JMIR Research Protocols

Physical exercise involving simultaneous cognitive demands, including dance-based exergames, has shown moderate effects on executive function. Immersive virtual reality (VR) may enhance these effects by increasing presence and frontal cortical activation; however, evidence in youth integrating objective neurophysiological measures remains limited and methodologically heterogeneous.

The built environment and urban design are now recognized as primary drivers of achieving an active and healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, the benefits of large green-space developments are often not distributed equally, and low-income communities of color often endure unintended consequences.

Exit interviews are structured conversations with individuals leaving an organization, training program, or educational institution, aimed at understanding their experiences, reasons for departure, and suggestions for improvement. While commonly used in workforce settings to inform recruitment, retention, and organizational development strategies, their application within health professions education remains poorly understood. Learner and trainee attrition, program transfers, and workforce transitions may provide insights into educational experiences, training environments, and career progression. However, literature examining exit interviews in health professions education is fragmented and has not been comprehensively mapped.

Physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and sleep play a key role in the health and development of young people. This has led to the development of guidelines on PA, SB, and sleep for children and young people aged 5 to 17 years. Adherence to these integrated guidelines is associated with favorable physical, mental, and cognitive health outcomes. However, evidence regarding 24-hour movement behaviors (MBs) among young people with learning disabilities is scarce, particularly in the United Kingdom, where no studies have comprehensively examined adherence to all guideline components or explored the factors influencing these behaviors in this population.

Mental health conditions (MHC), particularly depression and anxiety, are the leading contributors to youth disability globally. In the United States, there has been a steep increase in diagnosed MHC cases over the last decade. Adolescents in rural areas are disproportionately affected by the combination of limited access to mental health professionals and stigma around seeking care. Current treatment options, mainly psychotherapy and psychopharmacology, have shown modest effects. Prior research suggests associations between slow-paced deep breathing and autonomic function, cerebral perfusion, and stress regulation, supporting further investigation of structured breathing as a potential adjunctive approach for MHC management.

Motherwort injection (MI) is a traditional Chinese medicine injection widely used for hemostasis and menstrual regulation in obstetrics and gynecology. Although clinical trials and systematic reviews have demonstrated its effectiveness for specific indications, comprehensive real-world evidence (RWE) regarding its safety, effectiveness, and use patterns across diverse clinical settings remains limited.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a disorder characterized by hyperglycemia that is first recognized during pregnancy due to a mismatch between placental insulin production and increased maternal need, exacerbating insulin resistance. Few studies have systematically examined the metabolic markers and pathways underlying GDM from diagnosis through the postnatal period, including placental metabolic changes through metabolomics studies.

Distal third tibial fractures are difficult to treat owing to the subcutaneous anteromedial border of the tibia, its tenuous periosteal vascularity, and the proximity of the fracture to the ankle joint. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) using a locking compression plate (LCP) preserves fracture biology by avoiding direct exposure of the fracture site.

Fixed orthodontic appliances create plaque-retentive niches that promote dental biofilm accumulation and are associated with enamel demineralization, periodontal inflammation, and ecological shifts in the oral microbiota. Previous orthodontic prevention studies have mainly focused on behavioral or clinical outcomes, with limited integration of longitudinal microbiological and host inflammatory assessments. Advances in saliva-based microbial and immunological profiling now provide opportunities to better characterize treatment-associated dysbiosis and related host inflammatory responses and to support more individualized preventive approaches during orthodontic care.

Climate change threatens population health through temperature extremes, air pollution, and altered infectious disease patterns. Emergency departments (EDs) are sensitive indicators of climate-related health impacts; however, comprehensive multicenter investigations integrating meteorological factors, air quality, and infectious disease surveillance across different health care provision levels remain scarce in Germany, particularly in maritime climate regions.

Snakebite envenoming (SBE) is a neglected tropical disease with substantial morbidity and mortality. India accounts for nearly 50% of global snakebite deaths, yet the disease remains underreported due to a lack of standardized documentation and phenotypic classification. Current diagnosis is syndromic and lacks uniform data capture protocols.

Despite robust evidence supporting the efficacy of antiobesity medications (AOMs), their use remains limited and inequitable across populations. Patient, provider, and system-level barriers constrain equitable AOM use in eligible persons, limiting the cumulative health benefits realized by eligible patients.