@Article{info:doi/10.2196/67370, author="Mancuso, Noah and Michaels, Jenna and Browne, N. Erica and Maragh-Bass, C. Allysha and Stocks, B. Jacob and Soberano, R. Zachary and Bond, Lily C. and Yigit, Ibrahim and Comello, G. Maria Leonora and Larsen, Adams Margo and Muessig, E. Kathryn and Pettifor, Audrey and Hightow-Weidman, B. Lisa and Budhwani, Henna and Stoner, D. Marie C.", title="Greater Improvements in Vaccination Outcomes Among Black Young Adults With Vaccine-Resistant Attitudes in the United States South Following a Digital Health Intervention: Latent Profile Analysis of a Randomized Control Trial", journal="JMIR Public Health Surveill", year="2025", month="Apr", day="16", volume="11", pages="e67370", keywords="COVID-19", keywords="mHealth", keywords="African American and Black", keywords="young adults", keywords="vaccination", keywords="mobile health", abstract="Background: Negative attitudes toward vaccines and suboptimal vaccination rates among African American and Black (Black) Americans have been well documented, due to a history of medical racism and human rights violations in the United States. However, digital health interventions (DHI) have been shown to address racial disparities in several health outcomes, such as cardiovascular disease, HIV, and maternal health. The Tough Talks COVID (TT-C) study was a randomized controlled trial of a DHI designed to empower Black young adults in the United States South to make informed, autonomous decisions about COVID-19 vaccine uptake by addressing structural barriers and misinformation about vaccines. Objective: Our objective was to identify subgroups of Black young adults with various vaccine attitudes at baseline and determine the subgroups for which the TT-C DHI was most impactful. Methods: Black young adults aged 18?29 years in Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina who were unvaccinated or insufficiently vaccinated against COVID-19 completed three online surveys over three months (N=360). Latent profile analysis was used to identify subgroups based on general vaccine attitudes at baseline, including hesitancy, confidence, knowledge, conspiracy beliefs, and mistrust. Logistic regression was used to examine the associations between latent profiles and vaccine uptake, and linear regression was used to examine changes in vaccine attitudes at three months post-randomization. Modification of the TT-C DHI's effects was assessed by latent profiles. Results: Three latent profiles emerged: vaccine-receptive (n=124), vaccine-neutral (n=155), and vaccine-resistant (n=81). Political affiliation, income, social support, and recent flu vaccination differed significantly between the three subgroups (P<.05). Vaccine uptake was not significantly different by subgroup, and the TTC-DHI did not have differing effects on uptake across subgroups. However, the DHI had the strongest effect---with statistically significant measures of association (P<.05) and interaction P values (P<.10)---among the baseline vaccine-resistant and vaccine-neutral subgroups compared to the vaccine-receptive subgroups at three months in improving vaccine hesitancy, confidence, and conspiracy beliefs at three months: vaccine-resistant difference: ?0.40 (?0.76 to ?0.37), 0.39 (0.02 to 0.75), and ?0.47 (?0.86 to ?0.09); vaccine neutral difference: ?0.36 (?0.52 to ?0.19), 0.35 (0.18 to 0.51), and ?0.24 (?0.44 to ?0.03). The DHI had no effects on these outcomes among the vaccine-receptive subgroup. Conclusions: Our findings revealed subgroups of Black young adults in the United States South with different vaccination attitudes, for which the TT-C intervention had differing effects. Black young adults who are vaccine-resistant or vaccine-neutral may experience larger gains from a digital vaccine intervention. Future work aimed at improving vaccination outcomes could target these populations to maximize resource efficiency and drive the greatest improvements in vaccine outcomes. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05490329; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05490329 ", doi="10.2196/67370", url="https://publichealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e67370" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/63693, author="Kamberi, Ariana and Weitz, Benjamin and Flahive, Julie and Eve, Julianna and Najjar, Reem and Liaghat, Tara and Ford, Daniel and Lindenauer, Peter and Person, Sharina and Houston, K. Thomas and Gauvey-Kern, E. Megan and Lobien, Jackie and Sadasivam, S. Rajani", title="Testing a Machine Learning--Based Adaptive Motivational System for Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Smokers (Adapt2Quit): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial", journal="JMIR Res Protoc", year="2025", month="Apr", day="16", volume="14", pages="e63693", keywords="smoking cessation", keywords="mHealth", keywords="socioeconomically disadvantaged, biochemical verification", keywords="machine learning", abstract="Background: Individuals who are socioeconomically disadvantaged have high smoking rates and face barriers to participating in smoking cessation interventions. Computer-tailored health communication, which is focused on finding the most relevant messages for an individual, has been shown to promote behavior change. We developed a machine learning approach (the Adapt2Quit recommender system), and our pilot work demonstrated the potential to increase message relevance and smoking cessation effectiveness among individuals who are socioeconomically disadvantaged. Objective: This study protocol describes our randomized controlled trial to test whether the Adapt2Quit recommender system will increase smoking cessation among individuals from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds who smoke. Methods: Individuals from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds who smoke were identified based on insurance tied to low income or from clinical settings (eg, community health centers) that provide care for low-income patients. They received text messages from the Adapt2Quit recommender system for 6 months. Participants received daily text messages for the first 30 days and every 14 days until the end of the study. Intervention participants also received biweekly texting facilitation messages, that is, text messages asking participants to respond (yes or no) if they were interested in being referred to the quitline. Interested participants were then actively referred to the quitline by study staff. Intervention participants also received biweekly text messages assessing their current smoking status. Control participants did not receive the recommender messages but received the biweekly texting facilitation and smoking status assessment messages. Our primary outcome is the 7-day point-prevalence smoking cessation at 6 months, verified by carbon monoxide testing. We will use an inverse probability weighting approach to test our primary outcome. This involves using a logistic regression model to predict nonmissingness, calculating the inverse probability of nonmissingness, and using it as a weight in a logistic regression model to compare cessation rates between the two groups. Results: The Adapt2Quit study was funded in April 2020 and is still ongoing. We have completed the recruitment of individuals (N=757 participants). The 6-month follow-up of all participants was completed in November 2024. The sample consists of 64\% (486/757) female participants, 35\% (265/757) Black or African American individuals, 51.1\% (387/757) White individuals, and 16\% (121/757) Hispanic or Latino individuals. In total, 52.6\% (398/757) of participants reported having a high school education or being a high school graduate; 70\% (529/757) smoked their first cigarette within 30 minutes of waking, and half (379/757, 50\%) had stopped smoking for at least one day in the past year. Moreover, 16.6\% (126/757) had called the quitline before study participation. Conclusions: We have recruited a diverse sample of individuals who are socioeconomically disadvantaged and designed a rigorous protocol to evaluate the Adapt2Quit recommender system. Future papers will present our main analysis of the trial. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04720625; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04720625 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/63693 ", doi="10.2196/63693", url="https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e63693" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/65207, author="Mylonopoulou, Vasiliki and Cerna, Katerina and Weilenmann, Alexandra and Rost, Mattias and Holmlund, Tobias", title="Experiences of Wheelchair Users With Spinal Cord Injury With Self-Tracking and Commercial Self-Tracking Technology (``In Our World, Calories Are Very Important''): Qualitative Interview Study", journal="JMIR Hum Factors", year="2025", month="Apr", day="15", volume="12", pages="e65207", keywords="wheelchair", keywords="spinal cord injury", keywords="tracking", keywords="self-tracking", keywords="wellness technology", keywords="calories", keywords="health inequalities", keywords="inclusive design in mobile health", keywords="design", keywords="lifestyle app", keywords="artificial intelligence", keywords="AI", abstract="Background: Commercial wearable and mobile wellness apps and devices have become increasingly affordable and ubiquitous. One of their aims is to assist the individual wearing them in adopting a healthier lifestyle through tracking and visualizing their data. Some of these devices and apps have a wheelchair mode that indicates that they are designed for different types of bodies (eg, wheelchair users with spinal cord injury [SCI]). However, research focuses mainly on designing and developing new condition-specific self-tracking technology, whereas the experiences of wheelchair users with SCI using self-tracking technology remain underexplored. Objective: The objectives of this study were to (1) provide a comprehensive overview of the literature in the field of self-tracking technology and wheelchair users (as a basis for the study), (2) present the self-tracking needs of wheelchair users with SCI, and (3) present their experiences and use of commercial self-tracking technology. Methods: We conducted semistructured interviews with wheelchair users with SCI to understand their experiences with self-tracking and self-tracking technologies, their self-tracking needs, and how they changed before and after the injury. The interviews were thematically analyzed using an inductive approach. Results: Our findings comprised three themes: (1) being a wheelchair user with SCI, (2) reasons for self-tracking, and (3) experiences with self-tracking technologies and tools. The last theme comprised 3 subthemes: self-tracking technology use, trust in self-tracking technology, and calorie tracking. Conclusions: In the Discussion section, we present how our findings relate to the literature and discuss the lack of trust in commercial self-tracking technologies regarding calorie tracking, as well as the role of wheelchair users with SCI in the design of commercial self-tracking technology. ", doi="10.2196/65207", url="https://humanfactors.jmir.org/2025/1/e65207" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/72037, author="Pessoa, Cheila", title="Enhancing Self-Management Support Apps for Spinal Cord Injury: The Missing Role of Caregivers", journal="JMIR Mhealth Uhealth", year="2025", month="Apr", day="14", volume="13", pages="e72037", keywords="mobile phone", keywords="mHealth", keywords="eHealth", keywords="telemedicine", keywords="telehealth", keywords="spinal cord injury", keywords="self-management", keywords="internet-based intervention", keywords="World Wide Web", keywords="systematic review", keywords="caregiver", doi="10.2196/72037", url="https://mhealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e72037" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/55433, author="Aicken, Catherine and Gabb, Jacqui and Di Martino, Salvatore and Witney, Tom and Lucassen, Mathijs", title="Exploring the Potential of a Digital Intervention to Enhance Couple Relationships (the Paired App): Mixed Methods Evaluation", journal="JMIR Mhealth Uhealth", year="2025", month="Apr", day="14", volume="13", pages="e55433", keywords="digital intervention", keywords="couple relationships", keywords="romantic relationships", keywords="relationship quality", keywords="app", keywords="digital technology", keywords="couples", keywords="internet-based intervention", keywords="evaluation research", keywords="mobile phone", abstract="Background: Despite the effects of poor relationship quality on individuals', couples', and families' well-being, help seeking often does not occur until problems arise. Digital interventions may lower barriers to engagement with preventive relationship care. The Paired app, launched in October 2020, aims to strengthen and enhance couple relationships. It provides daily questions, quizzes, tips, and detailed content and facilitates in-app sharing of question and quiz responses and tagged content between partners. Objective: To explore the potential of mobile health to benefit couple relationships and how it may do this, we examined (1) Paired's impact on relationship quality and (2) its mechanisms of action. Methods: This mixed methods evaluation invited Paired subscribers to complete (1) brief longitudinal surveys over 3 months (n=440), (2) a 30-item web-based survey (n=745), and (3) in-depth interviews (n=20). For objective 1, survey results were triangulated to determine associations between relationship quality measures and the duration and frequency of Paired use, and qualitative data were integrated to provide explanatory depth. For objective 2, mechanisms of action were explored using a dominant qualitative approach. Results: Relationship quality improved with increasing duration and frequency of Paired use. Web-based survey data indicate that the Multidimensional Quality of Relationship Scale score (representing relationship quality on a 0-10 scale) was 35.5\% higher (95\% CI 31.1\%-43.7\%; P=.002), at 7.03, among people who had used Paired for >3 months compared to 5.19 among new users (?1 wk use of Paired), a trend supported by the longitudinal data. Of those who had used Paired for >1 month, 64.3\% (330/513) agreed that their relationship felt stronger since using the app (95\% CI 60.2\%-68.4\%), with no or minimal demographic differences. Regarding the app's mechanisms of action, interview accounts demonstrated how it prompted and habituated meaningful communication between partners, both within and outside the app. Couples made regular times in their day to discuss the topics Paired raised. Daily questions were sometimes lighthearted and sometimes concerned topics that couples might find challenging to discuss (eg, money management). Interviewees valued the combination of fun and seriousness. It was easier to discuss challenging topics when they were raised by the ``neutral'' app, rather than during stressful circumstances or when broached by 1 partner. Engagement seemed to be enhanced by users' experience of relationship benefits and by the app's design. Conclusions: This study demonstrates proof of concept, showing that Paired may have the potential to improve relationship quality over a relatively short time frame. Positive relationship practices became embedded within couples' daily routines, suggesting that relationship quality improvements might be sustained. Digital interventions can play an important role in the relationship care ecosystem. The mixed methods design enabled triangulation and integration, strengthening our findings. However, app users were self-selecting, and methodological choices impact our findings' generalizability. ", doi="10.2196/55433", url="https://mhealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e55433" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/64023, author="Ban, Yuki and Waki, Kayo and Nakada, Ryohei and Isogawa, Akihiro and Miyoshi, Kengo and Waki, Hironori and Kato, Shunsuke and Sawaki, Hideaki and Murata, Takashi and Hirota, Yushi and Saito, Shuichiro and Nishikage, Seiji and Tone, Atsuhito and Seno, Mayumi and Toyoda, Masao and Kajino, Shinichi and Yokota, Kazuki and Tsurutani, Yuya and Yamauchi, Toshimasa and Nangaku, Masaomi and Ohe, Kazuhiko", title="Efficacy of a Personalized Mobile Health Intervention (BedTime) to Increase Sleep Duration Among Short-Sleeping Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial", journal="JMIR Res Protoc", year="2025", month="Apr", day="14", volume="14", pages="e64023", keywords="digital therapeutics", keywords="behavior change", keywords="Theory of Planned Behavior", keywords="sleep duration", keywords="type 2 diabetes", keywords="randomized controlled trial", abstract="Background: A strong association exists between sleep duration and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), yet convincing evidence of a causal link remains lacking. Improving sleep is increasingly emphasized in clinical T2D treatment guidance, highlighting the need for effective, scalable sleep interventions that can affordably serve large populations through mobile health (mHealth). Objective: This study aims to pilot an intervention that extends sleep duration by modifying bedtime behavior, assessing its efficacy among short-sleeping (?6 hours per night) patients with T2D, and establishing robust evidence that extending sleep improves glycemic control. Methods: This randomized, single-blinded, multicenter study targets 70 patients with T2D from 9 institutions in Japan over a 12-week intervention period. The sleep extension intervention, BedTime, is developed using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and focuses on TPB's constructs of perceived and actual behavioral control (ABC). The pilot intervention combines wearable actigraphy devices with SMS text messaging managed by human operators. Both the intervention and control groups will use an actigraphy device to record bedtime, sleep duration, and step count, while time in bed (TIB) will be assessed via sleep diaries. In addition, the intervention group will receive weekly bedtime goals, daily feedback on their bedtime performance relative to those goals, identify personal barriers to an earlier bedtime, and select strategies to overcome these barriers. The 12-week intervention period will be followed by a 12-week observational period to assess the sustainability of the intervention's effects. The primary outcome is the between-group difference in the change in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes include other health measures, sleep metrics (bedtime, TIB, sleep duration, total sleep time, and sleep quality), behavioral changes, and assessments of the intervention's usability. The trial commenced on February 8, 2024, and is expected to conclude in February 2025. Results: Patient recruitment ended on August 29, 2024, with 70 participants enrolled. The intervention period concluded on December 6, 2024, and the observation period ended on February 26, 2025, with 70 participants completing the observation period. The data analysis is currently underway, and results are expected to be published in July 2025. Conclusions: This trial will provide important evidence on the causal link between increased sleep duration and improved glycemic control in short-sleeping patients with T2D. It will also evaluate the efficacy of our bedtime behavior change intervention in extending sleep duration, initially piloted with human operators, with the goal of future implementation via an mHealth smartphone app. If proven effective, this intervention could be a key step toward integrating sleep-focused mHealth into the standard treatment for patients with T2D in Japan. Trial Registration: Japan Registry of Clinical Trials jRCT1030230650; https://jrct.niph.go.jp/latest-detail/jRCT1030230650 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/64023 ", doi="10.2196/64023", url="https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e64023" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/67381, author="Six, Stephanie and Schlesener, Elizabeth and Hill, Victoria and Babu, V. Sabarish and Byrne, Kaileigh", title="Impact of Conversational and Animation Features of a Mental Health App Virtual Agent on Depressive Symptoms and User Experience Among College Students: Randomized Controlled Trial", journal="JMIR Ment Health", year="2025", month="Apr", day="11", volume="12", pages="e67381", keywords="depression", keywords="mental health app", keywords="virtual agents", keywords="cognitive behavioral therapy", keywords="conversational agents", keywords="virtual agent", keywords="animations", keywords="college student", keywords="CBT", keywords="ANOVA", keywords="randomized controlled trial", keywords="depressive symptoms", keywords="mental disorder", keywords="mental illness", keywords="user experience", keywords="mHealth", keywords="digital health", abstract="Background: Numerous mental health apps purport to alleviate depressive symptoms. Strong evidence suggests that brief cognitive behavioral therapy (bCBT)-based mental health apps can decrease depressive symptoms, yet there is limited research elucidating the specific features that may augment its therapeutic benefits. One potential design feature that may influence effectiveness and user experience is the inclusion of virtual agents that can mimic realistic, human face-to-face interactions. Objective: The goal of the current experiment was to determine the effect of conversational and animation features of a virtual agent within a bCBT-based mental health app on depressive symptoms and user experience in college students with and without depressive symptoms. Methods: College students (N=209) completed a 2-week intervention in which they engaged with a bCBT-based mental health app with a customizable therapeutic virtual agent that varied in conversational and animation features. A 2 (time: baseline vs 2-week follow-up) {\texttimes} 2 (conversational vs non-conversational agent) {\texttimes} 2 (animated vs non-animated agent) randomized controlled trial was used to assess mental health symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-8, Perceived Stress Scale-10, and Response Rumination Scale questionnaires) and user experience (mHealth App Usability Questionnaire, MAUQ) in college students with and without current depressive symptoms. The mental health app usability and qualitative questions regarding users' perceptions of their therapeutic virtual agent interactions and customization process were assessed at follow-up. Results: Mixed ANOVA (analysis of variance) results demonstrated a significant decrease in symptoms of depression (P=.002; mean [SD]=5.5 [4.86] at follow-up vs mean [SD]=6.35 [4.71] at baseline), stress (P=.005; mean [SD]=15.91 [7.67] at follow-up vs mean [SD]=17.02 [6.81] at baseline), and rumination (P=.03; mean [SD]=40.42 [12.96] at follow-up vs mean [SD]=41.92 [13.61] at baseline); however, no significant effect of conversation or animation was observed. Findings also indicate a significant increase in user experience in animated conditions. This significant increase in animated conditions is also reflected in the user's ease of use and satisfaction (F(1, 201)=102.60, P<.001), system information arrangement (F(1, 201)=123.12, P<.001), and usefulness of the application (F(1, 201)=3667.62, P<.001). Conclusions: The current experiment provides support for bCBT-based mental health apps featuring customizable, humanlike therapeutic virtual agents and their ability to significantly reduce negative symptomology over a brief timeframe. The app intervention reduced mental health symptoms, regardless of whether the agent included conversational or animation features, but animation features enhanced the user experience. These effects were observed in both users with and without depressive symptoms. Trial Registration: Open Science Framework B2HX5; https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/B2HX5 ", doi="10.2196/67381", url="https://mental.jmir.org/2025/1/e67381" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/54753, author="Filiatreau, M. Lindsey and Szlyk, Hannah and Ramsey, T. Alex and Kasson, Erin and Li, Xiao and Zhang, Zhuoran and Cavazos-Rehg, Patricia", title="Sociodemographic Differences in Logins and Engagement With the Electronic Health Coach Messaging Feature of a Mobile App to Support Opioid and Stimulant Use Recovery: Results From a 1-Month Observational Study", journal="JMIR Mhealth Uhealth", year="2025", month="Apr", day="10", volume="13", pages="e54753", keywords="substance misuse", keywords="substance use recovery", keywords="opioid use disorder", keywords="stimulant use disorder", keywords="uptake", keywords="engagement", keywords="mHealth", keywords="digital health intervention", keywords="sociodemographic", keywords="mobile app", keywords="stimulant use", keywords="observational study", keywords="mobile health", keywords="smartphone", keywords="St. Louis", keywords="eCoach messaging", keywords="Wilcoxon rank-sum tests", keywords="Pearson chi-square", keywords="recovery", keywords="app", abstract="Background: Mobile health apps can serve as a critical tool in supporting the overall health of uninsured and underinsured individuals and groups who have been historically marginalized by the medical community and may be hesitant to seek health care. However, data on uptake and engagement with specific app features (eg, in-app messaging) are often lacking, limiting our ability to understand nuanced patterns of app use. Objective: This study aims to characterize sociodemographic differences in uptake and engagement with a smartphone app (uMAT-R) to support recovery efforts in a sample of individuals with opioid and stimulant use disorders in the Greater St. Louis area. Methods: We enrolled individuals into the uMAT-R service program from facilities providing recovery support in the Greater St. Louis area between January 2020 and April 2022. Study participants were recruited from service project enrollees. We describe the number of logins and electronic health coach (eCoach) messages participants sent in the first 30 days following enrollment using medians and IQRs and counts and proportions of those who ever (vs never) logged in and sent their eCoach a message. We compare estimates across sociodemographic subgroups, by insurance status, and for those who did and did not participate in the research component of the project using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests and Pearson chi-square tests. Results: Of all 695 participants, 446 (64.2\%) logged into uMAT-R at least once during the 30 days following enrollment (median 2, IQR 0-8 logins). Approximately half of those who logged in (227/446) used the eCoach messaging feature (median 1, IQR 0-3 messages). Research participants (n=498), who could receive incentives for app engagement, were more likely to log in and use the eCoach messaging feature compared to others (n=197). Younger individuals, those with higher educational attainment, and White, non-Hispanic individuals were more likely to log in at least once compared to their counterparts. The median number of logins was higher among women, and those who were younger, employed, and not on Medicaid compared to their counterparts. Among those who logged in at least once, younger individuals and those with lower educational attainment were more likely to send at least one eCoach message compared to others. Conclusions: Mobile apps are a viable tool for supporting individuals in recovery from opioid and stimulant use disorders. However, older individuals, racial and ethnic minorities, and those with lower educational attainment may need additional login support, or benefit from alternative mechanisms of recovery support. In addition, apps may need to be tailored to achieve sustained engagement (ie, repeat logins) among men, and individuals who are older, unemployed, or on Medicaid. Older individuals and those with higher educational attainment who may be less likely to use eCoach messaging features could benefit from features tailored to their preferences. ", doi="10.2196/54753", url="https://mhealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e54753" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/69873, author="Chow, I. Philip and Smith, Jessica and Saini, Ravjot and Frederick, Christina and Clark, Connie and Ritterband, Maxwell and Halbert, P. Jennifer and Cheney, Kathryn and Daniel, E. Katharine and Ingersoll, S. Karen", title="A Novel Just-in-Time Intervention for Promoting Safer Drinking Among College Students: App Testing Across 2 Independent Pre-Post Trials", journal="JMIR Hum Factors", year="2025", month="Apr", day="10", volume="12", pages="e69873", keywords="alcohol", keywords="college students", keywords="smartphone intervention", keywords="binge drinking", keywords="safe drinking", abstract="Background: Binge drinking, which is linked to various immediate and long-term negative outcomes, is highly prevalent among US college students. Behavioral interventions delivered via mobile phones have a strong potential to help decrease the hazardous effects of binge drinking by promoting safer drinking behaviors. