reliably assess organizations based on systems psychodynamic theories are scarce. The Systematic Multidimensional Organizational Assessment (SyMOA) is a qualitative instrument that provides an in-depth systems psychodynamic analysis of organizational dynamics using a semistructured interview guide. To complement the method, a standardized, quantitative self-assessment questionnaire will be developed and validated.

Sleep is increasingly recognized as a fundamental determinant of health and brain function. Sleep difficulties are common in older adults, with a substantial proportion reporting problems initiating or maintaining sleep, which can negatively affect mental and physical health, cognitive function, and quality of life. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the gold-standard treatment for insomnia disorder; however, its reach is limited due to resource demands and a shortage of professionals that can deliver it. Digitally delivered CBT-I via eHealth platforms increases accessibility and has demonstrable effects but remains limited in many countries.

Routine outcome monitoring (ROM) is an evidence-based methodology in psychotherapy that supports clinical decision-making through the standardized and systematic collection of patient-reported outcome data. Although its benefits are well established, ROM remains poorly integrated into routine psychotherapeutic practice in many countries, including Italy. Structural fragmentation of services, limited digital infrastructure, and cultural resistance within the profession hinder the adoption of data-informed clinical practices.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is highly prevalent among aging men and may lead to progressive lower urinary tract symptoms, surgical intervention, and serious outcomes such as acute urinary retention and renal impairment. In routine clinical practice, the long-term spectrum, timing, and determinants of multiple key outcome events after BPH diagnosis remain insufficiently characterized. This evidence gap is particularly relevant in China, where care pathways, follow-up patterns, and comorbidity profiles may differ from those reported in other populations. A comprehensive real-world description of long-term outcome patterns and determinants is needed to inform risk-stratified follow-up intensity and intervention timing, where current evidence remains limited.

Gingival recession and periodontal pockets are the results of the gradual deterioration of the alveolar bone and periodontal ligament caused by periodontitis, which is caused by inflammation of the tissues supporting the tooth. The primary goal of periodontal therapy is to eradicate these aberrant traits. Despite being a popular treatment, scaling and root planing (SRP) has limitations, such as difficulty accessing deeper pockets and root concavities.

Enterococcus faecalis is a facultative anaerobic bacterium frequently associated with persistent root canal infections and endodontic treatment failures. Its resistance is primarily attributed to its ability to form robust biofilms, survive under harsh conditions, and penetrate deep into dentinal tubules. Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX), commonly used as an intracanal medicament, exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity; however, its limited ability to eliminate biofilms, potential cytotoxicity, and restricted dentinal penetration pose significant drawbacks. In recent years, nanotechnology has introduced promising alternatives such as cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO₂-NPs), which exhibit unique redox properties, reactive oxygen species scavenging, and antimicrobial action due to their nanoscale size and surface chemistry.

Young people with mobility disabilities have limited options to maintain their cardiometabolic health and cardiorespiratory fitness. Active video gaming using extended reality head-mounted displays is becoming increasingly common for promoting serious exergaming. However, there is a need to identify dosing protocols that can potentially lead to meaningful improvements in cardiometabolic health and cardiorespiratory fitness.

Latino men who have sex with men (LMSM) account for a disproportionate and growing number of HIV diagnoses in the United States. Intersectional stigma remains a key driver of HIV inequities; however, most quantitative intersectional stigma measures are limited and do not consider the larger social context.

Although a high intake of plant foods is often considered healthy, some plant foods can be detrimental to health. Reliable dietary assessment is crucial to examine the relationship between diet and disease. Current dietary assessment methods rely on self-reported intake data, which are subject to bias. Objective measurement using biomarkers of food intake could mitigate this problem. However, single biomarkers of food intake have limitations as well. Combining several biomarkers of food intake into a multibiomarker panel could attenuate these limitations and allow for an accurate, objective dietary assessment.

Dental implants are a widely used therapeutic option for tooth replacement; however, biological and prosthetic complications may compromise implant success. While prior research has largely focused on academic or specialty settings, data on implant outcomes in community dental practices remain limited.