JMIR Research Protocols

Due to limited access to evidence-based cessation support, American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) adults are half as likely to quit commercial cigarette smoking as other racial and ethnic groups. Geographical barriers, underfunded health systems, and limited integration of cessation services into routine care have reduced access to effective treatment in AI/AN communities. These challenges are compounded by a lack of culturally relevant interventions tailored to AI/AN adults. Thus, there is an urgent need for accessible, scalable, and culturally relevant interventions.

Child maltreatment, a major public health concern, has long-term neurobiological, psychological, and social consequences. Recognizing, documenting, and reporting suspected cases should be systematic across hospital and community services, but these processes are hindered by inconsistent surveillance systems, uneven professional training, and the lack of standardized data collection tools. Timely follow-up, updated clinical criteria, and structured multidisciplinary training can improve case assessment, traceability, and professionals’ ability to report suspected maltreatment. The Sentinel project was developed to address these clinical, organizational, and public health gaps through a combined REDCap-based digital registry and structured training program for pediatric health care professionals.

Military sexual trauma (MST) among veteran men is common, underreported, and associated with substantial psychological morbidity. Despite evidence that gender-related distress and shame pertaining to masculinity contribute to treatment avoidance and dropout, MST interventions within the US Department of Veterans Affairs have not been developed specifically for men.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), is a debilitating condition characterized by persistent fatigue and a range of complex accompanying symptoms. While curative treatments remain limited, Tuina (a traditional manual therapy in Chinese medicine) has shown potential in alleviating fatigue in pilot studies. However, high-quality evidence from large-scale, multicenter trials regarding its efficacy and long-term sustainability is lacking.

Delayed placement of dental implants often leads to bone resorption, particularly in the posterior region, compromising implant placement. Osseodensification uses specialized rotary instruments to compact and densify bone and may improve bone quality and implant stability. However, its effectiveness in delayed implant placement has not been fully explored.

Indigenous communities continue to experience significant mental and physical health disparities associated with historical trauma, structural inequities, and disruptions to cultural continuity. Indigenous older adults residing in long-term care settings may be particularly vulnerable to social isolation, psychological distress, chronic pain, and reduced opportunities for cultural engagement. Music-based interventions (MBIs) have demonstrated potential for improving psychosocial and physical health outcomes; however, few MBIs have been culturally grounded in Indigenous worldviews or codeveloped with Indigenous communities.

Adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at increased risk for chronic health conditions and reduced quality of life (QoL), often linked to lower physical activity (PA), motor impairments, and barriers to health care access. Although communication and social differences in ASD are well documented, motor impairments such as deficits in coordination, balance, and gait remain understudied in adulthood despite their relevance to fall risk and PA participation. Telehealth and wearable technologies may improve access to physical therapy assessment and remote monitoring of physical function in this underserved population.

Obesity is a growing public health issue associated with comorbidities and substantial medical costs. Although bariatric and metabolic surgery (BMS) is often recommended for individuals with severe obesity, prehabilitation may optimize their physical and psychological status. However, face-to-face delivery can limit accessibility, and evidence on home-based approaches remains scarce.

Periodontitis and low bone mineral density (BMD) are both highly prevalent among older women and share inflammatory and metabolic pathways, yet their co-occurrence and combined impact on tooth loss remain insufficiently characterized, particularly in Middle Eastern populations. Active matrix metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8), measured by point-of-care testing (PoCT) in oral rinse, is a candidate biomarker that may support periodontal screening in geriatric settings.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasingly common, with short- and long-term health risks. Building on the GooD4Mum pilot, which demonstrated quality improvements in general practice for care after GDM, this project implemented and evaluated a primary care Quality Improvement Collaborative (QIC) program to optimize identification, recall, screening, and referral of patients after GDM.

Virtual health care has become increasingly popular worldwide since the COVID-19 pandemic. Immigrant populations in Canada face significant barriers to, and disparities in, access to and use of virtual care. South Asian immigrants in particular often face intersectional impediments to health care access. Compassionate and equitable health care is a fundamental patient right and should be provided at all levels of the health care system; however, patients frequently report a lack of compassionate, respectful, and caring health services.

Cancer-related pain remains highly prevalent and frequently undertreated despite advances in oncological therapies and analgesic strategies. Multidisciplinary approaches are recommended to optimize complex cancer pain management and integrate supportive care; however, robust real-world evidence evaluating their measurable clinical and patient-reported impact remains limited. Structured multidisciplinary cancer pain committees may be associated with changes in pain outcomes, quality of life, and patient experience, but prospective evaluations in routine clinical practice are scarce.