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the preliminary efficacy of bhoos, a novel smartphone app designed to promote safer drinking behaviors among US college students. The app offers on-demand educational content about safer alcohol use, provides dynamic feedback as users log their alcohol consumption, and includes an interactive drink tracker that estimates blood alcohol content in real time. Methods: The bhoos app was tested in 2 independent pre-post studies each lasting 4 weeks, among US college students aged 18?35 years. The primary outcome in both trials was students' self-reported confidence in using protective behavioral strategies related to drinking, with self-reported frequency of alcohol consumption over the past month examined as a secondary outcome. Results: In study 1, bhoos was associated with increased confidence in using protective behavioral strategies. Students also endorsed the high usability of the app and reported acceptable levels of engagement. Study 2 replicated findings of increased confidence in using protective behavioral strategies, and demonstrated a reduction in the self-reported frequency of alcohol consumption. Conclusions: Bhoos is a personalized, accessible, and highly scalable digital intervention with a strong potential to effectively address alcohol-related behaviors on college campuses. ", doi="10.2196/69873", url="https://humanfactors.jmir.org/2025/1/e69873" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/66439, author="Okun, L. Michele and Payne, L. Jennifer and Osborne, M. Lauren and Feliciano, Leilani and Lac, Andrew", title="Effects of Using a Smart Bassinet on the Mental Health of Military-Affiliated Pregnant Women: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Sleep Health and Mood in Newly Expectant Military Mothers (SHINE) Trial", journal="JMIR Res Protoc", year="2025", month="Apr", day="10", volume="14", pages="e66439", keywords="maternal health", keywords="postpartum", keywords="pregnancy", keywords="sleep", keywords="infant", keywords="depression", keywords="anxiety", keywords="smart bassinet", keywords="intervention", keywords="prevention", keywords="military", abstract="Background: Postpartum mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are higher among pregnant military service women (26\%) and military spouses (12.2\%) compared to the civilian population (10\%-15\%). This is partly due to military-specific factors, including deployment, which are known to increase risk. Important risk factors for PMADs include sleep disturbances, defined as sleep deprivation, insomnia, or poor sleep quality, which are more are common among military-affiliated pregnant women. Objective: This study describes a protocol for a new randomized controlled trial that aims to ameliorate the risk for PMADs through improving infant sleep or maternal sleep during the first 6 postdelivery months in a sample of military-affiliated women. Methods: This study is a 6-month, parallel-arm, randomized controlled trial. Pregnant women (N=342) in the third trimester will be randomized at 1:1 ratio to use a smart bassinet (SB) or a standard commercially available bassinet (HALO BassiNest Swivel Sleeper 3.0; traditional bassinet [TB]) for up to 6 months after delivery. Participants will have their infants sleep in the bassinet, complete monthly web-based questionnaires, and record sleep data with diary and actigraphy for both the participants and their infants for 1 week each postpartum month. Blood samples will also be collected at baseline (late pregnancy) and at 3 months and 6 months post partum to assess immune functioning. The primary outcomes for this study will be postpartum mood (depressive and anxiety symptoms) and infant and maternal sleep. In addition, we are evaluating whether SB has a significant impact on immune functioning---a marker that physiologically connects sleep and mood symptoms. Results: Recruitment for this study began in January 2025. Six separate mixed 2 (treatment vs control) {\texttimes} 6 (assessment period) multivariate analysis of variance and analysis of variance models will be conducted to test the hypotheses that SB will have a greater impact on infant and maternal sleep than TB, SB will be associated with a greater reduction in postpartum mood symptoms than TB, and immune system function will be less dysregulated in birthing individuals using SB compared to those using TB. Lastly, we will evaluate whether the elevated risk demonstrated by previously identified postpartum depression epigenetic biomarkers in the TTC9B and HP1BP3 genes can be modified with an SB. We hypothesize that the elevated risk will be reduced in SB compared to that in TB. Conclusions: At the conclusion of this project, we will have gained a thorough understanding of the capability of SB to positively affect infant and maternal sleep compared to the traditional sleep arrangement and its impact on maternal mood through 6 months post partum in military-affiliated women. The promotion of sleep health in both mothers and infants may be an accessible and amenable method to prevent PMADs. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06544941; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06544941 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/66439 ", doi="10.2196/66439", url="https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e66439" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/68936, author="Fundoiano-Hershcovitz, Yifat and Lee, Felix and Stanger, Catherine and Breuer Asher, Inbar and Horwitz, L. David and Manejwala, Omar and Liska, Jan and Kerr, David", title="Digital Health Intervention on Awareness of Vaccination Against Influenza Among Adults With Diabetes: Pragmatic Randomized Follow-Up Study", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Apr", day="10", volume="27", pages="e68936", keywords="digital health", keywords="diabetes management", keywords="influenza vaccination", keywords="flu vaccination awareness", keywords="mobile health", abstract="Background: Diabetes mellitus significantly increases the risk of severe complications from influenza, necessitating targeted vaccination efforts. Despite vaccination being the most effective preventive measure, coverage remains below the World Health Organization's targets, partly due to limited awareness among patients. This study evaluated a digital health intervention aimed at improving influenza vaccination rates among adults with diabetes. Objective: This study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of digital health platforms in increasing vaccination rates among people with diabetes and to emphasize the impact of tailored messaging frequency on patient engagement and health behavior change. We hypothesized that digital tools providing empirical evidence of increased health risk awareness can effectively drive preventive actions. Methods: The study leveraged the Dario (Dario Health Corp) digital health platform to retrospectively analyze data from 64,904 users with diabetes assigned by the platform into three groups: (1) Group A received previously studied monthly flu nudge messages; (2) Group B received an adapted intervention with 2-3 monthly messages; (3) Group C served as the control with no intervention. Surveys were conducted at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months to assess vaccination status, awareness of influenza risks, and recollection of educational content. Statistical analyses, including logistic regression, chi-square tests, and t tests, were used to evaluate differences between groups. Results: Out of 64,904 users, 8431 completed the surveys. Vaccination rates were 71.0\% in group A, 71.9\% in group B, and 70.5\% in group C. Group B showed significantly higher awareness of influenza risks compared with the control group odds ratio (OR; OR 1.35, 95\% CI 1.12-1.63; P=.001), while group A did not (OR 1.10, 95\% CI 0.92-1.32; P=.27). Recollection of educational content was also higher in groups A (OR 1.29, 95\% CI 1.07-1.56; P=.008) and B (OR 1.92, 95\% CI 1.59-2.33; P<.001) compared with the control. In addition, a significant correlation between awareness and vaccination rates was found only in group B ($\chi$2(df=1)=6.12, P=.01). Conclusions: The adapted digital intervention (group B) effectively increased awareness of influenza risks and recollection of educational content, which correlated with the higher trend in vaccination rates. This study demonstrates the potential of digital health tools to enhance influenza vaccination among people with diabetes by improving risk awareness and education. Further research should focus on optimizing these interventions to achieve significant improvements in vaccination uptake and overall public health outcomes. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06840236; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06840236 ", doi="10.2196/68936", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e68936", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40209214" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/53133, author="Lee, Seonmi and Jeong, Jaehyun and Kim, Myungsung and Lee, Sangil and Kim, Sung-Phil and Jung, Dooyoung", title="Development of a Mobile Intervention for Procrastination Augmented With a Semigenerative Chatbot for University Students: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial", journal="JMIR Mhealth Uhealth", year="2025", month="Apr", day="10", volume="13", pages="e53133", keywords="procrastination", keywords="chatbot", keywords="generative model", keywords="semigenerative model", keywords="time management", keywords="cognitive behavioral therapy", keywords="psychological assessment", keywords="intervention engagement", keywords="emotional support", keywords="user experience", keywords="mobile intervention", keywords="artificial intelligence", keywords="AI", abstract="Background: Procrastination negatively affects university students' academics and mental health. Traditional time management apps lack therapeutic strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy to address procrastination's psychological aspects. Therefore, we developed and integrated a semigenerative chatbot named Moa into a to-do app. Objective: We intended to determine the benefits of the Moa-integrated to-do app over the app without Moa by verifying behavioral and cognitive changes, analyzing the influence of engagement patterns on the changes, and exploring the user experience. Methods: The developed chatbot Moa guided users over 30 days in terms of self-observation, strategy establishment, and reflection. The architecture comprised response-generating and procrastination factor--detection algorithms. A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted with 85 participants (n=37, 44\% female; n=48, 56\% male) from a university in South Korea. The control group used a to-do app without Moa, whereas the treatment group used a fully automated Moa-integrated app. The Irrational Procrastination Scale, Pure Procrastination Scale, Time Management Behavior Scale, and the Perceived Stress Scale were examined using linear mixed models with repeated measurements obtained before (T0) and after (T1) 1-month use and after 2-month use (T2) to assess the changes in irrational procrastination, pure procrastination, time management and behavior, academic self-regulation, and stress. Intervention engagement, divided into ``high,'' ``middle'' and ``low'' clusters, was quantified using app access and use of the to-do list and grouped using k-means clustering. In addition, changes in the psychological scale scores between the control and treatment groups were analyzed within each cluster. User experience was quantified based on the usability, feasibility, and acceptability of and satisfaction with the app, whereas thematic analysis explored the users' subjective responses to app use. Results: In total, 75 participants completed the study. The interaction of time {\texttimes} procrastination was significant during the required use period (P=.01). The post hoc test indicated a significant improvement from T0 to T1 in the Time Management Behavior Scale and Perceived Stress Scale scores only in the treatment group (P<.001 and P=.009). The changes in Pure Procrastination Scale score after the required use period were significant in all clusters except for the low cluster of the control group. The high cluster in the treatment group exhibited a significant change in the Irrational Procrastination Scale after Bonferroni correction (P=.046). Usability was determined to be good in the treatment group (mean score 72.8, SD 16.0), and acceptability was higher than in the control group (P=.03). Evaluation of user experience indicated that only the participants in the treatment group achieved self-reflection and experienced an alliance with the app. Conclusions: The chatbot-integrated app demonstrated greater efficacy in influencing user behavior providing psychological support. It will serve as a valuable tool for managing procrastination and stress together. Trial Registration: Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS) KCT0009056; https://tinyurl.com/yc84tedk ", doi="10.2196/53133", url="https://mhealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e53133", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40208664" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/67166, author="Vadsaria, Khadija and Nuruddin, Rozina and Mohammed, Nuruddin and Azam, Iqbal and Sayani, Saleem", title="Efficacy of a Personalized mHealth App in Improving Micronutrient Supplement Use Among Pregnant Women in Karachi, Pakistan: Parallel-Group Randomized Controlled Trial", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Apr", day="9", volume="27", pages="e67166", keywords="calcium", keywords="folic acid", keywords="iron", keywords="mobile health intervention", keywords="micronutrient deficiencies", keywords="Pakistan", keywords="pregnancy", keywords="supplement use", keywords="vitamin D", keywords="artificial intelligence", abstract="Background: Micronutrient deficiencies in folate, ferritin, calcium, and vitamin D are common during pregnancy in low- and middle-income countries, often due to inadequate diets. Micronutrient supplementation can address this need, whereas innovative awareness strategies in antenatal practices could enhance supplement use compliance. Objective: We evaluated the efficacy of a personalized mobile health (mHealth) intervention, hypothesizing a 30\% improvement in supplement use in the intervention group compared to a conventional face-to-face counseling group. Methods: In an unblinded randomized controlled trial, we enrolled 306 first-trimester pregnant women from Aga Khan University Hospital between January 2020 and September 2021 who owned smartphones with internet connection. Women on regular medications or with dietary restrictions or critical illnesses were excluded. The intervention group received personalized micronutrient supplement use coaching through an mHealth app (PurUmeed Aaghaz) as thrice-a-week push messages and tailored recommendations over a 24-week period. The comparison group received standard face-to-face counseling at 6, 12, 18, and 24 weeks after enrollment. Baseline sociodemographic, obstetrics, anthropometric, dietary, and lifestyle data were collected through face-to-face interviews. At each follow-up, participants reported their weekly use of folic acid, iron, calcium, and vitamin D supplements, scored as 0 (daily), 1.5 (4-6 times weekly), and 3 (?3 times weekly). Scores were summed to calculate the cumulative supplement use score (CSUS; 0-12), with higher scores indicating greater inadequacy. Every fourth woman was invited for biochemical micronutrient assessment. Data were analyzed using Stata (version 14), with random-effects linear and logistic panel regression to compare CSUS and supplement use between the 2 groups from baseline to endline. Results: Of 153 participants per group, 107 (69.9\%) in the intervention and 125 (81.7\%) in the nonintervention group completed the study. After 24 weeks, the intervention group showed a greater but insignificant reduction in mean CSUS compared to the nonintervention group ($\beta$=--.27, 95\% CI ?0.65 to 0.12; P=.17). Daily supplement use improved by 20\% versus 22.4\% for folic acid, 11.2 times versus 2.1 times for iron, 1.2 times versus 14.2 times for calcium, and 3 times versus 1.3 times for vitamin D in the intervention versus nonintervention group, respectively. Multivariable analysis showed higher, though insignificant, odds of sufficient folic acid (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.26, 95\% CI 0.68-2.36; P=.46) and iron (aOR 1.31, 95\% CI 0.95-1.81; P=.10) use in the intervention group, whereas vitamin D use was significantly higher (aOR 1.88, 95\% CI 1.43-2.47; P<.001). Calcium intake improved in the nonintervention group (aOR 0.59, 95\% CI 0.44-0.79; P<.001). Anemia decreased in the intervention group, whereas ferritin, calcium, and vitamin D deficiencies persisted or worsened, particularly in the nonintervention group. Conclusions: An appropriately implemented mHealth intervention can improve antenatal vitamin D supplementation. Affordable, accessible, and personalized counseling through mHealth could ameliorate micronutrient status during pregnancy. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04216446; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04216446 ", doi="10.2196/67166", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e67166" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/64174, author="Laverdi{\`e}re, Roxanne and Jackson, L. Philip and Banville, Fr{\'e}d{\'e}ric", title="A New Mobile App to Train Attention Processes in People With Traumatic Brain Injury: Logical and Ecological Content Validation Study", journal="JMIR Form Res", year="2025", month="Apr", day="9", volume="9", pages="e64174", keywords="mobile app", keywords="attention training", keywords="cognitive remediation", keywords="mindfulness", keywords="psychometric properties", keywords="content validation", abstract="Background: Attention is at the base of more complex cognitive processes, and its deficits can significantly impact safety and health. Attention can be impaired by neurodevelopmental and acquired disorders. One validated theoretical model to explain attention processes and their deficits is the hierarchical model of Sohlberg and Mateer. This model guides intervention development to improve attention following an acquired disorder. Another way to stimulate attention functions is to engage in the daily practice of mindfulness, a multicomponent concept that can be explained by the theoretical model of Baer and colleagues. Mobile apps offer great potential for practicing mindfulness daily as they can easily be used during daily routines, thus facilitating transfer. Laverdi{\`e}re and colleagues have developed such a mobile app called Focusing, which is aimed at attention training using mindfulness-inspired attentional exercises. However, this app has not been scientifically validated. Objective: This research aims to analyze the logical content validity and ecological content validity of the Focusing app. Methods: Logical content validation was performed by 7 experts in neuropsychology and mindfulness. Using an online questionnaire, they determined whether the content of the attention training app exercises is representative of selected constructs, namely the theoretical model of attention by Sohlberg and Mateer and the theoretical model of mindfulness by Baer and colleagues. A focus group was subsequently held with the experts to discuss items that did not reach consensus in order to change or remove them. Ecological content validation was performed with 10 healthy adults. Participants had to explore all sections of the app and assess the usability, relevance, satisfaction, quality, attractiveness, and cognitive load associated with each section of the app, using online questionnaires. Results: Logical content validation results demonstrated a high content validity index (CVI) of the attention training app. Excellent scores (CVI ?0.78) in both the attention and mindfulness models were obtained for all exercises in the app, except 2 exercises. One of these exercises was subsequently modified to include expert feedback, and one was removed. Regarding ecological content validation, the results showed that workload, quality, user experience, satisfaction, and relevance of the app were adequate. The Mobile Application Rating Scale questionnaire showed an average quality rating between 3.75/5 (SD 0.41) (objective quality) and 3.65/5 (SD 0.36) (subjective quality), indicating acceptable quality. The?mean global?attractiveness rating from the AttrakDiff questionnaire was 2.36/3 (SD?0.57), which represents one of the strengths of the app.? Conclusions: Logical and ecological content validation showed that Focusing is theoretically valid, with a high level of agreement among experts and healthy participants. This tool can be tested to train attention processes after a neurological insult such as traumatic brain injury. ", doi="10.2196/64174", url="https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e64174", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40202789" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/65268, author="Wang, Honghong and Qin, Ziqi and Li, Yixuan and Duan, Yuqiong and Lu, Qiaoyue and Xiao, Xueling", title="Effect of a WeChat-Based Hybrid Intervention on the Adaptation Outcomes of People Living With HIV/AIDS: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Apr", day="3", volume="27", pages="e65268", keywords="HIV/AIDS", keywords="quality of life", keywords="acceptance of illness", keywords="mental health", keywords="randomized controlled trial", keywords="mobile phone", abstract="Background: People living with HIV/AIDS face multiple challenges that collectively impede their adaptation outcomes. These outcomes include quality of life (QoL), acceptance of illness, mental health (including symptoms of anxiety and depression), and antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. While existing evidence addresses specific challenges, it often overlooks the interactions among the various problems people living with HIV/AIDS encounter. The comprehensive-task disease management framework and positive self-management framework provide a theoretical basis for understanding the adaptation process. A culturally tailored, theory-based intervention may be necessary and effective in facilitating better adaptation outcomes for people living with HIV/AIDS. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a hybrid intervention called AiCare (Adaptation intervention with Comprehensive-task disease management framework to achieve renormal life) on improving QoL, acceptance of illness, mental health (anxiety and depression), and ART adherence among people living with HIV/AIDS in China. Methods: We conducted a 2-arm randomized controlled trial, recruiting 92 people living with HIV/AIDS from an HIV clinic in Hunan, China. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the control group (receiving standard care) or the intervention group (receiving AiCare in addition to standard care). All analyses were performed from an intention-to-treat perspective. Sociodemographic and HIV-specific clinical characteristics, along with key adaptation outcomes---including QoL, acceptance of illness, mental health (anxiety and depression), and ART adherence---were assessed at baseline (T0), post intervention (T1), and 3 months post intervention (T2). We used generalized estimating equation models and difference-in-difference analysis to evaluate the interventions' effects. Results: The difference-in-difference model showed that at T1, the intervention group experienced significant improvements compared to the control group. QoL increased by 6.35 (95\% CI 2.62-10.93, P=.001), acceptance of illness improved by 4.49 (95\% CI 2.29-6.68, P<.001), and anxiety decreased by 2.15 (95\% CI 1.19-3.11; P=.01). At T2, the intervention group's improvement in QoL was not statistically significant ($\beta$ 3.62, 95\% CI --1.53 to 8.77; P=.17). However, acceptance of illness remained significantly improved by 3.65 (95\% CI 1.22-6.08; P=.003), and anxiety decreased by 1.58 (95\% CI 0.42-2.74; P=.007). No significant changes were observed in depression or ART adherence between the intervention and control groups. Feedback regarding the AiCare program indicated its acceptability and feasibility. Conclusions: The AiCare program demonstrated promising effects in improving disease adaptation outcomes among people living with HIV/AIDS, notably in enhancing QoL, fostering acceptance of illness, and mitigating anxiety symptoms. These findings underscore the hybrid program's potential clinical utility to facilitate the adaptation of people living with HIV/AIDS. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2400087255; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=220729 ", doi="10.2196/65268", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e65268", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39988931" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/68242, author="Pereira, P. Ana and Janela, Dora and Areias, C. Anabela and Molinos, Maria and Tong, Xin and Bento, Virg{\'i}lio and Yanamadala, Vijay and Atherton, Jennesa and Dias Correia, Fernando and Costa, Fab{\'i}ola", title="Innovating Care for Postmenopausal Women Using a Digital Approach for Pelvic Floor Dysfunctions: Prospective Longitudinal Cohort Study", journal="JMIR Mhealth Uhealth", year="2025", month="Apr", day="2", volume="13", pages="e68242", keywords="women's health", keywords="pelvic floor muscle training", keywords="physical therapy", keywords="menopause", keywords="digital therapeutics", keywords="biofeedback", keywords="mobile phone", abstract="Background: The menopause transition is a significant life milestone that impacts quality of life and work performance. Among menopause-related conditions, pelvic floor dysfunctions (PFDs) affect ?40\%?50\% of postmenopausal women, including urinary or fecal incontinence, genito-pelvic pain, and pelvic organ prolapse. While pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is the primary treatment, access barriers leave many untreated, advocating for new care delivery models. Objective: This study aims to assess the outcomes of a digital pelvic program, combining PFMT and education, in postmenopausal women with PFDs. Methods: This prospective, longitudinal study evaluated engagement, safety, and clinical outcomes of a remote digital pelvic program among postmenopausal women (n=3051) with PFDs. Education and real-time biofeedback PFMT sessions were delivered through a mobile app. The intervention was asynchronously monitored and tailored by a physical therapist specializing in pelvic health. Clinical measures assessed pelvic floor symptoms and their impact on daily life (Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire--short form 7, Urinary Impact Questionnaire--short form 7, Colorectal-Anal Impact Questionnaire--short form 7, and Pelvic Organ Prolapse Impact Questionnaire--short form 7), mental health, and work productivity and activity impairment. Structural equation modeling and minimal clinically important change response rates were used for analysis. Results: The digital pelvic program had a high completion rate of 77.6\% (2367/3051), as well as a high engagement and satisfaction level (8.6 out of 10). The safety of the intervention was supported by the low number of adverse events reported (21/3051, 0.69\%). The overall impact of pelvic floor symptoms in participants' daily lives decreased significantly (?19.55 points, 95\% CI ?22.22 to ?16.88; P<.001; response rate of 59.5\%, 95\% CI 54.9\%-63.9\%), regardless of condition. Notably, nonwork-related activities and productivity impairment were reduced by around half at the intervention-end (?18.09, 95\% CI ?19.99 to ?16.20 and ?15.08, 95\% CI ?17.52 to ?12.64, respectively; P<.001). Mental health also improved, with 76.1\% (95\% CI 60.7\%-84.9\%; unadjusted: 97/149, 65.1\%) and 54.1\% (95\% CI 39\%-68.5\%; unadjusted: 70/155, 45.2\%) of participants with moderate to severe symptomatology achieving the minimal clinically important change for anxiety and depression, respectively. Recovery was generally not influenced by the higher baseline symptoms' burden in individuals with younger age, high BMI, social deprivation, and residence in urban areas, except for pelvic health symptoms where lower BMI levels (P=.02) and higher social deprivation (P=.04) were associated with a steeper recovery. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the feasibility, safety, and positive clinical outcomes of a fully remote digital pelvic program to significantly improve PFD symptoms, mental health, and work productivity in postmenopausal women while enhancing equitable access to personalized interventions that empower women to manage their condition and improve their quality of life. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05513417; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05513417 ", doi="10.2196/68242", url="https://mhealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e68242" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/64098, author="Allen, R. Rashell and Malik, A. Myrah and Aquin, Carley and Herceg, Lucijana and Br{\'e}mault-Phillips, Suzette and Sevigny, R. Phillip", title="Digital Health Resilience and Well-Being Interventions for Military Members, Veterans, and Public Safety Personnel: Environmental Scan and Quality Review", journal="JMIR Mhealth Uhealth", year="2025", month="Apr", day="1", volume="13", pages="e64098", keywords="public safety personnel", keywords="veteran", keywords="military member", keywords="web-based program", keywords="resources", keywords="resilience", keywords="mobile app", keywords="quality review", keywords="well-being", keywords="military", keywords="environmental", keywords="review", abstract="Background: Accessible mental health care, delivered via mobile apps or web-based services, may be essential for military members, public safety personnel (PSP), and veterans, as they report numerous barriers to seeking in-person care and are at an increased risk for a number of psychological disorders. Objective: We aimed to identify, describe, and evaluate apps, resource banks (RBs), and web-based programs (WBPs), referred to as digital mental health interventions (DMHIs), recommended for military members, PSP, and veterans. A multidimensional and multisystemic view of resilience and well-being were maintained throughout this environmental scan. Methods: Information was gathered from a comprehensive review of peer-reviewed literature, a Google search, and a targeted search of websites relevant to the study populations. DMHIs aimed at supporting resilience or well-being were included in the review, including those published in peer-reviewed articles, and those offered to these populations without research or literature backing their use. Results: In total, 69 DMHIs were identified in this study, including 42 apps, 19 RBs, and 8 WBPs, and were described based on 3 questions related to purpose, strategies, and evidence from the adapted Mobile App Rating Scale and the Mobile App Rating Scale. Each WBP and RB was then reviewed via the adapted Mobile App Rating Scale and each app via the Alberta Rating Index for Apps (ARIA). Overall, 24 (35\%) of the DMHIs were recommended for military members, 20 (29\%) for PSP, and 41 (59\%) for veterans. The most common aim across apps, RBs, and WBPs was to increase happiness and well-being, and the most common strategies were advice, tips, and skills training. In total, 2 apps recommended for military members---PTSD Coach and Virtual Hope Box---received a high rating on the ARIA subscales and have also been trialed in pilot randomized control trial (RCT) and RCT evaluations, respectively, with positive initial results. Similarly, 2 apps recommended for PSP---PeerConnect and R2MR---have been trialed in non-RCT studies, with partially positive outcomes or little to no contradictory evidence and received a high rating on the ARIA. Finally, 2 apps recommended for veteran populations---PTSD Coach and VetChange---received high ratings on the ARIA and have been trialed via pilot-RCT and RCT studies, respectively, with positive outcomes. Conclusions: In conclusion, there is a need for efficacy and effectiveness trials for DMHIs for military members, PSP, and veterans to ensure that they are effectively meeting the population's needs. While there appears to be many promising DMHIs, further research is needed before these interventions continue to be promoted as effective and widely distributed. ", doi="10.2196/64098", url="https://mhealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e64098", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40168068" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/67539, author="Pettersson, Beatrice and Lundin-Olsson, Lillemor and Skelton, A. Dawn and Liv, Per and Zingmark, Magnus and Rosendahl, Erik and Sandlund, Marlene", title="Effectiveness of the Safe Step Digital Exercise Program to Prevent Falls in Older Community-Dwelling Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Mar", day="31", volume="27", pages="e67539", keywords="geriatric medicine", keywords="aging", keywords="accidental falls", keywords="independent living", keywords="exercise therapy", keywords="fall prevention", keywords="electronic health", keywords="mobile health", keywords="preventive medicine", keywords="self-management", keywords="effectiveness", keywords="randomized controlled trial", keywords="older adults", keywords="digital technology", abstract="Background: Falls among older adults are a significant public health issue due to their high incidence, severe consequences, and substantial economic impact. Exercise programs incorporating balance and functional exercises have been shown to reduce fall rates, but adherence and scaling up the interventions remain challenges. Digital technology offers a promising avenue to deliver this type of exercise, potentially improving exercise adherence and enabling self-management of exercise in the aging population. Objective: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of the Safe Step app, a self-managed, unsupervised, home-based digital exercise program, in reducing fall rates or fall risk in community-dwelling older adults. Additional aims were to describe fall-related injuries in both the exercise and control groups, study attrition, and adherence to the Safe Step exercise program. Methods: Community-dwelling individuals, aged 70 years or older, who had experienced falls or a decline in balance in the past year were randomized to either an exercise group using the Safe Step app combined with educational videos, or a control group receiving educational videos alone. Both interventions lasted for 1 year. Information regarding fall events was self-reported monthly through questionnaires. Exercise adherence was monitored through questionnaires every third month. Negative binomial and logistic regression estimated the incidence rate ratio of fall rate and the risk ratio (RR) of experiencing falls, respectively. Fall-related injuries, study attrition, and exercise adherence were reported descriptively. Results: In total, 1628 people were enrolled in the study, 79\% were women, and the mean age was 75.8 (SD 4.4) years (range 70-94 years). The intention-to-treat analysis showed no significant difference in fall rates between the exercise and control groups after 12 months (2.21 falls per person-year in the exercise group and 2.41 in the control group; incidence rate ratio 0.92, 95\% CI 0.76-1.11; P=.37). The risk of experiencing at least 1 fall was significantly lower (11\%) in the exercise group compared to the control group (53\% vs 59.6\%; RR 0.89, 95\% CI 0.80-0.99; P=.03). No differences were observed regarding the risk of 2 or more falls (34.1\% in the exercise group, 37.1\% in the control group; RR 0.92, 95\% CI 0.79-1.06; P=.23). Injurious fall rates were similar between the exercise and control group. During the trial, 161 (20\%) participants from the exercise group and 63 (8\%) from the control group formally withdrew. The proportion of exercise group participants meeting the 90-minute weekly exercise goal was 12.7\%, 13.4\%, 8.6\%, and 9.1\% at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, respectively. Conclusions: Access to a self-managed unsupervised digital exercise program can be an effective component of a primary fall prevention strategy for community-dwelling older adults. Further research is needed to explore the mediating factors that influence the outcomes and develop strategies that enhance adherence for optimal impact in this population. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03963570; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03963570 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2019-036194 ", doi="10.2196/67539", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e67539" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/64384, author="Wittmar, Silke and Frankenstein, Tom and Timm, Vincent and Frei, Peter and Kurpiers, Nicolas and W{\"o}lwer, Stefan and Sch{\"a}fer, Meender Axel Georg", title="User Experience With a Personalized mHealth Service for Physical Activity Promotion in University Students: Mixed Methods Study", journal="JMIR Form Res", year="2025", month="Mar", day="28", volume="9", pages="e64384", keywords="usability testing", keywords="health promotion", keywords="exercise", keywords="smartphone app", keywords="mHealth", keywords="physical activity", keywords="user experience", keywords="user", keywords="university student", keywords="undergraduate", keywords="college", keywords="student", keywords="mixed methods", keywords="physical fitness", keywords="digital intervention", keywords="mobile health", keywords="promote", keywords="engagement", keywords="mobile phone", abstract="Background: Regular physical activity (PA) is known to offer substantial health benefits, including improved physical fitness, reduced risk of disease, enhanced psychological well-being, and better cognitive performance. Despite these benefits, many university students fail to meet recommended PA levels, risking long-term health consequences. Objective: This study evaluated the user experience (UX) of futur.move, a digital intervention aimed at promoting PA among university students. The service delivers personalized, evidence-based content to foster sustained engagement in PA. Methods: A mixed methods approach was used to evaluate the prototype of futur.move. UX assessments included on-site and online user tests, standardized questionnaires, and online focus groups. A total of 142 university students participated, with 23 joining additional focus groups. Each participant tested the service for 30 minutes. Quantitative data were collected using the User Experience Questionnaire and analyzed descriptively, followed by correlation analysis with variables such as PA level, age, gender, and experience with PA apps. Qualitative insights were gathered from transcribed focus group discussions and analyzed using content-structuring, qualitative content analysis. Quantitative findings were cross-validated with qualitative data. Results: The UX received positive ratings across 4 User Experience Questionnaire scales (range --3 to +3; higher numbers indicate positive UX): attractiveness (median 1.67, IQR 1.04-2.17), perspicuity (median 1.5, IQR 0.5-2), stimulation (median 1.5, IQR 1-2), and novelty (median 1.25, IQR 0.5-2). Weak correlations were found between adherence to World Health Organization guidelines for PA and the perspicuity subscale ($\eta$=0.232, P=.04), and between age and the perspicuity (Kendall $\tau$b=0.132, P=.03) and stimulation subscales (Kendall $\tau$b=0.144, P=.02), and a moderate correlation was found between gender and the novelty subscale ($\eta$=0.363, P=.004). Critical feedback from focus group discussions highlighted issues with manual data entry. Qualitative findings aligned with the quantitative results, emphasizing students' appreciation for the personalized, diverse content and social networking features of futur.move. Conclusions: futur.move demonstrates favorable UX and aligns with student needs, particularly through its personalized content and social features. Improvements should focus on reducing manual data entry and enhancing feature clarity, particularly for the features ``your condition'' and ``goal setting.'' While correlations between UX ratings and demographic variables were weak to moderate, they warrant further investigation to better address the diverse target audience. The feedback from the students serves as a basis for further adapting the service to their needs and expectations. Future work will involve coding an advanced prototype and conducting a longitudinal study to assess its impact on PA behavior and sustained engagement. ", doi="10.2196/64384", url="https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e64384" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/58124, author="Kavanagh, E. Meaghan and Chiavaroli, Laura and Quibrantar, M. Selina and Viscardi, Gabrielle and Ramboanga, Kimberly and Amlin, Natalie and Paquette, Melanie and Sahye-Pudaruth, Sandhya and Patel, Darshna and Grant, M. Shannan and Glenn, J. Andrea and Ayoub-Charette, Sabrina and Zurbau, Andreea and Josse, G. Robert and Malik, S. Vasanti and Kendall, C. Cyril W. and Jenkins, A. David J. and Sievenpiper, L. John", title="Acceptability of a Web-Based Health App (PortfolioDiet.app) to Translate a Nutrition Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease in High-Risk Adults: Mixed Methods Randomized Ancillary Pilot Study", journal="JMIR Cardio", year="2025", month="Mar", day="28", volume="9", pages="e58124", keywords="diet", keywords="apps", keywords="dietary app", keywords="Portfolio Diet", keywords="dietary portfolio", keywords="cholesterol reduction", keywords="cardiovascular disease", keywords="eHealth", keywords="usability", keywords="acceptability", abstract="Background: The Portfolio Diet is a dietary pattern for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk reduction with 5 key categories including nuts and seeds; plant protein from specific food sources; viscous fiber sources; plant sterols; and plant-derived monounsaturated fatty acid sources. To enhance implementation of the Portfolio Diet, we developed the PortfolioDiet.app, an automated, web-based, multicomponent, patient-facing health app that was developed with psychological theory. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effect of the PortfolioDiet.app on dietary adherence and its acceptability among adults with a high risk of CVD over 12 weeks. Methods: Potential participants with evidence of atherosclerosis and a minimum of one additional CVD risk factor in an ongoing trial were invited to participate in a remote web-based ancillary study by email. Eligible participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio using a concealed computer-generated allocation sequence to the PortfolioDiet.app group or a control group for 12 weeks. Adherence to the Portfolio Diet was assessed by weighed 7-day diet records at baseline and 12 weeks using the clinical Portfolio Diet Score, ranging from 0 to 25. Acceptability of the app was evaluated using a multifaceted approach, including usability through the System Usability Scale ranging from 0 to 100, with a score >70 being considered acceptable, and a qualitative analysis of open-ended questions using NVivo 12. Results: In total, 41 participants were invited from the main trial to join the ancillary study by email, of which 15 agreed, and 14 were randomized (8 in the intervention group and 6 in the control group) and completed the ancillary study. At baseline, adherence to the Portfolio Diet was high in both groups with a mean clinical Portfolio Diet Score of 13.2 (SD 3.7; 13.2/25, 53\%) and 13.7 (SD 5.8; 13.7/25, 55\%) in the app and control groups, respectively. After the 12 weeks, there was a tendency for a mean increase in adherence to the Portfolio Diet by 1.25 (SD 2.8; 1.25/25, 5\%) and 0.19 (SD 4.4; 0.19/25, 0.8\%) points in the app and control group, respectively, with no difference between groups (P=.62). Participants used the app on average for 18 (SD 14) days per month and rated the app as usable (System Usability Scale of mean 80.9, SD 17.3). Qualitative analyses identified 4 main themes (user engagement, usability, external factors, and added components), which complemented the quantitative data obtained. Conclusions: Although adherence was higher for the PortfolioDiet.app group, no difference in adherence was found between the groups in this small ancillary study. However, this study demonstrates that the PortfolioDiet.app is considered usable by high-risk adults and may reinforce dietitian advice to follow the Portfolio Diet when it is a part of a trial for CVD management. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02481466; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02481466 ", doi="10.2196/58124", url="https://cardio.jmir.org/2025/1/e58124" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/65863, author="Hagiwara, Yuta and Adachi, Takuji and Kanai, Masashi and Shimizu, Kotoe and Ishida, Shinpei and Miki, Takahiro", title="Interactive Effects of Weight Recording Frequency and the Volume of Chat Communication With Health Care Professionals on Weight Loss in mHealth Interventions for Noncommunicable Diseases: Retrospective Observational Study", journal="Interact J Med Res", year="2025", month="Mar", day="27", volume="14", pages="e65863", keywords="weight change", keywords="behavior modification", keywords="health care communication", keywords="weight recording", keywords="chat communication", keywords="text communication", keywords="health care professionals", keywords="weight loss", keywords="mHealth", keywords="mobile health", keywords="app", keywords="digital health", keywords="smartphone", keywords="mobile health intervention", keywords="noncommunicable disease", keywords="NCD", keywords="weight loss outcome", keywords="obesity", keywords="overweight", keywords="retrospective study", keywords="observational study", keywords="cerebrovascular disease", keywords="cardiovascular disease", keywords="lifestyle modification", keywords="mobile phone", abstract="Background: Mobile health (mHealth) apps are increasingly used for health promotion, particularly for managing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) through behavior modification. Understanding the factors associated with successful weight loss in such interventions can improve program effectiveness. Objective: This study examined factors influencing weight change and the relationship between weight recording frequency and chat volume with health care professionals on weight loss in individuals with obesity and NCDs. Methods: The participants had obesity (BMI ?25 kg/m{\texttwosuperior}) and were diagnosed with NCDs (eg, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia). The program included 12 telephone consultations with health care professionals. Only participants who completed the full 6-month program, including all 12 telephone consultations, and provided an end-of-study weight were included in the analysis. The primary outcome was the rate of weight change, defined as the percentage change in weight from the initial period (first 14 days) to the final period (2 weeks before the last consultation), relative to the initial weight. The key independent variables were proportion of days with weight recording and chat communication volume (total messages exchanged). An interaction term between these variables was included to assess moderation effects in the regression analysis. The volume of communication was measured as the total number of messages exchanged, with each message, regardless of who sent it, being counted as 1 interaction. Health care staffs were instructed to send a single scheduled chat message per week following each biweekly phone consultation. These scheduled messages primarily included personalized feedback, reminders, and motivational support. In addition, providers responded to participant-initiated messages at any time during the program. Furthermore, 1 professional responded to each participant. Hierarchical multiple regression and simple slope analyses were conducted to identify relationships and interactions among these variables. Results: The final analysis of this study included 2423 participants. Significant negative associations were found between the rate of weight change and baseline BMI ($\beta$=?.10; P<.001), proportion of days with weight recording ($\beta$=?.017; P<.001), and communication volume ($\beta$=?.193; P<.001). The interaction between proportion of days with weight recording and chat frequency also showed a significantly negative effect on weight change ($\beta$=?.01; P<.001). Simple slope analysis showed that when the proportion of days with weight recording was +1 SD above the mean, frequent chats were associated with greater weight reduction (slope=?0.60; P<.001), whereas no significant effect was observed at ?1 SD (slope=?0.01; P=.94) Conclusions: The findings suggest that both the proportion of days with weight recording and communication volume independently and interactively influence weight change in individuals with obesity and NCDs. ", doi="10.2196/65863", url="https://www.i-jmr.org/2025/1/e65863" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/60092, author="Wang, Naibo and Wang, Chen and Zhang, Puhong and Li, Yinghua and He, J. Feng and Li, Li and Li, Yuan and Luo, Rong and Wan, Dezhi and Xu, Lewei and Deng, Lifang and Wu, Lei", title="Effectiveness of an mHealth- and School-Based Health Education Program for Salt Reduction (EduSaltS) in China: Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial Within Scale-Up", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Mar", day="27", volume="27", pages="e60092", keywords="school-based health education", keywords="EduSaltS", keywords="mobile health", keywords="salt reduction", keywords="cluster randomized trial", abstract="Background: Globally, cardiovascular diseases are leading causes of mortality and disability, with hypertension being a major risk factor. Reducing salt intake and blood pressure are among the most cost-effective health promotion strategies. While mobile health (mHealth)-- and school-based salt reduction interventions have proven effective in trials, their impact when scaled up in real-world contexts remains uncertain. Objective: We evaluated the effectiveness of the real-world implementation of an mHealth- and school-based health education scale-up program to reduce salt intake (EduSaltS [mHealth and school-based education program to reduce salt intake scaling up in China]). Methods: A parallel cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted from April 2022 to July 2023 across 20 schools in 2 districts and 2 counties within Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, China. Schools were randomized 1:1 to intervention or control groups within each district or county. One third-grade class per school and 26 students per class were randomly sampled. One parent, or alternative family member (aged 18-75 years, residing with the student), of each student was invited to join. The EduSaltS intervention, spanning over 1 academic year, incorporated both app-based health education courses and offline salt reduction activities, with participation monitored through the backend management system. The intervention's effectiveness was assessed by comparing changes in salt intake and blood pressure between groups from baseline to 1-year follow-up using surveys, physical examination, and 24-hour urine tests. Results: Of 524 children (boys: n=288, 54.96\%; age: mean 9.16, SD 0.35 years) and 524 adults (men: n=194, 37.02\%; age: mean 40.99, SD 11.04 years) who completed the baseline assessments in 10 intervention and 10 control schools, 13 (2.48\%) children and 47 (8.97\%) adults were lost to follow-up. All schools and participants showed satisfactory intervention adherence. Measured differences in schoolchildren's salt intake, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure, between the intervention and control schools, were --0.24 g/day (95\% CI --0.82 to 0.33), --0.68 mm Hg (95\% CI --2.32 to 0.95), and --1.37 mm Hg (95\% CI --2.79 to 0.06), respectively. For adults, the intervention group's salt intake decreased from 9.0 (SE 0.2) g/day to 8.3 (SE 0.2) g/day post intervention. Adjusted changes in the intervention (vs control) group in salt intake, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure were --1.06 g/day (95\% CI --1.81 to --0.30), --2.26 mm Hg (95\% CI --4.26 to --0.26), and --2.33 mm Hg (95\% CI --3.84 to --0.82), respectively. Conclusions: The EduSaltS program, delivered through primary schools with a child-to-parent approach, was effective in reducing salt intake and controlling blood pressure in adults, but its effects on children were not significant. While promising for nationwide scaling, further improvements are needed to ensure its effectiveness in reducing salt intake among schoolchildren. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2400079893; https://tinyurl.com/4maz7dyv (retrospectively registered); Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2000039767; https://tinyurl.com/5n6hc4s2 ", doi="10.2196/60092", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e60092", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40017342" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/59953, author="Gicquelais, E. Rachel and Conway, Caitlin and Vjorn, Olivia and Genz, Andrew and Kirk, Gregory and Westergaard, Ryan", title="Mobile Health Tool to Capture Social Determinants of Health and Their Impact on HIV Treatment Outcomes Among People Who Use Drugs: Pilot Feasibility Study", journal="JMIR Form Res", year="2025", month="Mar", day="26", volume="9", pages="e59953", keywords="HIV", keywords="drug use", keywords="social determinants of health", keywords="mobile health", keywords="mHealth", keywords="smartphone", abstract="Background: Active substance use, food or housing insecurity, and criminal legal system involvement can disrupt HIV care for people living with HIV and opioid use disorder (OUD). These social determinants of health are not routinely captured in clinical settings. Objective: We evaluated whether real-time reports of social and behavioral factors using a smartphone app could predict viral nonsuppression and missed care visits to inform future mobile health interventions. Methods: We enrolled 59 participants from the AIDS Linked to the Intravenous Experience (ALIVE) Study in Baltimore, Maryland, into a 12-month substudy between February 2017 and October 2018. Participants were eligible if they had OUD and had either a measured HIV RNA ?1000 copies/mL or a ?1-month lapse in antiretroviral therapy in the preceding 2 years. Participants received a smartphone and reported HIV medication adherence, drug use or injection, and several disruptive life events, including not having a place to sleep at night, skipping a meal due to lack of income, being stopped by police, being arrested, or experiencing violence on a weekly basis, through a survey on a mobile health app. We described weekly survey completion and investigated which factors were associated with viral nonsuppression (HIV RNA ?200 copies/mL) or a missed care visit using logistic regression with generalized estimating equations adjusted for age, gender, smartphone comfort, and drug use. Results: Participants were predominantly male (36/59, 61\%), Black (53/59, 90\%), and had a median of 53 years old. At baseline, 16\% (6/38) were virally unsuppressed. Participants completed an average of 23.3 (SD 16.3) total surveys and reported missing a dose of antiretroviral therapy, using or injecting drugs, or experiencing any disruptive life events on an average of 13.1 (SD 9.8) weekly surveys over 1 year. Reporting use of any drugs (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.3, 95\% CI 1.4?3.7), injecting drugs (aOR 2.3, 95\% CI 1.3?3.9), and noncompletion of all surveys (aOR 1.6, 95\% CI 1.1?2.2) were associated with missing a scheduled care visit over the subsequent 30 days. Missing ?2 antiretroviral medication doses within 1 week was associated with HIV viral nonsuppression (aOR 3.7, 95\% CI: 1.2?11.1) in the subsequent 30 days. Conclusions: Mobile health apps can capture risk factors that predict viral nonsuppression and missed care visits among people living with HIV who have OUD. Using mobile health tools to detect sociobehavioral factors that occur prior to treatment disengagement may facilitate early intervention by health care teams. ", doi="10.2196/59953", url="https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e59953" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/69828, author="Brotto, A. Lori and Stephenson, R. Kyle and Marshall, Nisha and Balvan, Mariia and Okara, Yaroslava and Mahar, A. Elizabeth", title="Evaluating a Digital Health Tool Designed to Improve Low Sexual Desire in Women: Mixed-Methods Implementation Science Study", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Mar", day="25", volume="27", pages="e69828", keywords="implementation science", keywords="sexual interest/arousal disorder (SIAD)", keywords="sexuality", keywords="internet interventions", keywords="online therapy", keywords="telehealth", keywords="online interventions", keywords="web-based therapeutic programs/interventions", keywords="online CBT/MBT treatment", keywords="female sexual dysfunction", keywords="eHealth", abstract="Background: Sexual health difficulties affect up to 30\% of women, with desire and arousal problems being the most prevalent. While cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based therapy are effective treatments, access is limited by barriers such as specialist shortages, cost, and embarrassment. Web-based interventions offer a potential solution by providing self-paced, cost-effective treatments. eSense, a digital health program, offers cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based therapy skills targeted to women with low sexual desire, and previous trials find eSense to be highly feasible and efficacious. Objective: The goal of the present implementation science study was to use the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance of Implementation) framework to assess the integration of eSense into several sexual health clinics. We chose the RE-AIM framework because it addresses both dissemination (eg, reach) and implementation of an intervention. Methods: A total of 14 specialty clinics participated, and we report on the reported experiences of those clinics in implementing eSense. We also examined responses from 12 women on waitlists to receive sex therapy or sexual medicine care. Results: Per clinic outcomes, all aspects of implementation (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance) were in the moderate to high range for clinics, reporting that offering eSense helped them overcome negative feelings associated with their long clinic waitlists. The majority expressed a need for eSense and could see how it overcame the limitations of traditional therapy. Nearly all expressed a wish to continue offering eSense to patients after the implementation study was complete. One caveat was that half of the clinics noted cost as a key issue for future implementation, and one-third noted that the administrative burden of implementing eSense as a standard of care may be challenging. For individual users, the majority expressed an interest in knowing more about eSense and a desire to use eSense, though most of these did not complete the program in its entirety. Users experienced a significant improvement in sex-related distress with no clinically meaningful change in other outcomes and a high level of satisfaction with eSense. Most also reported doing things differently in their sexual lives after participating in eSense. Conclusions: We found that eSense demonstrates potential as a digital intervention for sexual difficulties for women, particularly concerning its moderate implementation outcomes and also because of its ability to reduce sexual distress. Future studies should address the barriers identified for broader adoption of eSense in clinical settings. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05168371; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05168371 ", doi="10.2196/69828", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e69828" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/64826, author="Inderstrodt, Jill and Stumpff, C. Julia and Smollen, C. Rebecca and Sridhar, Shreya and El-Azab, A. Sarah and Ojo, Opeyemi and Bowns, Brendan and Haggstrom, A. David", title="Informatics Interventions for Maternal Morbidity: Scoping Review", journal="Interact J Med Res", year="2025", month="Mar", day="25", volume="14", pages="e64826", keywords="scoping review", keywords="maternal morbidity", keywords="medical informatics", keywords="clinical informatics", keywords="mother", keywords="pregnant", keywords="perinatal", keywords="GDM", keywords="preeclampsia", keywords="maternity", keywords="gestational diabetes mellitus", abstract="Background: Women have been entering pregnancy less healthy than previous generations, placing them at increased risk for pregnancy complications. One approach to ensuring effective monitoring and treatment of at-risk women is designing technology-based interventions that prevent maternal morbidities and treat perinatal conditions. Objective: This scoping review evaluates what informatics interventions have been designed and tested to prevent and treat maternal morbidity. Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched to identify relevant studies. The inclusion criteria were studies that tested a medical or clinical informatics intervention; enrolled adult women; and addressed preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), preterm birth, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention--defined severe maternal morbidity, or perinatal mental health conditions. Demographic, population, and intervention data were extracted to characterize the technologies, conditions, and populations addressed. Results: A total of 80 studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria. Many of the studies tested for multiple conditions. Of these, 73\% (60/82) of the technologies were tested for either GDM or perinatal mental health conditions, and 15\% (12/82) were tested for preeclampsia. For technologies, 32\% (28/87) of the technologies tested were smartphone or tablet applications, 26\% (23/87) were telehealth interventions, and 14\% (12/87) were remote monitoring technologies. Of the many outcomes measured by the studies, almost half (69/140, 49\%) were patient physical or mental health outcomes. Conclusions: Per this scoping review, most informatics interventions address three conditions: GDM, preeclampsia, and mental health. There may be opportunities to treat other potentially lethal conditions like postpartum hemorrhage using proven technologies such as mobile apps. Ample gaps in the literature exist concerning the use of informatics technologies aimed at maternal morbidity. There may be opportunities to use informatics for lesser-targeted conditions and populations. ", doi="10.2196/64826", url="https://www.i-jmr.org/2025/1/e64826" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/57084, author="Eguchi, Kana and Kubota, Takeaki and Koyanagi, Tomoyoshi and Muto, Manabu", title="Real-World Data on Alcohol Consumption Behavior Among Smartphone Health Care App Users in Japan: Retrospective Study", journal="Online J Public Health Inform", year="2025", month="Mar", day="25", volume="17", pages="e57084", keywords="alcohol consumption", keywords="individual behavior", keywords="mobile health", keywords="mobile health app", keywords="mobile health care app log-based survey", keywords="real-world data", keywords="RWD", keywords="RWD analysis", keywords="smartphone health care app", keywords="surveillance system", keywords="health care app", abstract="Background: Although many studies have used smartphone apps to examine alcohol consumption, none have clearly delineated long-term (>1 year) consumption among the general population. Objective: The objective of our study is to elucidate in detail the alcohol consumption behavior of alcohol drinkers in Japan using individual real-world data. During the state of emergency associated with the COVID-19 outbreak, the government requested that people restrict social gatherings and stay at home, so we hypothesize that alcohol consumption among Japanese working people decreased during this period due to the decrease in occasions for alcohol consumption. This analysis was only possible with individual real-world data. We also aimed to clarify the effects of digital interventions based on notifications about daily alcohol consumption. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study targeting 5-year log data from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2022, obtained from a commercial smartphone health care app (CALO mama Plus). First, to investigate the possible size of the real-world data, we investigated the rate of active users of this commercial smartphone app. Second, to validate the individual real-world data recorded in the app, we compared individual real-world data from 9991 randomly selected users with government-provided open data on the number of daily confirmed COVID-19 cases in Japan and with nationwide alcohol consumption data. To clarify the effects of digital interventions, we investigated the relationship between 2 types of notification records (ie, ``good'' and ``bad'') and a 3-day daily alcohol consumption log following the notification. The protocol of this retrospective study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Kyoto University Graduate School and Faculty of Medicine (R4699). ", doi="10.2196/57084", url="https://ojphi.jmir.org/2025/1/e57084", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40131328" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/65498, author="Gao, Yanan and Zhang, Jinxi and He, Zhonghui and Zhou, Zhixiong", title="Feasibility and Usability of an Artificial Intelligence---Powered Gamification Intervention for Enhancing Physical Activity Among College Students: Quasi-Experimental Study", journal="JMIR Serious Games", year="2025", month="Mar", day="24", volume="13", pages="e65498", keywords="physical activity", keywords="gamification", keywords="artificial intelligence", keywords="digital health", keywords="digital intervention", keywords="feasibility study", abstract="Background: Physical activity (PA) is vital for physical and mental health, but many college students fail to meet recommended levels. Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered gamification interventions through mobile app have the potential to improve PA levels among Chinese college students. Objective: This study aimed to assess the feasibility and usability of an AI-powered gamification intervention. Methods: A quasi-experimental study spanning 2 months was conducted on a sample of college students aged 18 to 25 years old from 18 universities in Beijing. PA data were recorded using the ShouTi Fitness app, and participant engagement was evaluated through surveys. User satisfaction was gauged through the System Usability Scale, while the intervention's feasibility was assessed through Spearman rank correlation analysis, Mann-Whitney tests, and additional descriptive analyses. Results: As of July 2023, we enrolled 456 college students. In total, 18,073 PA sessions were recorded, with men completing 8068 sessions and women completing 10,055 sessions. The average PA intensity was 7 metabolic equivalent of energy (MET)s per session. Most participants preferred afternoon sessions and favored short-duration sessions, with men averaging 66 seconds per session and women 42 seconds. The System Usability Scale score for the intervention based on app is 65.2. Users responded positively to the integration of AI and gamification elements, including personalized recommendations, action recognition, smart grouping, dynamic management, collaborative, and competition. Specifically, 341 users (75\%) found the AI features very interesting, 365 (80\%) were motivated by the gamification elements, 364 (80\%) reported that the intervention supported their fitness goals, and 365 (80\%) considered the intervention reliable. A significant positive correlation was observed between the duration of individual PA and intervention duration for men ($\rho$=0.510, P<.001), although the correlation was weaker for women ($\rho$=0.258, P=.046). However, the frequency of PA declined after 35 days. Conclusions: This study provides pioneering evidence of the feasibility and usability of the AI-powered gamification intervention. While adherence was successfully demonstrated, further studies or interventions are needed to directly assess the impact on PA levels and focus on optimizing long-term adherence strategies and evaluating health outcomes. ", doi="10.2196/65498", url="https://games.jmir.org/2025/1/e65498" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/56296, author="Hong, Qiumian and Wei, Shuochi and Duoliken, Hazizi and Jin, Lefan and Zhang, Ning", title="Application of Behavior Change Techniques and Rated Quality of Smoking Cessation Apps in China: Content Analysis", journal="JMIR Mhealth Uhealth", year="2025", month="Mar", day="24", volume="13", pages="e56296", keywords="smoking cessation", keywords="behavior change techniques", keywords="mobile application", keywords="content analysis", keywords="China", abstract="Background: Smoking cessation apps are increasingly being used to help smokers quit smoking. In China, whether behavioral science--based techniques are being incorporated into smoking cessation apps remains unknown. Objectives: This study aims to describe the usage of behavior change techniques (BCTs) among smoking cessation apps available in China and to evaluate the relationship between BCT utilization and the quality of available smoking cessation apps. Methods: We searched eligible smoking cessation apps twice on September 12 and October 4, 2022. We coded them with BCTs and assessed their quality by the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) and rating score in the App Store. We described the quality of each app (ie, engagement, function, esthetic, and information) and the BCTs used within it, as well as the amount and proportion of all BCTs used. Correlation analysis and linear regression analysis were used to assess the association between the number of BCTs used and the quality of apps. Results: Nine apps were included in the final analyses. The average number of BCTs being used was 11.44 (SD 2.57), ranging from 5 to 29. Only 1 app used more than 20 BCTs. The most frequently used BCTs were providing feedback on current smoking behavior (9/9, 100\%), prompting review of goals (8/9, 88.89\%), prompting self-monitoring of one's smoking behavior (7/9, 77.78\%), and assessing current and past smoking behavior (7/9, 77.78\%). The most commonly used BCTS specifically focus on behavior, including BM (B refers to behavior change, M focuses on addressing motivation; 4.44/11, 40.36\%) and BS (B refers to behavior change, S refers to maximizing self-regulatory capacity or skills; 3.78/11, 34.36\%). The average score of MARS for the apps was 3.88 (SD 0.38), ranging from 3.29 to 4.46, which was positively correlated with the number of BCTs used (r=0.79; P=.01). Specifically, more usage of BCTs was associated with higher engagement score ($\beta$=.74; P=.02; R2=0.52) and higher information score ($\beta$=.76; P=.02; R2=0.52). Conclusions: The quality of smoking cessation apps assessed by MARS was correlated with the number of BCTs used. However, overall, the usage of BCTs was insufficient and imbalanced, and the apps demonstrated low quality of engagement and information dimensions. Coordinated efforts from policy makers, technology companies, health behavior professionals, and health care providers should be made to reduce tobacco consumption and to develop high-quality, widely accessible, and effective smoking cessation apps to help smokers quit smoking. ", doi="10.2196/56296", url="https://mhealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e56296" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/56975, author="Brinsley, Jacinta and O'Connor, J. Edward and Singh, Ben and McKeon, Grace and Curtis, Rachel and Ferguson, Ty and Gosse, Georgia and Willems, Iris and Marent, Pieter-Jan and Szeto, Kimberley and Firth, Joseph and Maher, Carol", title="Effectiveness of Digital Lifestyle Interventions on Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Well-Being: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Mar", day="20", volume="27", pages="e56975", keywords="depression", keywords="anxiety", keywords="stress", keywords="well-being", keywords="mental health", keywords="lifestyle intervention", keywords="physical activity", keywords="sleep", keywords="diet", keywords="digital health", keywords="mobile phone", abstract="Background: There is a growing body of robust evidence to show that lifestyle behaviors influence mental health outcomes. Technology offers an accessible and cost-effective implementation method for interventions, yet the study of the effectiveness of interventions to date has been specific to the mode of delivery, population, or behavior. Objective: The primary aim of this review was to comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of digital lifestyle interventions for improving symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and well-being as coprimary outcomes in adults. The secondary aim was to explore the technological, methodological, intervention-specific, and population-specific characteristics that were associated with major changes in mental health outcomes. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across the MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Emcare, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases to identify studies published between January 2013 and January 2023. Randomized controlled trials of lifestyle interventions (physical activity, sleep, and diet) that were delivered digitally; reported changes in symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, or well-being in adults (aged ?18 years); and were published in English were included. Multiple authors independently extracted data, which was evaluated using the 2011 Levels of Evidence from the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. Inverse-variance random-effects meta-analyses were used for data analysis. The primary outcome was the change in symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and well-being as measured by validated self-report of clinician-administered outcomes from pre- to postintervention. Subgroup analyses were conducted to determine whether results differed based on the target lifestyle behavior, delivery method, digital features, design features, or population characteristics. Results: Of the 14,356 studies identified, 61 (0.42\%) were included. Digital lifestyle interventions had a significant small-to-medium effect on depression (standardized mean difference [SMD] ?0.37; P<.001), a small effect on anxiety (SMD ?0.29; P<.001) and stress (SMD ?0.17; P=.04), and no effect on well-being (SMD 0.14; P=.15). Subgroup analyses generally suggested that effects were similar regardless of the delivery method or features used, the duration and frequency of the intervention, the population, or the lifestyle behavior targeted. Conclusions: Overall, these results indicate that delivering lifestyle interventions via a range of digital methods can have significant positive effects on depression (P<.001), anxiety (P<.001), and stress (P=.04) for a broad range of populations, while effects on well-being are inconclusive. Future research should explore how these interventions can be effectively implemented and embedded within health care with a concerted focus on addressing digital health equity. Trial Registration: PROSPERO CRD42023428908; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42023428908 ", doi="10.2196/56975", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e56975" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/64459, author="Kwon, Manjae and Moon, Un Daa and Kang, Minjae and Jung, Young-Chul", title="A Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy--Based Digital Intervention for Reducing Hazardous Alcohol Use in South Korea: Development and Prospective Pilot Study", journal="JMIR Form Res", year="2025", month="Mar", day="19", volume="9", pages="e64459", keywords="alcohol", keywords="hazardous alcohol use", keywords="digital intervention", keywords="cognitive behavioral therapy", keywords="mobile apps", keywords="prevention", keywords="therapy-based", keywords="cognitive behavioral", keywords="alcohol use", keywords="South Korea", keywords="prospective pilot study", keywords="pilot study", keywords="alcohol consumption", keywords="death", keywords="disability", keywords="chronic medical condition", keywords="digital health interventions", keywords="traditional treatment methods", keywords="Korean", keywords="hazardous drinking", keywords="acceptability", keywords="feasibility", keywords="smartphone app", keywords="alcohol use disorder", keywords="psychiatric symptoms", keywords="mobile phone", abstract="Background: Alcohol consumption is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, associated with numerous acute and chronic medical conditions. Digital health interventions offer a promising solution to overcome barriers associated with traditional treatment methods, providing accessible, scalable, and cost-effective means to support individuals in reducing hazardous drinking. Objective: This pilot study aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the Sober smartphone app in individuals with hazardous alcohol use. Methods: This single-group, pre- and postpilot study included 20 participants with risky alcohol use, identified using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test. Participants used the Sober app for 4 weeks, incorporating cognitive behavioral therapy--based interventions. Feasibility was assessed by study and session completion rates, acceptability by participant satisfaction and perceived usefulness, and preliminary efficacy by changes in alcohol consumption and psychiatric symptoms. Semistructured interviews with participants and clinicians provided qualitative perspectives on the app's usability, efficacy, and areas for improvement. Results: Of the 20 enrolled participants, 17 completed the study. The app demonstrated high feasibility with an 85\% (17/20) study completion rate, and 59\% (10/17) completed all cognitive behavioral therapy sessions. Participants reported positive acceptability, with average satisfaction and usefulness ratings of 3.8 and 3.7 of 5, respectively. Preliminary efficacy outcomes showed significant improvements: abstinence days increased from 67\% to 85\% (z=?3.17; P=.002), heavy drinking episodes decreased from 3.3 to 1.9 (t16=?2.97; P=.003), and total alcohol consumption reduced from 456.8 to 195.9 mL (t16=3.16; P=.002). Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test scores dropped from 17.5 to 10.7 (t16=4.51; P<.001). Additionally, depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) scores decreased from 5.8 to 4.4 (t16=2.91; P=.01), and anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7) scores from 3.4 to 2.1 (z=?2.80; P=.005). No adverse events were reported. Qualitative analysis found participants valued daily logging but noted usability issues, while clinicians called for tailored goals, enhanced communication features, and age-specific content. Conclusions: The mobile app Sober shows promise as an effective tool for reducing hazardous alcohol consumption and improving related psychiatric symptoms. The study demonstrated high feasibility and positive acceptability, with significant preliminary efficacy in reducing alcohol use. Qualitative findings provided actionable evidence for refining the app's usability and clinical integration. Further research through a randomized controlled trial is warranted to confirm these findings and optimize the app's features and content. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06502756; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06502756 ", doi="10.2196/64459", url="https://formative.jmir.org/2024/1/e64459" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/55379, author="Vinci, Christine and Sutton, K. Steve and Yang, Min-Jeong and Jones, R. Sarah and Kumar, Santosh and Wetter, W. David", title="Proximal Effects of a Just-in-Time Adaptive Intervention for Smoking Cessation With Wearable Sensors: Microrandomized Trial", journal="JMIR Mhealth Uhealth", year="2025", month="Mar", day="19", volume="13", pages="e55379", keywords="smoking cessation", keywords="mindfulness", keywords="ecological momentary assessment", keywords="micro-randomized trial", keywords="Just-in-Time Adaptive Intervention", keywords="JITAI", keywords="EMA", keywords="ecological momentary", keywords="smoking", keywords="smokers", keywords="quitting", keywords="cessation", keywords="meditation", keywords="mind body", keywords="sensors", keywords="motivational", keywords="tobacco", keywords="nicotine", keywords="NRT", keywords="counseling", keywords="wearables", keywords="abstinence", keywords="stress", keywords="craving", keywords="adaptive intervention", keywords="mobile phone", abstract="Background: Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Novel interventions are needed to improve smoking cessation rates. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for cessation address tobacco use by increasing awareness of the automatic nature of smoking and related behaviors (eg, reactivity to triggers for smoking) from a nonjudgmental stance. Delivering MBIs for smoking cessation via innovative technologies allows for flexibility in the timing of intervention delivery, which has the potential to improve the efficacy of cessation interventions. Research shows MBIs target key mechanisms in the smoking cessation process and can be used to minimize drivers of smoking lapse. Objective: This single-arm study investigated the impact of mindfulness-based strategies and motivational messages on proximal outcomes, collected via ecological momentary assessment (EMA), relevant to tobacco abstinence via a microrandomized trial. This approach allows for the evaluation of intervention content on proximal outcomes (eg, reduced negative affect) that are thought to impact positive distal outcomes (eg, smoking abstinence). Methods: All participants were motivated to quit smoking, and the intervention they received included nicotine replacement therapy, brief individual counseling, and a 2-week Just-in-Time Adaptive Intervention (JITAI) with wearable sensors. Throughout the JITAI period, a single strategy was randomly pushed (vs not) multiple times per day through the smartphone application. An EMA next assessed negative affect, positive affect, mindfulness, abstinence self-efficacy, motivation to quit, craving, and smoking motives. The primary analyses evaluated differences in EMA outcomes (proximal) for when a strategy was pushed versus not pushed. Additional analyses evaluated changes in similar outcomes collected from surveys at the baseline and end-of-treatment visits. Results: Participants (N=38) were 63\% (24/38) female, 18\% (7/38) Hispanic or Latino, and 29\% (11/38) African American. They had an average age of 49 years and smoked an average of 15 (SD 7.9) cigarettes per day. Results indicated that receiving the JITAI significantly reduced proximal negative affect in the second (and final) week of the intervention. Self-reports provided at baseline and end of treatment showed significant decreases in perceived stress, automaticity of smoking and craving, and a significant increase in abstinence self-efficacy. Increases in abstinence self-efficacy significantly predicted abstinence. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to test the proximal impact of a mindfulness-based JITAI on key variables associated with smoking cessation. Our primary finding was that negative affect was lower following the completion of a strategy (vs when no strategy was delivered) in the final week of the JITAI. Among a larger sample size, future research should extend the length of the intervention to further evaluate the impact of the JITAI, as well as include a comparison condition to further evaluate how each component of the intervention uniquely impacts outcomes. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03404596; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03404596 ", doi="10.2196/55379", url="https://mhealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e55379" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/63148, author="Kirouac, Megan and Gillezeau, Christina", title="Preferences for Mobile Apps That Aim to Modify Alcohol Use: Thematic Content Analysis of User Reviews", journal="JMIR Mhealth Uhealth", year="2025", month="Mar", day="19", volume="13", pages="e63148", keywords="alcohol mobile app", keywords="mHealth", keywords="alcohol use disorder", keywords="user-centered design", keywords="alcohol", keywords="user-centered", keywords="user", keywords="reviews", keywords="usefulness", keywords="mobile health app", keywords="content analysis", keywords="drinking", keywords="health tool", abstract="Background: Nearly one-third of adults in the United States will meet criteria for alcohol use disorder in their lifetime, yet fewer than 10\% of individuals who meet for alcohol use disorder criteria will receive treatment for it. Mobile health (mHealth) applications (apps) have been suggested as a potential mechanism for closing this treatment gap, yet there is a wide variety of quality and integrity within these apps, leading to potential harms to users. Objectives: The aim of this paper is to systematically record and qualitatively examine user reviews or mHealth apps to identify features in the existing apps that may impact usefulness and adoption of them. Methods: The researchers used Apple App and Google Play stores to identify mHealth apps that were focused on modifying alcohol use and treating common comorbidities. Apps that were free without in-app purchases and provided multiple features for users were included. User reviews from the apps were downloaded and coded using content analysis. Results: A total of 425 unique apps were found in our search. Of these, the majority of apps (n=301) were excluded from the present analyses for not focusing on reducing alcohol-related concerns (eg, many apps were for purchasing alcohol). Eight apps were identified and had user reviews downloaded. The apps examined in this study were VetChange, SMART, DrinkCoach, SayingWhen, AlcoStat, Celebrate Recovery, TryDry, and Construction Industry Helpline. A total of 370 reviews were downloaded and 1353 phrases were coded from those reviews into a total of 11 codes. The 5 most common themes identified were praise (498 counts coded; 36.831\%), tools (150 counts coded; 11.062\%), suggestions for improvement (118 counts coded; 8.756\%), criticism (105 counts coded; 7.768\%), and tracking (104 counts coded; 7.724\%). Conclusions: The current findings suggest that alcohol mobile app users broadly found the apps helpful in reducing their drinking or meeting their drinking goals. Users were able to identify features that they liked or found helpful in the apps, as well as provide concrete feedback about features that they would like included or improved. Specifically, flexible and expansive tracking features and comprehensive whole health tools were cited as valuable and desired. App developers and those looking to expand access to and uptake of alcohol reduction apps may find these user reviews helpful in guiding their app development. ", doi="10.2196/63148", url="https://mhealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e63148" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/69264, author="Usui, Rui and Aomori, Maki and Kanamori, Shogo and Watabe, Setsuko and Sehi, Jamal Bi Tra and Kawano, Kei and Kanoya, Yuka", title="Evaluation of a Smartphone-Based Weight Loss Intervention with Telephone Support for Merchant Women With Obesity in C{\^o}te d'Ivoire: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial", journal="JMIR Res Protoc", year="2025", month="Mar", day="18", volume="14", pages="e69264", keywords="West Africa", keywords="sub-Saharan Africa", keywords="obesity", keywords="noncommunicable diseases", keywords="mHealth", keywords="mobile health", keywords="eHealth", keywords="randomized controlled trial", keywords="C{\^o}te d'Ivoire", keywords="weight loss program", abstract="Background: The obesity rate among women in C{\^o}te d'Ivoire is rising, particularly in urban areas. Merchantry is the leading occupation for women in the country, and merchant women face a high risk of obesity owing to their sedentary lifestyle. A previous survey indicated that the obesity rate among merchant women was 30\%, double the national average. Furthermore, 82.2\% of merchant women with obesity were unaware of their condition, and 40.1\% expressed no interest in losing weight. While most weight loss programs target individuals ready to lose weight, community interventions should also address those with minimal readiness. Additionally, low-cost weight-loss interventions that do not require health professionals are needed in countries with limited medical resources. Smartphones could offer a cost-effective solution as they enable self-monitoring and remote communication. Objective: This study will evaluate a low-cost smartphone-based intervention that targets individuals who are not ready to lose weight without the involvement of health professionals. Methods: The intervention will run for 6 months, and its efficacy will be assessed in an unblinded, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial with 108 participants per group. All direct interventions for participants in this study will be carried out by staff without medical qualifications. The intervention group will receive weighing scales and be encouraged to record their weight with a smartphone app. Health education will be provided via weekly group messages and monthly phone calls. The evaluation will be conducted face-to-face. The primary outcome will be the weight change, and the secondary outcome will be differences in body fat percentage, abdominal circumference, and stage of behavioral change in weight loss behaviors from baseline to 3, 6, and 12 months. Results: In accordance with this protocol, the recruitment of participants started on August 26, 2024. A total of 216 participants were allocated, with 108 in the intervention group and 108 in the control group. The baseline survey began on November 15, 2024, and is currently ongoing as of the end of November 2024. Conclusions: This study will be the first in sub-Saharan African countries to implement a smartphone app-based weight loss program in sub-Saharan Africa that does not require direct intervention by health care professionals but specifically targets communities. Furthermore, if the effectiveness of this program is confirmed, it has the potential to serve as a low-cost sustainable weight loss model at the policy level. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/69264 ", doi="10.2196/69264", url="https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e69264" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/67972, author="Kariuki, Jacob and Burke, Lora and Erickson, Kirk and Sereika, Susan and Paul, Sudeshna and Cheng, Jessica and Biza, Heran and Abdirahman, Amjad and Wilbraham, Katherine and Milton, Heather and Brown, Cornelius and Sells, Matthew and Osei Baah, Foster and Wells, Jessica and Chandler, Rasheeta and Barone Gibbs, Bethany", title="Acceptability and Preliminary Efficacy of a Novel Web-Based Physical Activity for the Heart (PATH) Intervention Designed to Promote Physical Activity in Adults With Obesity: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial", journal="JMIR Res Protoc", year="2025", month="Mar", day="18", volume="14", pages="e67972", keywords="obesity", keywords="physical activity", keywords="cardiometabolic risk, body positivity, cardiovascular fitness, self-efficacy", abstract="Background: Even in the absence of weight loss, any level of physical activity (PA) can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease among individuals with obesity. However, these individuals face multifaceted barriers that reduce their motivation and engagement in PA. They prefer programs that are convenient, fun to engage in, and feature people who they can relate to. Yet, there is a paucity of PA interventions that are designed to incorporate these preferences. We designed the web-based PA for The Heart (PATH) intervention to address this gap. Objective: This study aimed to describe the protocol of a study that aims to examine the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of PATH intervention among insufficiently active adults with obesity aged at least 18 years. Methods: This is a 6-month pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT), using a parallel design with 1:1 allocation to intervention or control group. The PATH intervention group is given access to the PATH platform, but the resources each participant can access are tailored according to their baseline fitness level. Control group receives a self-help PA handout. Both groups self-monitor their PA using Fitbit (Google) and have Zoom (Zoom Video Communications) meetings twice a month with either the health coach (intervention) or study coordinator (control). The outcomes at 6-months include acceptability, changes in PA, and cardiometabolic risk from baseline to 6-months. Results: We screened 763 individuals for eligibility and 89 participants were enrolled and randomized to the intervention (45/504, 50.6\%) and control arms (44/504, 49.4\%). The average age was 48.7 (SD 12.17) years, and most participants were female (81/504, 90.1\%), Black (45/504, 50.6\%), and non-Hispanic (83/504, 93.3\%). No systematic differences in baseline characteristics were observed between the study arms. The 6-month intervention is currently underway, and the completion of follow-up data collection is expected in February 2025, with results to be published soon after. Conclusions: The PATH intervention offers a promising, evidence-based approach to overcoming the barriers that have hindered previous PA programs for adults with obesity. It can support new and existing programs to foster long-term maintenance of health-enhancing PA. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05803304; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05803304 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/67972 ", doi="10.2196/67972", url="https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e67972" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/66294, author="Russell, Eilidh and Kirk, Alison and Dunlop, D. Mark and Hodgson, William and Patience, Mhairi and Egan, Kieren", title="Digital Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Interventions for Community-Living Adults: Umbrella Review", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Mar", day="18", volume="27", pages="e66294", keywords="physical activity", keywords="sedentary behavior", keywords="digital health interventions", keywords="behavior change", keywords="theoretical frameworks", keywords="umbrella review", keywords="mobile phone", keywords="community-living adults", abstract="Background: Digital interventions hold significant potential for improving physical activity (PA) and reducing sedentary behavior (SB) in adults. Despite increasing interest, there remain surprising gaps in the current knowledge of how best to deliver these interventions, including incorporating appropriate theoretical frameworks and behavior change techniques. Following numerous systematic reviews, there is now significant potential for umbrella reviews to provide an overview of the current evidence. Objective: This umbrella review aimed to explore digital PA and SB interventions for community-living adults across effectiveness, key components, and methodological quality. Methods: This review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute framework for umbrella reviews. Key search terms were developed iteratively, incorporating physical and sedentary activity alongside digital interventions. We searched 7 online databases (Web of Science Core Collection, CINAHL, APA PsycINFO, Inspec, the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE [Ovid], and PROSPERO) alongside gray literature databases. Information was extracted and tabulated from each included article on intervention effectiveness, key components, and content acknowledging both the digital and human elements. The study quality was appraised using A Measurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR 2). The corrected covered area method was used to assess the overlap of primary studies included in the systematic reviews. All relevant research findings were extracted and reported. Results: Search terms identified 330 articles, of which 5 (1.5\%) met the inclusion criteria. The most common PA outcomes identified were daily steps, moderate-to-vigorous PA, total PA, and PA change. Reviews with meta-analysis reported that digital interventions improved multiple PA outcomes (daily steps, moderate-to-vigorous PA time, and total PA time). However, findings from the remaining systematic reviews were mixed. Similarly, the findings for SB were contrasting. Regarding intervention components, monitor- and sensor-only intervention delivery methods were most frequently implemented. Eleven theoretical frameworks were identified, with social cognitive theory being the most prominent theory. In total, 28 different behavior change techniques were reported, with goal setting, self-monitoring, feedback, and social support being the most frequently used. All 5 systematic reviews were of low or critically low quality, each incorporating unique primary studies (corrected covered area=0\%). Conclusions: This umbrella review highlights the potential of digital interventions to increase PA and reduce SB among community-living adults. However, the disparate nature of current academic knowledge means potentially efficacious research may not realistically translate to real work impact. Our review identified a lack of consensus around outcomes and components at both individual (eg, difficult to collate and compare findings) and multiple study (poor reported quality of systematic reviews) levels. Collective, concerted action is required to standardize outcomes and improve systematic review reporting to optimize future learning around digital interventions to increase PA and reduce SB in community-living adults, including traditionally overlooked populations, like informal carers. Trial Registration: PROSPERO CRD42023450773; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42023450773 ", doi="10.2196/66294", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e66294" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/70982, author="Amirabdolahian, Saeed and Pare, Guy and Tams, Stefan", title="Digital Wellness Programs in the Workplace: Meta-Review", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Mar", day="14", volume="27", pages="e70982", keywords="digital wellness programs", keywords="corporate wellness", keywords="health interventions", keywords="efficacy", keywords="acceptability", keywords="meta-review", keywords="mHealth", keywords="eHealth", abstract="Background: Corporate wellness programs are increasingly using digital technologies to promote employee health. Digital wellness programs (DWPs) refer to initiatives that deliver health interventions through digital tools. Despite a growing body of evidence on DWPs, the literature remains fragmented across multiple health domains. Objective: This study aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis of existing research on the efficacy (eg, impact on employee's physical health, mental well-being, behavioral changes, and absenteeism) and acceptability (eg, engagement, perceived usefulness, and adoption) of employer-provided DWPs. Specifically, we aim to map the extent, range, and nature of research on this topic; summarize key findings; identify gaps; and facilitate knowledge dissemination. Methods: We conducted a meta-review of studies published between 2000 and 2023. We adopted a database-driven search approach, including the MEDLINE, PsycINFO, ProQuest Central, and Web of Science Core Collection databases. The inclusion criteria consisted of (1) review articles; (2) publications in English, French, or German; (3) studies reporting on digital health interventions implemented in organizations; (4) studies reporting on nonclinical or preclinical employee populations; and (5) studies assessing the efficacy and acceptability of employer-provided DWPs. We performed a descriptive numerical summary and thematic analysis of the included studies. Results: Out of 593 nonduplicate studies screened, 29 met the inclusion criteria. The most investigated health domains included mental health (n=19), physical activity (n=8), weight management (n=6), unhealthy behavior change (n=4), and sleep management (n=2). In total, 24 reviews focused on the efficacy of DWPs, primarily in relation to health-related outcomes (eg, stress and weight), while fewer reviews addressed organization-related outcomes (eg, burnout and absenteeism). Four reviews explored the mechanisms of action, and 3 assessed the acceptability of DWPs using various measures. Overall, the findings support the efficacy and acceptability of DWPs, although significant gaps persist, particularly regarding the durability of outcomes, the role of technology, and the causal mechanisms underlying behavioral change. Conclusions: While DWPs show promise across a variety of health domains, several aspects of their effectiveness remain underexplored. Practitioners should capitalize on existing evidence of successful DWPs while acknowledging the limitations in the literature. ", doi="10.2196/70982", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e70982" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/64664, author="Brobbin, Eileen and Drummond, Colin and Parkin, Stephen and Deluca, Paolo", title="Use of Wearable Transdermal Alcohol Sensors for Monitoring Alcohol Consumption After Detoxification With Contingency Management: Pilot Randomized Feasibility Trial", journal="JMIR Hum Factors", year="2025", month="Mar", day="14", volume="12", pages="e64664", keywords="alcohol", keywords="alcohol dependence", keywords="alcohol monitoring", keywords="alcohol treatment", keywords="contingency management", keywords="transdermal alcohol sensor", keywords="transdermal technology", keywords="wearable", keywords="wearable alcohol biosensor", abstract="Background: Wearable transdermal alcohol sensor (TAS) devices generate continuous data on alcohol consumption through the indiscernible sweat vapors on the skin. This continuous alcohol monitoring capability could provide a new method for alcohol services to monitor service users at various stages of their alcohol treatment. Objective: We aimed to assess the feasibility of using a TAS as part of alcohol treatment with alcohol service users using the device with or without contingency management (CM). Methods: A feasibility study was conducted of a convenience sample of 29 current service users from 3 South London alcohol services. Participants were randomized into either a control (treatment as usual) or CM group (treatment as usual+CM). We assessed the feasibility of enrollment, participation, device tampering and return, and device wearability and the accuracy of data capture. These data were reported descriptively where appropriate, the groups were compared, and alcohol self-report data were compared to the transdermal alcohol concentration to assess accuracy. Results: A total of 34 individuals were approached, and 32 (94\%) were enrolled and randomized (n=17, 53\% to the control group and n=15, 47\% to the CM group) over 5 months. In total, 3 participants withdrew (n=2, 67\% from the control group and n=1, 33\% from the CM group). There was a total of 203 meetings arranged (29 participants {\texttimes} 7 meetings), and 185 (91.1\%) were attended. Only 1 of the 29 participants (3\%) admitted to turning the TAS off to avoid monitoring. There were some issues with the TAS not functioning properly and not being able to be cleaned. Removals were recorded, but the definition of TAS removal may need to be improved for future trials. There was a high TAS return rate (28/29, 97\% of the participants returned the TAS). Secondary outcomes suggest that the BACtrack Skyn remains an accurate tool to monitor alcohol consumption compared to self-report data and that it is acceptable to wearers over 2 weeks, with many participants (27/28, 96\%) answering that they would wear it again and for longer but that the CM procedure could be made clearer. Conclusions: The delivery of CM via a TAS was feasible in this study, but recommendations for a future larger trial include that the study design should be changed to provide an operationalized rather than manual method of checking whether TAS data meet CM criteria. This would reduce researcher burden and researcher and participant time. Current recruitment and research meeting design seem suitable for a future larger trial. Trial Registration: International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) ISRCTN46845361; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN46845361 ", doi="10.2196/64664", url="https://humanfactors.jmir.org/2025/1/e64664" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/65228, author="Isaac, Fadia and Klein, Britt and Nguyen, Huy and Watson, Shaun and Kennedy, A. Gerard", title="Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy--Based Treatment for Insomnia, Nightmares, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in Survivors of Wildfires: Pilot Randomized Feasibility Trial", journal="JMIR Hum Factors", year="2025", month="Mar", day="14", volume="12", pages="e65228", keywords="insomnia", keywords="nightmares", keywords="posttraumatic stress disorder", keywords="PTSD", keywords="wildfires", keywords="cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia", keywords="CBTi", keywords="exposure, relaxation, and rescripting therapy", keywords="ERRT", keywords="Sleep Best-i", keywords="mobile health", keywords="mHealth", keywords="digital health", keywords="computer", keywords="eHealth", keywords="bushfires", abstract="Background: Symptoms of insomnia, nightmares, and trauma are highly prevalent. However, there are significant barriers to accessing evidence-based treatments for these conditions, leading to poor mental health outcomes. Objective: This pilot trial evaluated the feasibility of a 4-week, digital self-paced intervention combining cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia and exposure, relaxation, and rescripting therapy for nightmares in survivors of wildfires from Australia, Canada, and the United States. Methods: Study participants were recruited between May 2023 and December 2023 through social media platforms, workshops, conferences, and radio interviews. Participants had to meet at least one of the following criteria: a score of ?8 on the Insomnia Severity Index, a score of ?3 on the Nightmare Disorder Index, or a score of ?31 on the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5. In total, 30 survivors of wildfires were allocated to either the treatment group (n=16, 53\%) or the waitlist control group (n=14, 47\%) in a sequential manner. Participants' ages ranged from 18 to 79 years, with a mean age of 52.50 (SD 16.26) years. The cohort consisted of 63\% (19/30) female and 37\% (11/30) male participants. Participants also completed self-report secondary outcome measures, including the Generalized Anxiety Disorder--7, the Patient Health Questionnaire--9, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, via the HealthZone digital platform. Assessments were conducted at baseline, the posttreatment time point, and the 3-month follow-up, with the waitlist group undergoing an additional assessment at the pretreatment time point, after 4 weeks of waiting and before crossing over to treatment. This study used intention-to-treat analysis as a primary analysis and per-protocol analysis as a secondary analysis. Results: Mixed-effects linear regression models and difference-in-differences analyses were used to assess the intervention's effects. The intention-to-treat analysis revealed significant improvements over time (main effect of time), with a 1.64-point reduction (P=.001) on the Nightmare Disorder Index and 10.64-point reduction (P=.009) on the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 at the postintervention time point. No significant changes were observed in insomnia symptoms. On the secondary measures, there was an interaction effect of condition {\texttimes} time, with a 2.22-point reduction (P<.001) on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and a main effect of time, with a 6.48-point reduction (P<.001) on the Patient Health Questionnaire--9. No changes were detected on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder--7. The per-protocol analysis yielded comparable results for both the primary and secondary measures. Conclusions: The findings of this pilot trial demonstrated a reduction in nightmares and trauma symptoms. Future research studies should aim at evaluating the intervention in a more definitive trial with a larger sample size. Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12623000415606; https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=385054 ", doi="10.2196/65228", url="https://humanfactors.jmir.org/2025/1/e65228" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/66580, author="Wang, Jianing and Tang, Nu and Jin, Congcong and Yang, Jianxue and Zheng, Xiangpeng and Jiang, Qiujing and Li, Shengping and Xiao, Nian and Zhou, Xiaojun", title="Association of Digital Health Interventions With Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Mar", day="14", volume="27", pages="e66580", keywords="digital health", keywords="telemedicine", keywords="telehealth", keywords="mobile health", keywords="mHealth", keywords="mobile phone", keywords="intervention", keywords="meta-analysis", keywords="pregnant women", keywords="systematic review", abstract="Background: Gestational weight gain (GWG) is crucial to maternal and neonatal health, yet many women fail to meet recommended guidelines, increasing the risk of complications. Digital health interventions offer promising solutions, but their effectiveness remains uncertain. This study evaluates the impact of such interventions on GWG and other maternal and neonatal outcomes. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of digital health interventions among pregnant women and newborns. Methods: A total of 2 independent researchers performed electronic literature searches in the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases to identify eligible studies published from their inception until February 2024; an updated search was conducted in August 2024. The studies included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to maternal and neonatal clinical outcomes. The Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials was used to examine the risk of publication bias. Stata (version 15.1; StataCorp) was used to analyze the data. Results: We incorporated 42 pertinent RCTs involving 148,866 participants. In comparison to the routine care group, GWG was markedly reduced in the intervention group (standardized mean difference--0.19, 95\% CI --0.25 to --0.13; P<.001). A significant reduction was observed in the proportion of women with excessive weight gain (odds ratio [OR] 0.79, 95\% CI 0.69-0.91; P=.001), along with an increase in the proportion of women with adequate weight gain (OR 1.33, 95\% CI 1.10-1.64; P=.003). Although no significant difference was reported for the proportion of individuals below standardized weight gain, there is a significant reduction in the risk of miscarriage (OR 0.66, 95\% CI 0.46-0.95; P=.03), preterm birth (OR 0.8, 95\% CI 0.75-0.86; P<.001), as well as complex neonatal outcomes (OR 0.93, 95\% CI 0.87-0.99; P=.02). Other maternal and fetal outcomes were not significantly different between the 2 groups (all P>.05). Conclusions: The findings corroborate our hypothesis that digitally facilitated health care can enhance certain facets of maternal and neonatal outcomes, particularly by mitigating excessive weight and maintaining individuals within a reasonable weight gain range. Therefore, encouraging women to join the digital health team sounds feasible and helpful. Trial Registration: PROSPERO CRD42024564331; https://tinyurl.com/5n6bshjt ", doi="10.2196/66580", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e66580" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/66637, author="Downs, Symons Danielle and Pauley, M. Abigail and Rivera, E. Daniel and Savage, S. Jennifer and Moore, M. Amy and Shao, Danying and Chow, Sy-Miin and Lagoa, Constantino and Pauli, M. Jaimey and Khan, Owais and Kunselman, Allen", title="Healthy Mom Zone Adaptive Intervention With a Novel Control System and Digital Platform to Manage Gestational Weight Gain in Pregnant Women With Overweight or Obesity: Study Design and Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial", journal="JMIR Res Protoc", year="2025", month="Mar", day="13", volume="14", pages="e66637", keywords="pregnancy", keywords="gestational weight gain", keywords="physical activity", keywords="healthy eating", keywords="overweight", keywords="obesity", keywords="intervention", abstract="Background: Regulating gestational weight gain (GWG) in pregnant women with overweight or obesity is difficult, particularly because of the narrow range of recommended GWG for optimal health outcomes. Given that many pregnant women show excessive GWG and considering the lack of a ``gold standard'' intervention to manage GWG, there is a timely need for effective and efficient approaches to regulate GWG. We have enhanced the Healthy Mom Zone (HMZ) 2.0 intervention with a novel digital platform, automated dosage changes, and personalized strategies to regulate GWG, and our pilot study demonstrated successful recruitment, compliance, and utility of our new control system and digital platform. Objective: The goal of this paper is to describe the study protocol for a randomized controlled optimization trial to examine the efficacy of the enhanced HMZ 2.0 intervention with the new automated control system and digital platform to regulate GWG and influence secondary maternal and infant outcomes while collecting implementation data to inform future scalability. Methods: This is an efficacy study using a randomized controlled trial design. HMZ 2.0 is a multidosage, theoretically based, and individually tailored adaptive intervention that is delivered through a novel digital platform with an automated link of participant data to a new model-based predictive control algorithm to predict GWG. Our new control system computes individual dosage changes and produces personalized physical activity (PA) and energy intake (EI) strategies to deliver just-in-time dosage change recommendations to regulate GWG. Participants are 144 pregnant women with overweight or obesity randomized to an intervention (n=72) or attention control (n=72) group, stratified by prepregnancy BMI (<29.9 vs ?30 kg/m2), and they will participate from approximately 8 to 36 weeks of gestation. The sample size is based on GWG (primary outcome) and informed by our feasibility trial showing a 21\% reduction in GWG in the intervention group compared to the control group, with 3\% dropout. Secondary outcomes include PA, EI, sedentary and sleep behaviors, social cognitive determinants, adverse pregnancy and delivery outcomes, infant birth weight, and implementation outcomes. Analyses will include descriptive statistics, time series and fixed effects meta-analytic approaches, and mixed effects models. Results: Recruitment started in April 2024, and enrollment will continue through May 2027. The primary (GWG) and secondary (eg, maternal and infant health) outcome results will be analyzed, posted on ClinicalTrials.gov, and published after January 2028. Conclusions: Examining the efficacy of the novel HMZ 2.0 intervention in terms of GWG and secondary outcomes expands the boundaries of current GWG interventions and has high clinical and public health impact. There is excellent potential to further refine HMZ 2.0 to scale-up use of the novel digital platform by clinicians as an adjunct treatment in prenatal care to regulate GWG in all pregnant women. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/66637 ", doi="10.2196/66637", url="https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e66637" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/65001, author="Huang, Tracy and Ngan, Chun-Kit and Cheung, Ting Yin and Marcotte, Madelyn and Cabrera, Benjamin", title="A Hybrid Deep Learning--Based Feature Selection Approach for Supporting Early Detection of Long-Term Behavioral Outcomes in Survivors of Cancer: Cross-Sectional Study", journal="JMIR Bioinform Biotech", year="2025", month="Mar", day="13", volume="6", pages="e65001", keywords="machine learning", keywords="data driven", keywords="clinical domain--guided framework", keywords="survivors of cancer", keywords="cancer", keywords="oncology", keywords="behavioral outcome predictions", keywords="behavioral study", keywords="behavioral outcomes", keywords="feature selection", keywords="deep learning", keywords="neural network", keywords="hybrid", keywords="prediction", keywords="predictive modeling", keywords="patients with cancer", keywords="deep learning models", keywords="leukemia", keywords="computational study", keywords="computational biology", abstract="Background: The number of survivors of cancer is growing, and they often experience negative long-term behavioral outcomes due to cancer treatments. There is a need for better computational methods to handle and predict these outcomes so that physicians and health care providers can implement preventive treatments. Objective: This study aimed to create a new feature selection algorithm to improve the performance of machine learning classifiers to predict negative long-term behavioral outcomes in survivors of cancer. Methods: We devised a hybrid deep learning--based feature selection approach to support early detection of negative long-term behavioral outcomes in survivors of cancer. Within a data-driven, clinical domain--guided framework to select the best set of features among cancer treatments, chronic health conditions, and socioenvironmental factors, we developed a 2-stage feature selection algorithm, that is, a multimetric, majority-voting filter and a deep dropout neural network, to dynamically and automatically select the best set of features for each behavioral outcome. We also conducted an experimental case study on existing study data with 102 survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (aged 15-39 years at evaluation and >5 years postcancer diagnosis) who were treated in a public hospital in Hong Kong. Finally, we designed and implemented radial charts to illustrate the significance of the selected features on each behavioral outcome to support clinical professionals' future treatment and diagnoses. Results: In this pilot study, we demonstrated that our approach outperforms the traditional statistical and computation methods, including linear and nonlinear feature selectors, for the addressed top-priority behavioral outcomes. Our approach holistically has higher F1, precision, and recall scores compared to existing feature selection methods. The models in this study select several significant clinical and socioenvironmental variables as risk factors associated with the development of behavioral problems in young survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Conclusions: Our novel feature selection algorithm has the potential to improve machine learning classifiers' capability to predict adverse long-term behavioral outcomes in survivors of cancer. ", doi="10.2196/65001", url="https://bioinform.jmir.org/2025/1/e65001", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40080820" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/60436, author="M{\"a}nnist{\"o}, A. Siniriikka and Pietil{\"a}inen, H. Kirsi and Muotka, Joona and Suojanen, Laura-Unnukka and Lappalainen, Raimo and Korpela, Riitta", title="Coach-Assisted eHealth With Group or Individual Support for Employees With Obesity: Randomized Controlled Trial on Weight, Body Composition, and Health Metrics", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Mar", day="12", volume="27", pages="e60436", keywords="eHealth", keywords="weight loss", keywords="acceptance and commitment therapy", keywords="weight-neutral", keywords="Healthy Weight Coaching", keywords="occupational health", keywords="digital health", keywords="body composition", keywords="obesity", keywords="psychobehavioral", keywords="intervention", keywords="health care", keywords="metabolic health", keywords="physiological change", abstract="Background: Acceptance and commitment therapy provides a psychobehavioral framework feasible for digital and hybrid weight loss interventions. In face-to-face studies, group-based interventions yield more favorable outcomes than individual interventions, but the effect of the intervention form has not been studied in combination with eHealth. Objective: This study investigated whether a minimal, 3-session group or individual enhancement could provide additional benefits compared to an eHealth-only intervention when assessing weight, body composition, and laboratory metrics in a sample of occupational health patients with obesity. Methods: This study was a randomized controlled trial with a 12-month intervention, followed by a 12-month follow-up period without additional support (March 2021 to March 2023). Recruited from occupational health care for Finnish municipal employees, 111 working-age adults with a BMI of 30-40 kg/m2 were randomized to 1 of the 3 treatment arms: eHealth, eHealth+group, or eHealth+individual. All treatment arms received a web-administrated, coach-assisted eHealth program based on acceptance and commitment therapy, and additionally, the eHealth+group and eHealth+individual arms received 3 remotely facilitated group or individual meetings with their designated coach. The participants were assessed for weight, body composition, blood pressure, and laboratory measurements at 0-, 6-, 12-, and 24-month time points. Applying estimated means to decrease bias caused by dropouts, generalized estimating equations were used to study the differences between the 3 groups over time. Results: There were no between-group differences in primary measurements of weight change or categorical weight change. Secondary outcomes also did not show changes attributable to the intervention arm. Across the entire sample, the total weight loss was 1.5\% during the intervention, with 18\% (20/111) of the participants attaining a ?5\% weight loss. Sustained at follow-up, waist circumference decreased, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased slightly. The participants completed, on average, 58.6\% of the eHealth program. Conclusions: There were no differences in weight or other somatic health variables between the eHealth arm and intervention combining eHealth with minimal group or individual enhancement. Despite a modest overall weight loss, the intervention shows promise in improving body composition and metabolic health. Moving forward, further research is needed to determine if there is a threshold where face-to-face meetings provide additional benefits in hybrid interventions. Moreover, there is a need to explore for whom and under what conditions eHealth and hybrid models may be most effective. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04785586; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04785586 ", doi="10.2196/60436", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e60436", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40073400" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/60844, author="Gulec, Hayriye and Muzik, Michal and Smahel, David and Dedkova, Lenka", title="Longitudinal Associations Between Adolescents' mHealth App Use, Body Dissatisfaction, and Physical Self-Worth: Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Study", journal="JMIR Ment Health", year="2025", month="Mar", day="11", volume="12", pages="e60844", keywords="mHealth app", keywords="body dissatisfaction", keywords="physical self-worth", keywords="random intercept cross-lagged panel model", keywords="RI-CLPM", keywords="longitudinal study", keywords="adolescent", abstract="Background: Longitudinal investigation of the association between mobile health (mHealth) app use and attitudes toward one's body during adolescence is scarce. mHealth apps might shape adolescents' body image perceptions by influencing their attitudes toward their bodies. Adolescents might also use mHealth apps based on how they feel and think about their bodies. Objective: This prospective study examined the longitudinal within-person associations between mHealth app use, body dissatisfaction, and physical self-worth during adolescence. Methods: The data were gathered from a nationally representative sample of Czech adolescents aged between 11 and 16 years (N=2500; n=1250, 50\% girls; mean age 13.43, SD 1.69 years) in 3 waves with 6-month intervals. Participants completed online questionnaires assessing their mHealth app use, physical self-worth, and body dissatisfaction at each wave. The mHealth app use was determined by the frequency of using sports, weight management, and nutritional intake apps. Physical self-worth was assessed using the physical self-worth subscale of the Physical Self Inventory-Short Form. Body dissatisfaction was measured with the items from the body dissatisfaction subscale of the Eating Disorder Inventory-3. The random intercept cross-lagged panel model examined longitudinal within-person associations between the variables. A multigroup design was used to compare genders. Due to the missing values, the final analyses used data from 2232 adolescents (n=1089, 48.8\% girls; mean age 13.43, SD 1.69 years). Results: The results revealed a positive within-person effect of mHealth app use on the physical self-worth of girls: increased mHealth app use predicted higher physical self-worth 6 months later ($\beta$=.199, P=.04). However, this effect was not consistent from the 6th to the 12th month: a within-person increase in using apps in the 6th month did not predict changes in girls' physical self-worth in the 12th month ($\beta$=.161, P=.07). Regardless of gender, the within-person changes in the frequency of using apps did not influence adolescents' body dissatisfaction. In addition, neither body dissatisfaction nor physical self-worth predicted app use frequency at the within-person level. Conclusions: This study highlighted that within-person changes in using mHealth apps were differentially associated with adolescents' body-related attitudes. While increased use of mHealth apps did not influence body dissatisfaction across genders, it significantly predicted higher physical self-worth in adolescent girls 6 months later. A similar association was not observed among boys after 6 months. These findings indicate that using mHealth apps is unlikely to have a detrimental impact on adolescents' body dissatisfaction and physical self-worth; instead, they may have a positive influence, particularly in boosting the physical self-worth of adolescent girls. ", doi="10.2196/60844", url="https://mental.jmir.org/2025/1/e60844" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/60156, author="Buawangpong, Nida and Siviroj, Penprapa and Pinyopornpanish, Kanokporn and Sirikul, Wachiranun", title="Transcultural Adaptation, Validation, Psychometric Analysis, and Interpretation of the 22-Item Thai Senior Technology Acceptance Model for Mobile Health Apps: Cross-Sectional Study", journal="JMIR Aging", year="2025", month="Mar", day="11", volume="8", pages="e60156", keywords="STAM", keywords="senior technology acceptance model", keywords="validity", keywords="reliability", keywords="mHealth", keywords="older adult", keywords="technology acceptance", keywords="mobile health", keywords="app", keywords="transcultural adaptation", keywords="psychometric analysis", keywords="geriatrics", keywords="cross-sectional study", keywords="Thai", keywords="theory analysis", keywords="Cronbach $\alpha$", keywords="McDonald $\omega$", keywords="quality of life", keywords="well-being", keywords="social media", keywords="telehealth", keywords="health informatics", keywords="eHealth", keywords="mobile phone", abstract="Background: The rapid advancement of technology has made mobile health (mHealth) a promising tool to mitigate health problems, particularly among older adults. Despite the numerous benefits of mHealth, assessing individual acceptance is required to address the specific needs of older people and promote their intention to use mHealth. Objective: This study aims to adapt and validate the senior technology acceptance model (STAM) questionnaire for assessing mHealth acceptance in the Thai context. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we adapted the original, 38-item, English version of the STAM using a 10-point Likert scale for mHealth acceptability among the Thai population. We translated the mHealth STAM into Thai using forward and backward translation. A total of 15 older adults and experts completed the pilot questionnaire and were interviewed to assess its validity. The pilot items of the Thai mHealth STAM were then reworded and revised for better comprehension and cross-cultural compatibility. The construct validity of the Thai mHealth STAM was evaluated by a multidimensional approach, including exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and nonparametric item response theory analysis. Discriminative indices consisting of sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) were used to determine appropriate banding and discriminant validity for the intention to use mHealth. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach $\alpha$ and McDonald $\omega$ coefficients. Results: Out of the 1100 participants with a mean age of 62.3 (SD 8.8) years, 360 (32.7\%) were adults aged 45-59 years, and 740 (67.3\%) were older adults aged 60 years and older. Of the 40-item pilot questionnaire, exploratory factor analysis identified 22 items with factor loadings >0.4 across 7 principal components, explaining 91.45\% of the variance. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed that 9-dimensional sets of 22 items had satisfactory fit indices (comparative fit index=0.976, Tucker-Lewis index=0.968, root mean square error of approximation=0.043, standardized root mean squared residual=0.044, and R2 for each item>0.30). The score banding D (low?151, moderate 152-180, and high?181) was preferred as the optimal 22-item Thai mHealth STAM cutoff score based on the highest sensitivity of 89\% (95\% CI 86.1\%-91.5\%) and AUROC of 72.4\% (95\% CI 70\%-74.8\%) for predicting the intention to use mHealth. The final Thai mHealth STAM, consisting of 22 items, exhibited remarkable internal consistency, as evidenced by a Cronbach $\alpha$ of 0.88 (95\% CI 0.87-0.89) and a McDonald $\omega$ of 0.85 (95\% CI 0.83-0.87). For all 22 items, the corrected item-total correlations ranged between 0.26 and 0.71. Conclusions: The 22-item Thai mHealth STAM demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties in both validity and reliability. The questionnaire has the potential to serve as a practical questionnaire in assessing the acceptance and intention to use mHealth among pre-older and older adults. ", doi="10.2196/60156", url="https://aging.jmir.org/2025/1/e60156" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/55844, author="Zhou, Meng and Wang, Li and Deng, Ying and Ge, Jinjin and Zhao, Shiqi and You, Hua", title="Effects of a Mobile Health Intervention Based on Behavioral Integrated Model on Cognitive and Behavioral Changes in Gestational Weight Management: Randomized Controlled Trial", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Mar", day="10", volume="27", pages="e55844", keywords="cognition", keywords="health behavior", keywords="information-motivation-behavioral skills model", keywords="mobile health", keywords="psychological models", keywords="pregnant woman", keywords="randomized controlled trial", keywords="mobile phone", abstract="Background: The key to gestational weight management intervention involves health-related behaviors, including dietary and exercise management. Behavioral theory-based interventions are effective in improving health-related behaviors. However, evidence for mobile health interventions based on specific behavioral theories is insufficient and their effects have not been fully elucidated. Objective: This study aimed to examine the effects of a gestational mobile health intervention on psychological cognition and behavior for gestational weight management, using an integrated behavioral model as the theoretical framework. Methods: This study was conducted in a tertiary maternity hospital and conducted as a single-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) in Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. Using the behavioral model, integrated with the protection motivation theory and information--motivation--behavioral skills model (PMT-IMB model), the intervention group received a mobile health intervention using a self-developed app from 14 to 37 gestational weeks, whereas the control group received routine guidance through the application. Psychological cognition and behaviors related to weight management during pregnancy were the main outcomes, which were measured at baseline, and at the second and third trimesters of pregnancy using a self-designed questionnaire. Generalized estimation and regression equations were used to compare the outcome differences between the intervention and control groups. Results: In total, 302 (302/360, 83.9\%) participants underwent all measurements at 3 time points (intervention group: n=150; control group: n=152). Compared with the control group, the intervention group had significantly higher scores for information, perceived vulnerability, response cost, and exercise management in the second trimester, while their scores for perceived vulnerability, response cost, and diet management were significantly higher in the third trimester. The results of repeated measures analysis revealed that, in psychological cognition, the information dimension exhibited both the time effects (T3 $\beta$=3.235, 95\% CI 2.859-3.611; P<.001) and the group effects ($\beta$=0.597, 95\% CI 0.035-1.158; P=.04). Similarly, response costs demonstrated both the time effects (T3 $\beta$=0.745, 95\% CI 0.199-1.291; P=.008) and the group effects ($\beta$=1.034, 95\% CI 0.367-1.700; P=.002). In contrast, perceived vulnerability solely exhibited the group effects ($\beta$=0.669, 95\% CI 0.050-1.288; P=.03). Regarding weight management behaviors, both time (T3 $\beta$=6, 95\% CI 4.527-7.473; P<.001) and group ($\beta$=2.685, 95\% CI 0.323-5.047; P=.03) had statistically significant impacts on the total points. Furthermore, the exercise management dimension also demonstrated both the time effects (T3 $\beta$=3.791, 95\% CI 2.999-4.584; P<.001) and the group effects ($\beta$=1.501, 95\% CI 0.232-2.771; P=.02). Conclusions: The intervention program was effective in increasing psychological cognitions in terms of information, perceived vulnerability, and response costs, as well as promoting healthy behaviors among Chinese pregnant women. This study provides new evidence supporting the effectiveness of mobile intervention based on behavioral science theory in gestational weight management. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2100043231; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=121736 ", doi="10.2196/55844", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e55844" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/52544, author="May, Susann and Muehlensiepen, Felix and Wengemuth, Eileen and Seifert, Frances and Heinze, Martin and Bruch, Dunja and Spethmann, Sebastian", title="Benefits and Barriers to mHealth in Hypertension Care: Qualitative Study With German Health Care Professionals", journal="JMIR Hum Factors", year="2025", month="Mar", day="10", volume="12", pages="e52544", keywords="hypertension", keywords="mHealth apps", keywords="digital health", keywords="physicians", keywords="nurses", keywords="HCP", keywords="qualitative interviews", keywords="health care professional", keywords="cardiologists", keywords="mHealth", keywords="Germany", keywords="general practitioners", keywords="blood pressure monitoring", keywords="qualitative study", keywords="qualitative content analysis", abstract="Background: Digital health technologies, particularly mobile health (mHealth) apps and wearable devices, have emerged as crucial assets in the battle against hypertension. By enabling lifestyle modifications, facilitating home blood pressure monitoring, and promoting treatment adherence, these technologies have significantly enhanced hypertension treatment. Objective: This study aims to explore the perspectives of health care professionals (HCPs) regarding the perceived benefits and barriers associated with the integration of mHealth apps into routine hypertension care. Additionally, strategies for overcoming these barriers will be identified. Methods: Through qualitative analysis via semistructured interviews, general practitioners (n=10), cardiologists (n=14), and nurses (n=3) were purposefully selected between October 2022 and March 2023. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The results unveiled 3 overarching themes highlighting the benefits of mHealth apps in hypertension care from the perspective of HCPs. First, these technologies possess the potential to enhance patient safety by facilitating continuous monitoring and early detection of abnormalities. Second, they can empower patients, fostering autonomy in managing their health conditions, thereby promoting active participation in their care. Lastly, mHealth apps may provide valuable support to medical care by offering real-time data that aids in decision-making and treatment adjustments. Despite these benefits, the study identified several barriers hindering the seamless integration of mHealth apps into hypertension care. Challenges predominantly revolved around data management, communication contexts, daily routines, and system handling. HCPs underscored the necessity for structural and procedural modifications in their daily practices to effectively address these challenges. Conclusions: In conclusion, the effective usage of digital tools such as mHealth apps necessitates overcoming various obstacles. This entails meeting the information needs of both HCPs and patients, tackling interoperability issues to ensure seamless data exchange between different systems, clarifying uncertainties surrounding reimbursement policies, and establishing the specific clinical benefits of these technologies. Active engagement of users throughout the design and implementation phases is crucial for ensuring the usability and acceptance of mHealth apps. Moreover, enhancing knowledge accessibility through the provision of easily understandable information about mHealth apps is essential for eliminating barriers and fostering their widespread adoption in hypertension care. Trial Registration: German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00029761; https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00029761 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): RR2-10.3389/fcvm.2022.1089968 ", doi="10.2196/52544", url="https://humanfactors.jmir.org/2025/1/e52544" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/64239, author="Smeenk, Jesper and Smit, Ellen and Jacobs, Marc and van Rooij, Ilse", title="Evaluation of the MyFertiCoach Lifestyle App for Subfertile Couples: Single-Center Evaluation of Augmented Standard Care", journal="JMIR Form Res", year="2025", month="Mar", day="10", volume="9", pages="e64239", keywords="fertility", keywords="mHealth", keywords="pregnancy", keywords="lifestyle", keywords="app", keywords="smartphone", abstract="Background: Many couples undergoing fertility treatment face multiple lifestyle risk factors that lower their chances of achieving pregnancy. The MyFertiCoach (MFC) app was designed as an integrated lifestyle program featuring modules on healthy weight management, nutrition, exercise, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol and drug use, and managing stress. We hypothesized that supplementing standard care with the MFC app would improve lifestyle outcomes. Objective: This study aims to assess the impact of the MFC app on changing multiple lifestyle habits in women seeking fertility treatment. The primary outcome is the change in the total risk score (TRS) at 3- and six-month follow-ups. The TRS is calculated for each individual as the sum of all risk scores per behavior (eg, vegetable/fruit/folic acid intake, smoking, and alcohol use) at 3 and 6 months. A higher TRS indicates unhealthier nutrition and lifestyle habits and a lower likelihood of achieving pregnancy. The secondary endpoints include changes in BMI, activity score, preconception dietary risk score, distress score (eg, perceived burden), smoking habits, alcohol intake, and program adherence. Methods: This retrospective, observational, single-center evaluation included patients between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023. Subfertile female patients aged 18-43 years and their partners, who were referred to a gynecologist, were invited to participate in online lifestyle coaching via the MFC app. The gynecologist selected relevant lifestyle modules based on the results of integrated screening questionnaires. We used (hierarchical) linear mixed models (LMMs) to estimate changes in outcomes. For missing data patterns deemed missing not at random, joint modeling was applied. Statistical significance was set at P?.05, with methods in place to maintain the same false-positive rate. Results: A total of 1805 patients were invited to participate in the evaluation, with an average of 737 (40.83\%) completing the screening questionnaire at baseline. For the TRS, 798 (44.21\%) patients were included at baseline, of whom 517 (64.8\%) involved their partner. On average, 282 of 744 (37.9\%) patients submitted at least one follow-up questionnaire. Patients rated the app above average (n=137, median score of 7 on a 1-10 scale) on days 7 and 14. The TRS decreased by an average of 1.5 points (P<.001) at T3 and T6 compared with baseline, a clinically meaningful improvement. All secondary outcomes showed statistically significant positive changes for patients who used a relevant lifestyle module (P<.001). Most improvements were achieved by 3 months and remained significant at 6 months (P<.001), except for alcohol intake (P<.53). These findings were consistent across both LMMs and joint models. Conclusions: Our evaluation of a mobile health app integrated into standard care demonstrates immediate and clinically meaningful improvements in key lifestyle parameters among women seeking to become pregnant. Additional scientific research is needed to identify the causal pathways leading to sustained effectiveness. To maintain and enhance these outcomes, further tailoring of patient-specific programs is essential. ", doi="10.2196/64239", url="https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e64239" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/60102, author="Janowski, Roselinde and Cluver, D. Lucie and Shenderovich, Yulia and Wamoyi, Joyce and Wambura, Mwita and Stern, David and Clements, Lily and Melendez-Torres, J. G. and Baerecke, Lauren and Ornellas, Abigail and Chetty, Nicole Angelique and Klapwijk, Jonathan and Christine, Laetitia and Mukabana, Ateamate and Te Winkel, Esmee and Booij, Anna and Mbosoli, Gervas and Lachman, M. Jamie", title="Optimizing Engagement With a Smartphone App to Prevent Violence Against Adolescents: Results From a Cluster Randomized Factorial Trial in Tanzania", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Mar", day="10", volume="27", pages="e60102", keywords="digital health", keywords="engagement", keywords="parenting", keywords="adolescents", keywords="low- and middle-income country", keywords="violence against children", keywords="Multiphase Optimization Strategy", keywords="randomized factorial experiment", keywords="mobile phone", abstract="Background: Violence and abuse exert extensive health, social, and economic burdens on adolescents in low- and middle-income countries. Digital parenting interventions are promising for mitigating risks at scale. However, their potential for public health impact hinges on meaningful engagement with the digital platform. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of 3 intervention design and implementation factors aimed at increasing engagement with a noncommercialized, offline-first smartphone app for caregivers of adolescents in Tanzania, in partnership with the United Nations Children's Fund, the World Health Organization, and the Tanzanian national government. Methods: Following Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) principles, we conducted a 2{\texttimes}2{\texttimes}2 cluster randomized factorial trial involving caregivers of adolescents aged 10 to 17 years. Caregivers were recruited by community representatives from 16 urban and periurban communities (ie, clusters) in the Mwanza region of Tanzania. Each cluster was randomized to 1 of 2 levels of each factor: guidance (self-guided or guided via facilitator-moderated WhatsApp groups), app design (structured or unstructured), and preprogram digital support (basic or enhanced). Primary outcomes were automatically tracked measures of engagement (app launches, modules completed, and home practice activities reviewed), with secondary outcomes including modules started, time spent in the app, and positive behaviors logged. Generalized linear mixed-effects models assessed the impact of experimental factors on engagement. Results: Automatically tracked engagement data from 614 caregivers were analyzed, of which 205 (33.4\%) were men. Compared to self-guided participants, receiving guidance alongside the app led to significantly more app launches (mean ratio [MR] 2.93, 95\% CI 1.84-4.68; P<.001), modules completed (MR 1.29, 95\% CI 1.05-1.58; P=.02), modules started (MR 1.20, 95\% CI 1.02-1.42; P=.03), time spent in the app (MR 1.45, 95\% CI 1.39-1.51; P<.001), and positive behavior logs (MR 2.73, 95\% CI 2.07-3.60; P<.001). Compared to the structured design, unstructured design use resulted in significantly more modules completed (MR 1.49, 95\% CI 1.26-1.76; P<.001), home practice activity reviews (MR 7.49, 95\% CI 5.19-10.82; P<.001), modules started (MR 1.27, 95\% CI 1.06-1.52; P=.01), time spent in the app (MR 1.84, 95\% CI 1.70-1.99; P<.001), and positive behavior logs (MR 55.68, 95\% CI 16.48-188.14; P<.001). While analyses did not detect an effect of enhanced digital support on directly observed engagement, the combination of enhanced digital support and guidance positively influenced engagement across a range of outcomes. Conclusions: This study is the first to systematically optimize engagement with a digital parenting intervention in a low- and middle-income country. Our findings offer important learnings for developing evidence-based, scalable digital interventions in resource-constrained settings. Trial Registration: Pan-African Clinical Trial Registry PACTR202210657553944; https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=24051 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): RR2-10.1186/s12889-023-15989-x ", doi="10.2196/60102", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e60102", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40063069" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/59660, author="Woll, Simon and Birkenmaier, Dennis and Biri, Gergely and Nissen, Rebecca and Lutz, Luisa and Schroth, Marc and Ebner-Priemer, W. Ulrich and Giurgiu, Marco", title="Applying AI in the Context of the Association Between Device-Based Assessment of Physical Activity and Mental Health: Systematic Review", journal="JMIR Mhealth Uhealth", year="2025", month="Mar", day="6", volume="13", pages="e59660", keywords="machine learning", keywords="mental health", keywords="wearables", keywords="physical behavior", keywords="artificial intelligence", keywords="mobile phone", keywords="smartphone", abstract="Background: Wearable technology is used by consumers worldwide for continuous activity monitoring in daily life but more recently also for classifying or predicting mental health parameters like stress or depression levels. Previous studies identified, based on traditional approaches, that physical activity is a relevant factor in the prevention or management of mental health. However, upcoming artificial intelligence methods have not yet been fully established in the research field of physical activity and mental health. Objective: This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of studies that integrated passive monitoring of physical activity data measured via wearable technology in machine learning algorithms for the detection, prediction, or classification of mental health states and traits. Methods: We conducted a review of studies processing wearable data to gain insights into mental health parameters. Eligibility criteria were (1) the study uses wearables or smartphones to acquire physical behavior and optionally other sensor measurement data, (2) the study must use machine learning to process the acquired data, and (3) the study had to be published in a peer-reviewed English language journal. Studies were identified via a systematic search in 5 electronic databases. Results: Of 11,057 unique search results, 49 published papers between 2016 and 2023 were included. Most studies examined the connection between wearable sensor data and stress (n=15, 31\%) or depression (n=14, 29\%). In total, 71\% (n=35) of the studies had less than 100 participants, and 47\% (n=23) had less than 14 days of data recording. More than half of the studies (n=27, 55\%) used step count as movement measurement, and 44\% (n=21) used raw accelerometer values. The quality of the studies was assessed, scoring between 0 and 18 points in 9 categories (maximum 2 points per category). On average, studies were rated 6.47 (SD 3.1) points. Conclusions: The use of wearable technology for the detection, prediction, or classification of mental health states and traits is promising and offers a variety of applications across different settings and target groups. However, based on the current state of literature, the application of artificial intelligence cannot realize its full potential mostly due to a lack of methodological shortcomings and data availability. Future research endeavors may focus on the following suggestions to improve the quality of new applications in this context: first, by using raw data instead of already preprocessed data. Second, by using only relevant data based on empirical evidence. In particular, crafting optimal feature sets rather than using many individual detached features and consultation with in-field professionals. Third, by validating and replicating the existing approaches (ie, applying the model to unseen data). Fourth, depending on the research aim (ie, generalization vs personalization) maximizing the sample size or the duration over which data are collected. ", doi="10.2196/59660", url="https://mhealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e59660", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40053765" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/63805, author="Jin, Xiaorong and Zhang, Yimei and Zhou, Min and Mei, Qian and Bai, Yangjuan and Hu, Qiulan and Wei, Wei and Zhang, Xiong and Ma, Fang", title="An Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model for Assessing the Association Between Health Literacy and mHealth Use Intention in Dyads of Patients With Chronic Heart Failure and Their Caregivers: Cross-Sectional Study", journal="JMIR Mhealth Uhealth", year="2025", month="Mar", day="6", volume="13", pages="e63805", keywords="chronic heart failure", keywords="caregivers", keywords="health literacy", keywords="mHealth", keywords="actor-partner interdependence mediation model", keywords="mobile health", abstract="Background: Chronic heart failure (CHF) has become a serious threat to the health of the global population. Self-management is the key to treating CHF, and the emergence of mobile health (mHealth) has provided new ideas for the self-management of CHF. Despite the many potential benefits of mHealth, public utilization of mHealth apps is low, and poor health literacy (HL) is a key barrier to mHealth use. However, the mechanism of the influence is unclear. Objective: The aim of this study is to explore the dyadic associations between HL and mHealth usage intentions in dyads of patients with CHF and their caregivers, and the mediating role of mHealth perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use in these associations. Methods: This study had a cross-sectional research design, with a sample of 312 dyads of patients with CHF who had been hospitalized in the cardiology departments of 2 tertiary care hospitals in China from March to October 2023 and their caregivers. A general information questionnaire, the Chinese version of the Heart Failure-Specific Health Literacy Scale, and the mHealth Intention to Use Scale were used to conduct the survey; the data were analyzed using the actor-partner interdependence mediation model. Results: The results of the actor-partner interdependent mediation analysis of HL, perceived usefulness of mHealth, and mHealth use intention among patients with CHF and their caregivers showed that all of the model's actor effects were valid ($\beta$=.26?0.45; P<.001), the partner effects were partially valid ($\beta$=.08?0.20; P<.05), and the mediation effects were valid ($\beta$=.002?0.242, 95\% CI 0.003?0.321; P<.05). Actor-partner interdependent mediation analyses of HL, perceived ease of use of mHealth, and mHealth use intention among patients with CHF and caregivers showed that the model's actor effect partially held ($\beta$=.17?0.71; P<.01), the partner effect partially held ($\beta$=.15; P<.01), and the mediation effect partially held ($\beta$=.355?0.584, 95\% CI 0.234?0.764; P<.001). Conclusions: Our study proposes that the HL of patients with CHF and their caregivers positively contributes to their own intention to use mHealth, suggesting that the use of mHealth by patients with CHF can be promoted by improving the HL of patients and caregivers. Our findings also suggest that the perceived usefulness of patients with CHF and caregivers affects patients' mHealth use intention, and therefore patients with CHF and their caregivers should be involved throughout the mHealth development process to improve the usability of mHealth for both patients and caregivers. This study emphasizes the key role of patients' perception that mHealth is easy to use in facilitating their use of mHealth. Therefore, it is recommended that the development of mHealth should focus on simplifying operational procedures and providing relevant operational training according to the needs of the patients when necessary. ", doi="10.2196/63805", url="https://mhealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e63805" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/58715, author="Lu, Lincoln and Jake-Schoffman, E. Danielle and Lavoie, A. Hannah and Agharazidermani, Maedeh and Boyer, Elizabeth Kristy", title="Preadolescent Children Using Real-Time Heart Rate During Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity: A Feasibility Study", journal="JMIR Hum Factors", year="2025", month="Mar", day="6", volume="12", pages="e58715", keywords="smartphone app", keywords="physical activity", keywords="heart rate", keywords="wearable sensors", keywords="youth", keywords="commercial wearable device", keywords="Garmin", keywords="mobile phone", abstract="Background: Given the global burden of insufficient physical activity (PA) in children, effective behavioral interventions are needed to increase PA levels. Novel technologies can help expand the reach and accessibility of these programs. Despite the potential to use heart rate (HR) to target moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA), most HR research to date has focused on the accuracy of HR devices or used HR for PA surveillance rather than as an intervention tool. Furthermore, most commercial HR sensors are designed for adults, and their suitability for children is unknown. Further research about the feasibility and usability of commercial HR devices is required to understand how children may use HR during PA. Objective: This study aimed to explore the use of a chest-worn HR sensor paired with a real-time HR display as an intervention tool among preadolescent children and the usability of a custom-designed app (Connexx) for viewing real-time HR. Methods: We developed Connexx, an HR information display app with an HR analytics portal to view HR tracking. Children were recruited via flyers distributed at local public schools, word of mouth, and social media posts. Eligible participants were children aged 9 to 12 years who did not have any medical contraindications to MVPA. Participants took part in a single in-person study session where they monitored their own HR using a commercial HR sensor, learned about HR, and engaged in a series of PAs while using the Connexx app to view their real-time HR. We took field note observations about participant interactions with the HR devices. Participants engaged in a semistructured interview about their experience using Connexx and HR during PA and completed the System Usability Scale (SUS) about the Connexx app. Study sessions were audio and video recorded and transcribed verbatim. Results: A total of 11 participants (n=6, 55\% male; n=9, 82\%, non-Hispanic White) with an average age of 10.4 (SD 1.0) years were recruited for the study. Data from observations, interviews, and SUS indicated that preadolescent children can use real-time HR information during MVPA. Observational and interview data indicated that the participants were able to understand their HR after a basic lesson and demonstrated the ability to make use of their HR information during PA. Interview and SUS responses demonstrated that the Connexx app was highly usable, despite some accessibility challenges (eg, small display font). Feedback about usability issues has been incorporated into a redesign of the Connexx app, including larger, color-coded fonts for HR information. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that preadolescent children understood their HR data and were able to use it in real time during PA. The findings suggest that future interventions targeting MVPA in this population should test strategies to use HR and HR monitoring as direct program targets. ", doi="10.2196/58715", url="https://humanfactors.jmir.org/2025/1/e58715", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40053729" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/60486, author="Kuipers, M. Ellen A. and Timmerman, G. Josien and van Det, J. Marc and Vollenbroek-Hutten, R. Miriam M.", title="Feasibility and Links Between Emotions, Physical States, and Eating Behavior in Patients After Metabolic Bariatric Surgery: Experience Sampling Study", journal="JMIR Form Res", year="2025", month="Mar", day="5", volume="9", pages="e60486", keywords="feasibility", keywords="experience sampling methodology", keywords="metabolic bariatric surgery", keywords="eating behavior", keywords="positive and negative affect", keywords="physical states", keywords="contextual factors", keywords="mobile phone", abstract="Background: Lifestyle modification is essential to achieve and maintain successful outcomes after metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS). Emotions, physical states, and contextual factors are considered important determinants of maladaptive eating behavior, emphasizing their significance in understanding and addressing weight management. In this context, experience sampling methodology (ESM) offers promise for measuring lifestyle and behavior in the patient's natural environment. Nevertheless, there is limited research on its feasibility and association among emotions and problematic eating behavior within the population after MBS. Objective: This study aimed to examine the feasibility of ESM in the population after MBS regarding emotions, physical states, contextual factors, and problematic eating behavior, and to explore the temporal association among these variables. Methods: An experience sampling study was conducted in which participants rated their current affect (positive and negative), physical states (disgust, boredom, fatigue, and hunger), contextual factors (where, with whom, and doing what), and problematic eating behavior (ie, grazing, dietary relapse, craving, and binge eating) via smartphone-based ESM questionnaires at 6 semirandom times daily for 14 consecutive days. Feasibility was operationalized as the study's participation rate and completion rate, compliance in answering ESM questionnaires, and response rates per day. At the end of the study period, patients reflected on the feasibility of ESM in semistructured interviews. Generalized estimation equations were conducted to examine the temporal association between emotions, physical states, contextual factors, and problematic eating behavior. Results: In total, 25 out of 242 participants consented to participate, resulting in a study participation rate of 10.3\%. The completion rate was 83\%. Overall compliance was 57.4\% (1072/1868), varying from 13\% (11/84) to 89\% (75/84) per participant. Total response rates per day decreased from 65\% (90/138) to 52\% (67/130) over the 14-day study period. According to the interviews, ESM was considered feasible and of added value. Temporal associations were found for hunger and craving (odds ratio 1.04, 95\% CI 1.00-1.07; P=.03), and for positive affect and grazing (odds ratio 1.61, 95\% CI 1.03-2.51; P=.04). Conclusions: In this exploratory study, patients after MBS were not amenable to participate. Only a small number of patients were willing to participate. However, those who participated found it feasible and expressed satisfaction with it. Temporal associations were identified between hunger and craving, as well as between positive affect and grazing. However, no clear patterns were observed among emotions, physical states, context, and problematic eating behaviors. ", doi="10.2196/60486", url="https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e60486", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40053719" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/67386, author="Duan, Chen-Chi and Zhang, Chen and Xu, Hua-Lin and Tao, Jing and Yu, Jia-Le and Zhang, Dan and Wu, Shan and Zeng, Xiu and Zeng, Wan-Ting and Zhang, Zhi-Yin and Dennis, Cindy-Lee and Liu, Han and Wu, Jia-Ying and Mol, J. Ben Willem and Huang, He-Feng and Wu, Yan-Ting", title="Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Preventing Postpartum Depressive Symptoms Among Pregnant Individuals With Depression: Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial in China", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Mar", day="4", volume="27", pages="e67386", keywords="antenatal depression", keywords="postpartum depression", keywords="internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy", keywords="randomized controlled trial", abstract="Background: Women are particularly vulnerable to depression during pregnancy, which is one of the strongest risk factors for developing postpartum depression (PPD). Addressing antenatal depressive symptoms in these women is crucial for preventing PPD. However, little is known about the effectiveness of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) in preventing PPD in this high-risk group. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of ICBT in preventing PPD among women with antenatal depressive symptoms. Methods: Participants were screened for antenatal depressive symptoms using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and randomly allocated (1:1) to either the ICBT group (receiving weekly online modules starting antenatally and continuing into early postpartum) or the control group (observed without treatment). Follow-up assessments were conducted up to 12 months postpartum, and data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations. The primary outcome was the prevalence of depressive symptoms at 6 weeks postpartum. A subgroup analysis based on the severity of antenatal depressive symptoms was also performed. The secondary outcomes included the long-term effects of ICBT on maternal depression, as well as its impact on anxiety, sleep quality, social support, parenting stress, co-parenting relationships, and infant development. Results: Between August 2020 and September 2021, 300 pregnant individuals were recruited from 5 centers across China. No significant differences were observed in depressive symptoms at 6 weeks postpartum (P=.18) or at any longer-term follow-up time points (P=.18). However, a post hoc subgroup analysis showed that participants with antenatal EPDS scores of 10-12 in the ICBT group had a lower risk of developing depression during the first year postpartum (odds ratio 0.534, 95\% CI 0.313-0.912; P=.02), but this was not observed for participants with more severe depression. Additionally, this subgroup demonstrated higher levels of co-parenting relationships (P=.02). Conclusions: Among individuals with antenatal depression, ICBT did not prevent the development of PPD. However, ICBT may be a preferable option for those with mild to moderate antenatal depressive symptoms. Future research is needed to explore modifications to ICBT to address more severe depressive symptoms. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2000033433; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=54482 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): RR2-10.1186/s13063-022-06728-5 ", doi="10.2196/67386", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e67386", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40053801" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/60185, author="Legarra-Gorgo{\~n}on, Gaizka and Garc{\'i}a-Alonso, Yesenia and Ram{\'i}rez-V{\'e}lez, Robinson and Alonso-Mart{\'i}nez, Loreto and Izquierdo, Mikel and Alonso-Mart{\'i}nez, M. Alicia", title="Effect of a Gamified Family-Based Exercise Intervention on Adherence to 24-Hour Movement Behavior Recommendations in Preschool Children: Single-Center Pragmatic Trial", journal="JMIR Serious Games", year="2025", month="Mar", day="4", volume="13", pages="e60185", keywords="children", keywords="gamification", keywords="exercise", keywords="physical fitness", keywords="domains of physical activity", keywords="game", keywords="fitness", keywords="child", keywords="family-based", keywords="exercise program", keywords="randomized controlled trial", keywords="strength", abstract="Background: Adherence to 24-hour movement behavior recommendations, including physical activity (PA), sedentary time, and sleep, is essential for the healthy development of preschool children. Gamified family-based interventions have shown the potential to improve adherence to these guidelines, but evidence of their effectiveness among children is limited. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a gamified family-based exercise intervention in promoting adherence to 24-hour movement behavior recommendations among preschool-aged children. Methods: This 12-week study is a single-center, pragmatic randomized controlled trial that included 80 preschool children (56\% boys) and their families, who were randomly assigned to either the gamification group (n=40) or the control group (n=40). The ``3, 2, 1 Move on Study'' incorporates family-oriented physical activities and gamification techniques to increase PA domains, reduce sedentary behavior, and improve sleep patterns. The primary outcome was to increase\thinspacemoderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) by 5 minutes/day, as measured by accelerometer at follow-up. Accelerometer-determined daily time spent (PA domains, sedentary behavior, and sleep), physical fitness (cardiorespiratory, speed-agility, muscular, physical fitness z-score), basic motor competencies (self-movement and object movement), and executive function (memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control) were also included as secondary outcomes. Results: The 71 participants included in the per-protocol analyses (32 girls, 45\%; 39 boys, 55\%) had a mean (SD) age of 5.0 (0.5) years. Change in MVPA per day after the intervention (12 weeks) increased in both groups by +25.3 (SD 24.6) minutes/day in the gamification group and +10.0 (SD 31.4) minutes/day in the routine care group, but no significant between-group differences were observed (8.62, 95\% CI --5.72 to 22.95 minutes/day, $\eta$p2=.025; P=.23). The analysis of secondary outcomes showed significant between-group mean differences in the change in physical behaviors derived from the accelerometers from baseline to follow-up of 26.44 (95\% CI 8.93 to 43.94) minutes/day in favor of light PA ($\eta$p2=.138; P=.01) and 30.88 (95\% CI 4.36 to 57.41) minutes/day in favor of total PA, which corresponds to a large effect size ($\eta$p2=.087; P=.02). Likewise, the gamification group substantially increased their score in standing long jump and physical fitness z-score from baseline (P<.05). Conclusions: In the ``3, 2, 1 Move on Study,'' a gamified intervention showed a modest but relevant increase in MVPA and other domains of 24-hour movement behavior among preschool-aged children. Therefore, gamified family-based interventions may provide a viable alternative to improve adherence to 24-hour movement behavior recommendations. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05741879; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05741879?tab=history ", doi="10.2196/60185", url="https://games.jmir.org/2025/1/e60185" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/55592, author="Salaheddin, Tala and Sharma, H. Ramona and Fajardo, Marcela and Panter, Cameron and De Souza, Lauren and Matano, Kanyevu Sheila and Struik, Laura", title="Utilization and Experiences of Using Quit Now, a Nicotine and Tobacco Smoking Cessation Website: Thematic Analysis", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Mar", day="4", volume="27", pages="e55592", keywords="smoking cessation", keywords="user experiences", keywords="nicotine", keywords="vaping", keywords="web-based", keywords="Google Analytics", keywords="thematic analysis", keywords="digital health", keywords="nicotine replacement therapy", keywords="quit attempts", keywords="tobacco", keywords="British Columbia", keywords="behavioral support", keywords="pharmacotherapy", keywords="qualitative interview", keywords="cessation support", keywords="QuitNow", keywords="mobile health", keywords="mHealth", keywords="intervention", abstract="Background: British Columbia residents have access to a program called QuitNow that provides behavioral support and information about pharmacotherapy to nicotine and tobacco users. Web- or computer-based smoking cessation programs have been shown to yield an abstinence rate about 1.5 times higher when compared to a control. Although quantitative evidence reveals significant promise for web-based services like QuitNow, there is very little qualitative evidence available. Understanding website utilization and the experiences of end users is key to contextualizing the effectiveness of web-based cessation services and providing directions for enhancing these services. Objective: This qualitative interview study aims to delve into users' utilization and experiences of QuitNow, which is supplemented by Google Analytics data. Methods: We interviewed 10 QuitNow users using semistructured interviews to understand what they liked the most and the least about QuitNow. We transcribed these interviews and conducted an inductive thematic analysis using NVivo (QSR International) software to extract common themes about user experiences. We also gathered utilization metrics via Google Analytics (n=13,856 users) to understand which aspects of QuitNow were used the most and which were used the least during the study period. Results: Thematic analysis yielded four major themes: (1) barriers to information access reduce opportunities to take action, (2) lack of clarity around pharmacological options is discouraging, (3) hearing from others is an important part of the journey, and (4) recognizing own agency throughout the quit process. These themes provided context and support for the Google Analytics data, which showed that end user activity, measured by indicators such as page views and average time spent on each page, was highest on pages about how to quit (10,393 page views), pharmacology information (1999 page views), and the community forum (11,560 page views). Conclusions: Results of this study point to several important implications for improving the website, as well as directions for enhancing cessation support services in general. ", doi="10.2196/55592", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e55592", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40053769" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/60096, author="de Thurah, Lena and Kiekens, Glenn and Weermeijer, Jeroen and Uyttebroek, Lotte and Wampers, Martien and Bonnier, Rafa{\"e}l and Myin-Germeys, Inez", title="Understanding Appropriation of Digital Self-Monitoring Tools in Mental Health Care: Qualitative Analysis", journal="JMIR Hum Factors", year="2025", month="Mar", day="3", volume="12", pages="e60096", keywords="digital self-monitoring", keywords="technology appropriation", keywords="experience sampling method", keywords="mental health care", keywords="mental health", keywords="self-monitoring", keywords="digital health", keywords="adoption", keywords="implementation", keywords="thematic", keywords="usability", keywords="interview", keywords="experience", keywords="attitude", keywords="opinion", keywords="perception", keywords="perspective", keywords="acceptance", abstract="Background: Digital self-monitoring tools, such as the experience sampling method (ESM), enable individuals to collect detailed information about their mental health and daily life context and may help guide and support person-centered mental health care. However, similar to many digital interventions, the ESM struggles to move from research to clinical integration. To guide the implementation of self-monitoring tools in mental health care, it is important to understand why and how clinicians and clients adopted, adapted, and incorporated these tools in practice. Objective: Therefore, this study examined how clinicians and clients within a psychiatric center appropriated an ESM-based self-monitoring tool within their therapy. Methods: Twelve clinicians and 24 clients participated in the piloting of the ESM tool, IMPROVE. After utilizing the tool, 7 clinicians and 11 clients took part in semistructured interviews. A thematic framework analysis was performed focusing on participants' prior knowledge and expectations, actual use in practice, and potential future use of ESM tools. Results: Many participants experienced that the ESM tool provided useful information about clients' mental health, especially when clinicians and clients engaged in collaborative data interpretation. However, clinicians experienced several mismatches between system usability and their technical competencies, and many clients found it difficult to comply with the self-assessments. Importantly, most participants wanted to use digital self-monitoring tools in the future. Conclusions: Clinicians' and clients' choice to adopt and integrate self-monitoring tools in their practice seems to depend upon the perceived balance between the added benefits and the effort required to achieve them. Enhancing user support or redesigning ESM tools to reduce workload and data burden could help overcome implementation barriers. Future research should involve end users in the development of ESM self-monitoring tools for mental health care and further investigate the perspectives of nonadopters. ", doi="10.2196/60096", url="https://humanfactors.jmir.org/2025/1/e60096" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/64661, author="Connelly, Jenni and Swingler, Kevin and Rodriguez-Sanchez, Nidia and Whittaker, C. Anna", title="Identifying Food Preferences and Malnutrition in Older Adults in Care Homes: Co-Design Study of a Digital Nutrition Assessment Tool", journal="JMIR Aging", year="2025", month="Mar", day="3", volume="8", pages="e64661", keywords="ageing", keywords="digital technology", keywords="dietary measurement", keywords="care homes", keywords="co-design", keywords="dietary intake", keywords="food diary", abstract="Background: Malnutrition is a challenge among older adults and can result in serious health consequences. However, the dietary intake monitoring needed to identify malnutrition for early intervention is affected by issues such as difficulty remembering or needing a dietitian to interpret the results. Objective: This study aims to co-design a tool using automated food classification to monitor dietary intake and food preferences, as well as food-related symptoms and mood and hunger ratings, for use in care homes. Methods: Participants were 2 separate advisory groups and 2 separate sets of prototype testers. The testers for the first prototype were 10 community-dwelling older adults based in the Stirlingshire area in Scotland who noted their feedback on the tool over 2 weeks in a food diary. The second set of testers consisted of 14 individuals (staff: n=8, 57\%; and residents: n=6, 43\%) based in 4 care homes in Scotland who provided feedback via interview after testing the tool for a minimum of 3 days. In addition, 130 care home staff across the United Kingdom completed the web-based survey on the tool's needs and potential routes to pay for it; 2 care home managers took part in follow-up interviews. Data were collected through food diaries, a web-based survey, audio recordings and transcriptions of focus groups and interviews, and research notes. Systematic text condensation was used to describe themes across the different types of data. Results: Key features identified included ratings of hunger, mood, and gastrointestinal symptoms that could be associated with eating specific foods, as well as a traffic light system to indicate risk. Issues included staff time, Wi-Fi connectivity, and the accurate recognition of pureed food and fortified meals. Different models for potential use and commercialization were identified, including peer support among residents to assist those considered less able, staff-only use of the tool, care home--personalized database menus for easy meal photo selection, and targeted monitoring of residents considered to be at the highest risk using the traffic light system. Conclusions: The tool was deemed useful for monitoring dietary habits and associated symptoms, but necessary design improvements were identified. These should be incorporated before formal evaluation of the tool as an intervention in this setting. Co-design was vital to help make the tool fit for the intended setting and users. ", doi="10.2196/64661", url="https://aging.jmir.org/2025/1/e64661", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40053797" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/55603, author="Samele, Chiara and Urquia, Norman and Edwards, Rachel and Donnell, Katie and Krause, Nihara", title="Evaluation of the Clear Fear Smartphone App for Young People Experiencing Anxiety: Uncontrolled Pre-- and Post--Follow-Up Study", journal="JMIR Form Res", year="2025", month="Feb", day="28", volume="9", pages="e55603", keywords="mental health", keywords="anxiety", keywords="depression", keywords="emotional and behavioral difficulties", keywords="mobile phone app", keywords="cognitive behavioral therapy", keywords="digital tool", keywords="young people", keywords="mobile phone", abstract="Background: Mobile health apps are proving to be an important tool for increasing access to psychological therapies early on, particularly with rising rates of anxiety and depression in young people. Objective: We aimed to assess the usability, acceptability, safety, and effectiveness of a new app, Clear Fear, developed to help young people manage symptoms of anxiety using the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy. Methods: The Clear Fear app was developed to provide cognitive behavioral strategies to suit anxiety disorders. An uncontrolled pre-- and post--follow-up design over a 9-week period was used to assess the app and its effects. This study comprised 3 phases: baseline (stage 1), post--app familiarization phase (stage 2), and follow-up (stage 3). Eligible participants were aged between 16 and 25 years with mild to moderate anxiety but not currently receiving treatment or in contact with specialist mental health services or using other interventions or apps to help monitor or manage their mental health. A community sample was recruited via advertisements, relevant websites, and social media networks. Eligible participants completed standardized self-report tools and questionnaires at each study stage. These measured probable symptoms of anxiety (7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale) and depression (Mood and Feelings Questionnaire); emotional and behavioral difficulties (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire); and feedback on the usability, accessibility, and safety of the app. Mean scores at baseline and follow-up were compared using paired 2-tailed t tests or Wilcoxon signed rank tests. Qualitative data derived from open-ended questions were coded and entered into NVivo (version 10) for analysis. Results: A total of 48 young people entered the study at baseline, with 37 (77\%) completing all outcome measures at follow-up. The sample was mostly female (37/48, 77\%). The mean age was 20.1 (SD 2.1) years. In total, 48\% (23/48) of the participants reached the threshold for probable anxiety disorder, 56\% (27/48) had positive scores for probable depression, and 75\% (36/48) obtained a total score of ``very high'' on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for emotional and behavioral difficulties. The app was well received, offering reassurance, practical and immediate help to manage symptoms, and encouragement to seek help, and was generally found easy to use. A small minority (3/48, 6\%) found the app difficult to navigate. The Clear Fear app resulted in statistically significant reductions in probable symptoms of anxiety (t36=2.6, 95\% CI 0.41-3.53; P=.01) and depression (z=2.3; P=.02) and behavioral and emotional difficulties (t47=4.5, 95\% CI 3.67-9.65; P<.001), representing mostly medium to large standardized effect sizes. Conclusions: The Clear Fear app was found to be usable, acceptable, safe, and effective in helping manage symptoms of anxiety and depression and emotional and behavioral difficulties. ", doi="10.2196/55603", url="https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e55603", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40053764" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/56066, author="Murray, Louise Aja and Thye, Melissa and Obsuth, Ingrid and Cai, Shufang and Lui, Michael and Orr, Corina and Saravanan, Anusha", title="A Narrative Review to Identify Promising Approaches for Digital Health Interventions to Support Emotion Regulation for Adolescents With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder", journal="JMIR Ment Health", year="2025", month="Feb", day="27", volume="12", pages="e56066", keywords="attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder", keywords="ADHD", keywords="digital health intervention", keywords="adolescence", keywords="emotion regulation", keywords="emotion dysregulation", keywords="mobile phone", keywords="emotion", keywords="teens", keywords="youths", keywords="narrative review", keywords="support", keywords="development", keywords="design", keywords="regulation", keywords="young people", keywords="evaluation", keywords="neurodiversity", keywords="neurodivergent", keywords="attention deficit", keywords="neurodiverse", keywords="neuroscience", keywords="mental health", keywords="digital mental health", doi="10.2196/56066", url="https://mental.jmir.org/2025/1/e56066", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40053767" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/59165, author="De la Torre, Katherine and Min, Sukhong and Lee, Hyobin and Kang, Daehee", title="The Application of Preventive Medicine in the Future Digital Health Era", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Feb", day="27", volume="27", pages="e59165", keywords="preventive medicine", keywords="personalized prevention", keywords="digital health technology", keywords="digital health", keywords="artificial intelligence", keywords="wearable devices", keywords="telemedicine", doi="10.2196/59165", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e59165", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40053712" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/66807, author="Pickard, Abigail and Edwards, Katie and Farrow, Claire and Haycraft, Emma and Blissett, Jacqueline", title="Capturing Everyday Parental Feeding Practices and Eating Behaviors of 3- to 5-Year-Old Children With Avid Eating Behavior: Ecological Momentary Assessment Feasibility and Acceptability Study", journal="JMIR Form Res", year="2025", month="Feb", day="27", volume="9", pages="e66807", keywords="pediatric", keywords="paediatric", keywords="child", keywords="child eating", keywords="parent feeding", keywords="parent", keywords="ecological momentary assessment", keywords="mHealth", keywords="mobile health", keywords="mobile app", keywords="application", keywords="smartphone", keywords="digital", keywords="digital health", keywords="digital technology", keywords="digital intervention", abstract="Background: The wide use of smartphones offers large-scale opportunities for real-time data collection methods such as ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to assess how fluctuations in contextual and psychosocial factors influence parents' feeding practices and feeding goals, particularly when feeding children with high food approaches. Objective: The main objectives of this study were to (1) assess parents/caregivers' compliance with EMA procedures administered through a smartphone app and (2) estimate the criterion validity of the EMA to capture children's eating occasions and parents' feeding practices. Participant adherence, technological challenges, and data quality were used to provide an overview of the real-time dynamics of parental mood, feeding goals, and contextual factors during eating occasions. Methods: Parents in the United Kingdom with a child aged 3 to 5 years who exhibit avid eating behavior were invited to participate in a 10-day EMA study using a smartphone app. Of the 312 invited participants, 122 (39\%) parents initiated the EMA study, of which 118 (96.7\%) completed the full EMA period and the follow-up feasibility and acceptability survey. Results: Of those parents who completed the EMA study, 104 (87.4\%) parents provided at least 7 ``full'' days of data (2 signal surveys and 1 event survey), despite 51 parents (43.2\%) experiencing technical difficulties. The parents received notifications for morning surveys (69.9\% response rate), 3 daily mood surveys (78.7\% response rate), and an end-of-day survey (84.6\% response rate) on each of the 10 days. Over the EMA period, a total of 2524 child eating/food request surveys were self-initiated by the participants on their smartphones, an average of 2.1 times per day per parent (SD 0.18; min=1.7, max=2.3). The majority of parents felt that the surveys made them more aware of their feelings (105/118, 89\%) and activities (93/118, 79\%). The frequency of daily food requests estimated by parents at baseline was significantly correlated with the frequency of food requests reported daily during the EMA period (r=0.483, P<.001). However, the number of daily food requests per day estimated at baseline (mean 4.5, SD 1.5) was significantly higher than the number of food requests reported per day during the EMA period (mean 3.7, SD 1.1), (t116=18.8, P<.001). Conclusions: This paper demonstrates the feasibility of employing EMA to investigate the intricate interplay between parental mood, feeding goals, contextual factors, and feeding practices with children exhibiting an avid eating behavior profile. However, the use of EMA needs to be carefully developed and tested with parents' involvement to ensure successful data collection. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/55193 ", doi="10.2196/66807", url="https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e66807" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/64527, author="Joung, Kyung-In and An, Hee Sook and Bang, Seok Joon and Kim, Joon Kwang", title="Comparative Effectiveness of Wearable Devices and Built-In Step Counters in Reducing Metabolic Syndrome Risk in South Korea: Population-Based Cohort Study", journal="JMIR Mhealth Uhealth", year="2025", month="Feb", day="25", volume="13", pages="e64527", keywords="wearable devices", keywords="built-in step counters", keywords="mobile health", keywords="public health intervention", keywords="physical activity", keywords="health behavior", keywords="metabolic syndrome", keywords="population-based", keywords="cohort study", keywords="South Korea", keywords="mobile health technologies", keywords="effectiveness", keywords="activity tracker", keywords="mobile app", keywords="retrospective", keywords="logistic regression", keywords="mHealth", keywords="digital health", keywords="mobile phone", abstract="Background: Mobile health technologies show promise in addressing metabolic syndrome, but their comparative effectiveness in large-scale public health interventions remains unclear. Objective: This study aims to compare the effectiveness of wearable devices (wearable activity trackers) and mobile app--based activity trackers (built-in step counters) in promoting walking practice, improving health behaviors, and reducing metabolic syndrome risk within a national mobile health care program operated by the Korea Health Promotion Institute. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 46,579 participants in South Korea's national mobile health care program (2020?2022). Participants used wearable devices for 12 weeks, after which some switched to built-in step counters. The study collected data on demographics, health behaviors, and metabolic syndrome risk factors at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. Outcomes included changes in walking practice, health behaviors, and metabolic syndrome risk factors. Metabolic syndrome risk was assessed based on 5 factors: blood pressure, fasting glucose, waist circumference, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Health behaviors included low-sodium diet preference, nutrition label reading, regular breakfast consumption, aerobic physical activity, and regular walking. To address potential selection bias, propensity score matching was performed, balancing the 2 groups on baseline characteristics including age, gender, education level, occupation, insurance type, smoking status, and alcohol consumption. Results: Both wearable activity tracker and built-in step counter groups exhibited significant improvements across all evaluated outcomes. The improvement rates for regular walking practice, health behavior changes, and metabolic syndrome risk reduction were high in both groups, with percentages ranging from 45.2\% to 60.8\%. After propensity score matching, both device types showed substantial improvements across all indicators. The built-in step counter group demonstrated greater reductions in metabolic syndrome risk compared to the wearable device group (odds ratio [OR] 1.20, 95\% CI 1.05?1.36). No significant differences were found in overall health behavior improvements (OR 0.95, 95\% CI 0.83?1.09) or walking practice (OR 0.84, 95\% CI 0.70?1.01) between the 2 groups. Age-specific subgroup analyses revealed that the association between built-in step counters and metabolic syndrome risk reduction was more pronounced in young adults aged 19?39 years (OR 1.35, 95\% CI 1.09?1.68). Among Android use subgroups, built-in step counters were associated with a higher reduction in health risk factors (OR 1.20, 95\% CI 1.03?1.39). Conclusions: Both wearable devices and built-in step counters effectively reduced metabolic syndrome risk in a large-scale public health intervention, with built-in step counters showing a slight advantage. The findings suggest that personalized device recommendations based on individual characteristics, such as age and specific health risk factors, may enhance the effectiveness of mobile health interventions. Future research should explore the mechanisms behind these differences and their long-term impacts on health outcomes. ", doi="10.2196/64527", url="https://mhealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e64527" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/56230, author="Hassdenteufel, Kathrin and M{\"u}ller, Mitho and Abele, Harald and Brucker, Yvonne Sara and Graf, Johanna and Zipfel, Stephan and Bauer, Armin and Jakubowski, Peter and Pauluschke-Fr{\"o}hlich, Jan and Wallwiener, Markus and Wallwiener, Stephanie", title="Improving Maternal Mental Health and Weight Control With a Mindfulness Blended Care Approach: Insights From a Randomized Controlled Trial", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Feb", day="24", volume="27", pages="e56230", keywords="peripartum mental health", keywords="digital intervention", keywords="depression", keywords="anxiety", keywords="personal coaching", keywords="ehealth", keywords="pregnancy", keywords="maternal mental health", keywords="weight gain", keywords="mindfulness-based intervention", keywords="coaching", keywords="randomized controlled clinical trial", keywords="postpartum", keywords="treatment", keywords="electronic", keywords="effectiveness", keywords="women", abstract="Background: Perinatal maternal mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, are highly prevalent during pregnancy and post partum. Electronic mindfulness-based interventions (eMBIs) are a promising treatment option, which can be provided in a low-threshold, cost-effective manner. However, research underscores the fact that face-to-face coaching sessions are more effective than solely digital methods. A blended care approach (eMBI with direct face-to-face coaching) could amplify the therapeutic impact on maternal mental health and weight gain during the perinatal period. Objective: We investigated whether combining an eMBI intervention with face-to-face personal support significantly improves maternal mental health, and whether the intervention can influence weight gain in affected women during pregnancy. Methods: A community-based sample of 460 pregnant women with a singleton pregnancy who screened positive for depression was enrolled in a multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) including the University Hospitals of Heidelberg and T{\"u}bingen as well as more than 200 gynecological practices within the state of Baden-W{\"u}rttemberg in Germany between February 2019 and October 2020. Participating women were randomized 1:1 to the control group (CG) or intervention group (IG) that received access to an 8-week pregnancy-adapted eMBI between the 29th and 36th gestational week. In a subanalysis, we grouped participants in those receiving only the initial face-to-face coaching session at recruitment (no personal coaching) and those with ?2 personal coaching sessions. Primary outcome measures were severity of depressive symptoms using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, anxiety using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire, the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory, and the Patient Health Questionnaire; secondary outcome measure, BMI. Results: In the final sample, 137 CG women and 102 IG women received only one coaching session, whereas 37 CG women and 40 IG women received at least 2 (mean 2.3, SD 0.7) coaching sessions. The analyses were adjusted for significant confounders. The IG's mindfulness scores increased significantly (F1.873,344.619=4.560, P=.01, $\eta${\texttwosuperior}=0.024, $\omega${\texttwosuperior}=0.012) regardless of coaching frequency. Both general anxiety (F12,129=2.361, P=.01, $\eta${\texttwosuperior}=0.0180, $\omega${\texttwosuperior}=0.100) and depression symptoms (F4.758, 699.423=3.033, P=.01, $\eta${\texttwosuperior}=0.020, $\omega${\texttwosuperior}=0.009) were significantly lower in the group that received ?2 coaching sessions than in the no-personal-coaching group. In the group receiving ?2 coaching sessions, BMI generally was lower in the IG than in the CG (F3.555,444.416=4.732, P=.002, $\eta${\texttwosuperior}=0.036, $\omega${\texttwosuperior}=0.013). Conclusions: Adding a minimal amount of PC to the digital eMBI increased mindfulness and decreased birth-related anxiety, symptoms of depression, and anxiety in at-risk pregnant women. Favorable effects on gestational weight gain were found in the respective IGs, the strongest effect being within the PC group. This blended digital health approach amplifies the effectiveness of the digital intervention. Trial Registration: German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00017210; https://www.drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00017210 ", doi="10.2196/56230", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e56230", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39992700" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/68667, author="Prochnow, Tyler and Dunton, F. Genevieve and de la Haye, Kayla and Pollack Porter, M. Keshia and Lee, Chanam", title="Combining Ecological Momentary Assessment and Social Network Analysis to Study Youth Physical Activity and Environmental Influences: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Feasibility Study", journal="JMIR Res Protoc", year="2025", month="Feb", day="21", volume="14", pages="e68667", keywords="physical activity", keywords="youth", keywords="social environment", keywords="built environment", keywords="ecological momentary assessment", keywords="social network analysis", keywords="phenotypes", keywords="accelerometry", keywords="GPS", abstract="Background: Physical activity (PA) is crucial for youth health, but up to 74\% of adolescents fail to meet recommended levels, especially during summer when structured supports associated with school are not available. The social and built environments significantly influence youth PA; yet, their complex interactions remain poorly understood. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of combining ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and social network analysis to examine bidirectional influences among youth PA, built environments, and social networks during summer. Objective: The objectives are to (1) evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the combined EMA and Social Network Analysis protocol, and (2) identify phenotypes using person-level, microtemporal, and dynamic overlap between social and built environments. Methods: This mixed methods feasibility study with an exploratory observational component will recruit 120 youth aged 12 years to 15 years from an urban school district in Central Texas, US. Participants will first complete a baseline survey to report their general social network patterns and environmental perceptions. Then participants will wear an ActiGraph LEAP accelerometer and respond to EMA prompts via smartphone for 7 days. EMA will assess real-time perceptions of social networks and surrounding built environments, which will be time-matched with accelerometer-assessed PA data. GPS coordinates will be collected with each EMA prompt to assess features of the built environment. Follow-up semistructured interviews will assess protocol acceptability. Results: This study has been funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Data collection is expected in the summers of 2025, 2026, and 2027. Conclusions: This innovative approach combines EMA, SNA, accelerometry, and GPS data to provide unprecedented insights into the dynamic interplay between social networks, built environments, and youth PA during summer. Findings will inform the development of more targeted, effective interventions to promote PA among youth. While limitations include potential participant burden and generalizability, the study's strengths in capturing real-time, contextualized data make it a valuable contribution to understanding youth PA determinants. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/68667 ", doi="10.2196/68667", url="https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e68667" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/65214, author="Kirchner-Krath, Jeanine and Schmidt-Kraepelin, Manuel and Schm{\"a}hl, Katharina and Sch{\"u}tz, Christoph and Morschheuser, Benedikt and Sunyaev, Ali", title="Behavior Change Support Systems for Self-Treating Procrastination: Systematic Search in App Stores and Analysis of Motivational Design Archetypes", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Feb", day="20", volume="27", pages="e65214", keywords="procrastination", keywords="mobile apps", keywords="cluster analysis", keywords="motivational design", keywords="persuasive technology", keywords="behavior change support systems", keywords="behavior change techniques", keywords="mobile health", keywords="mHealth", keywords="mobile phone", keywords="artificial intelligence", keywords="AI", abstract="Background: The phenomenon of procrastination refers to an individual's conscious decision to postpone the completion of tasks despite being aware of its adverse consequences in the future. Extant research in this field shows that procrastination is associated with increased levels of anxiety and stress and the likelihood of developing depression and calls for the development of suitable interventions that support individuals in making lasting positive changes to their procrastination behaviors. In parallel, practice has produced a plethora of behavior change support systems (BCSSs) that aim to provide a low-threshold, accessible alternative to in-person therapeutic approaches. Most of these BCSSs can be considered motivational BCSSs that combine functional, utilitarian components with hedonic and eudaimonic design elements to empower self-treatment. Although early studies have suggested the potential benefits of such BCSSs, research on understanding their specific design characteristics and support of individuals in self-treating procrastination is still in its infancy. Objective: In response to this gap between practice and research, we aimed to analyze and systemize the multitude of practical design efforts in motivational BCSSs for the self-treatment of procrastination and identify the main design archetypes that have emerged. Methods: We conducted a 3-step research approach. First, we identified 127 behavior change support apps for procrastination through a systematic screening process in the German and US Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Second, we systematically coded the identified apps in terms of the behavior change techniques targeted by their functional design and hedonic or eudaimonic design elements. Third, we conducted a 2-step cluster analysis to identify archetypes of motivational design in behavior change support apps to combat procrastination. Results: A variety of motivational designs have been developed and implemented in practice, and our analysis identified five main archetypes: (1) structured progress monitor, (2) self-improvement guide, (3) productivity adventure, (4) emotional wellness coach, and (5) social focus companion. The identified archetypes target different psychological determinants of procrastination and successfully use a variety of hedonic and eudaimonic design elements that extend beyond the current state of research. Conclusions: The results of our study provide a foundation for future research endeavors that aim to examine the comparative effects of motivational design archetypes and develop more effective interventions tailored to individual needs. For practitioners, the findings reveal the contemporary design space of motivational BCSSs to support the self-treatment of procrastination and may serve as blueprints that can guide the design of future systems. For individuals seeking support and health professionals treating procrastination, our study systemizes the landscape of apps, thereby facilitating the selection of one that best aligns with the patient's individual needs. ", doi="10.2196/65214", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e65214", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39977017" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/65451, author="Thompson, R. Jessica and Weber, J. Summer and Mulvaney, A. Shelagh and Goggans, Susanna and Brown, Madeline and Faiola, Anthony and Maamari, Lynn and Hull, C. Pamela", title="Parental Perceptions of Priorities and Features for a Mobile App to Promote Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors in Preschool Children: Mixed Methods Evaluation", journal="JMIR Pediatr Parent", year="2025", month="Feb", day="19", volume="8", pages="e65451", keywords="mHealth", keywords="childhood obesity", keywords="mixed methods", keywords="pediatric", keywords="healthy lifestyle behaviors", keywords="preschool children", keywords="mobile application", keywords="diet", keywords="physical activity", keywords="exercise", keywords="media use", keywords="sleep", keywords="development", keywords="semi-structured interviews", keywords="healthy eating", keywords="parents", keywords="caregivers", abstract="Background: Parents of preschool-aged children are a key focus for interventions to shape healthy lifestyle behaviors and support risk reduction for obesity from an early age. In light of limited existing evidence on the use of mobile technology to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors among young children, we sought to gather parental priorities regarding a mobile app focused on guided goal setting across the domains of diet, physical activity, media use, and sleep. Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the priorities and needs of parents of 2- to 5-year-old children to guide developing the content and features of a mobile app aimed at promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors using a novel convergent mixed methods approach. Methods: From November to December 2021, we invited parents or guardians in Kentucky to complete a series of web-based concept mapping activities and semistructured interviews (total N=30). Using 2 lists of items focused on (1) parental priorities (content areas) and (2) application features, we asked participants to conduct concept mapping procedures for each list: a web-based sorting activity, where participants grouped items together into thematic piles that made sense to them, and a rating activity, where participants rated each item on a 5-point Likert-type scale. The qualitative interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded, and then analyzed by constant comparative analysis to identify themes. We used the quantitative findings from the concept mapping process to triangulate the resulting themes from the qualitative interviews and generate possible app content areas and features. Results: The concept mapping results resulted in two 3-cluster concept maps. For parental priorities, participants identified the clusters Creating Healthy Eating Habits, Forming Boundaries, and Building Good Relationships; for app features, participant clusters included Eating Healthy, Using the App, and Setting Goals. The interview themes also represented those 2 domains. Overall, the participants indicated that the top priorities were general health and wellbeing, routine and setting boundaries, and food and healthy eating when it comes to building healthy behaviors among their preschool-aged children. Parents indicated that quick, easy, and child-friendly recipes, goal tracking, and the use of tips and notifications were the features they valued most. Conclusions: This study contributes to the understanding of what parents or caregivers of young children want from mobile apps, in both content and features, to support building healthy behaviors and routines. The findings can inform future research on the development and evaluation of existing or new mobile apps. Specific app features identified to meet family needs should be designed closely with a diverse set of families and tested using rigorous designs to identify the mechanisms of action that mobile apps may use for efficacious healthy parenting outcomes. ", doi="10.2196/65451", url="https://pediatrics.jmir.org/2025/1/e65451" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/57512, author="Zhang, Tianyi and Camargo, Andres and Schmaal, Lianne and Kostakos, Vassilis and D'Alfonso, Simon", title="Nomophobia, Psychopathology, and Smartphone-Inferred Behaviors in Youth With Depression: Longitudinal Study", journal="JMIR Form Res", year="2025", month="Feb", day="19", volume="9", pages="e57512", keywords="mobile sensing", keywords="nomophobia", keywords="digital phenotyping", keywords="depression", keywords="mental health", keywords="smartphone use", keywords="personal sensing", keywords="behavior analysis", keywords="machine learning", keywords="mobile health", keywords="mobile phone", abstract="Background: Smartphones have become an indispensable part of people's lives, and the fear of being without them, what has been termed ``no mobile phone phobia'' (nomophobia), is a growing phenomenon. The rise of problematic smartphone use highlights the urgent need to explore the intricate relationship between smartphones and human behavior. However, the connections between nomophobia, mental health indicators, smartphone use patterns, and daily activities remain largely underexplored. Objective: This study aimed to explore the relationship between young adults with depression and smartphones and investigate nomophobia by analyzing data obtained from a pilot study of depression in a youth cohort. Exploring nomophobia can enhance our understanding of the dynamics between young adults and smartphone use, potentially empowering them to manage and regulate their smartphone use more effectively. Methods: During an 8-week period, data collected via smartphone sensors, such as locations and screen status, were gathered from a cohort of 41 individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder. In addition to passive-sensing smartphone data, the study collected ecological momentary assessments and psychometric measures, including the Nomophobia Questionnaire, which formed the basis of our investigation. We explored statistical associations among smartphone-derived behavioral features, psychometric indicators, and nomophobia. In addition, we used behavioral and psychometric data to develop regression models demonstrating the prediction of nomophobia levels. Results: Our findings revealed that the level of nomophobia was positively associated with depression and negative affect, lower geolocation movements, and higher comfort with smartphone sensing. The exploratory predictive linear regression models demonstrated the feasibility of predicting an individual's Nomophobia Questionnaire score based on their smartphone sensing data. These models effectively used input features derived from both a combination of smartphone sensing data and psychometric measures and from smartphone sensing data alone. Conclusions: Our work is the first to explore the relationship between nomophobia and smartphone sensor data. It provides valuable insights into the predictors of nomophobia level, contributing to the understanding of the relationship between smartphones and human behavior and paving the way for future studies. ", doi="10.2196/57512", url="https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e57512", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39969982" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/63209, author="Li, Min and Liu, Shiyu and Yu, Binyang and Li, Ning and Lyu, Aili and Yang, Haiyan and He, Haiyan and Zhang, Na and Ma, Jingru and Sun, Meichen and Du, Hong and Gao, Rui", title="Assessing the Effectiveness of Digital Health Behavior Strategies on Type 2 Diabetes Management: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Feb", day="14", volume="27", pages="e63209", keywords="T2DM", keywords="type 2 diabetes mellitus", keywords="digital health interventions", keywords="behavior strategy", keywords="strategy combinations", keywords="effectiveness", keywords="network meta-analysis", abstract="Background: Various mobile technologies and digital health interventions (DHIs) have been developed for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) management. Strategies are crucial for ensuring the effectiveness of DHIs. However, there is currently a lack of categorization and summarization of the strategies used in DHIs for T2DM. Objective: This study aims to (1) identify and categorize the strategies used in DHIs for T2DM management; (2) assess the effectiveness of these DHI strategies; and (3) compare and rank the efficacy of different strategy combinations on glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, BMI, and weight loss. Methods: Relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were extracted from PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Three rounds of screening and selection were conducted. The strategies were identified and categorized based on the principles of behavior change techniques and behavior strategies. The synthesis framework for the assessment of health IT was used to structure the evaluation of the DHI strategies qualitatively. A network meta-analysis was performed to compare the efficacy of different strategy combinations. The data quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Results: A total of 52 RCTs were included, identifying 63 strategies categorized into 19 strategy themes. The most commonly used strategies were guide, monitor, management, and engagement. Most studies reported positive or mixed outcomes for most indicators based on the synthesis framework for the assessment of health IT. Research involving a medium or high number of strategies was found to be more effective than research involving a low number of strategies. Of 52 RCTs, 27 (52\%) were included in the network meta-analysis. The strategy combination of communication, engagement, guide, and management was most effective in reducing HbA1c levels (mean difference [MD] --1.04, 95\% CI --1.55 to --0.54), while the strategy combination of guide, management, and monitor was effective in reducing FBG levels (MD --0.96, 95\% CI --1.86 to --0.06). The strategy combination of communication, engagement, goal setting, management, and support was most effective for BMI (MD --2.30, 95\% CI --3.16 to --1.44) and weight management (MD --6.50, 95\% CI --8.82 to --4.18). Conclusions: Several DHI strategy combinations were effective in reducing HbA1c levels, FBG levels, BMI, and weight in T2DM management. Health care professionals should be encouraged to apply these promising strategy combinations in DHIs during clinical care. Future research should further explore and optimize the design and implementation of strategies. Trial Registration: PROSPERO CRD42024544629; https://tinyurl.com/3zp2znxt ", doi="10.2196/63209", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e63209" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/68251, author="Kimhy, David and Ospina, H. Luz and Wall, Melanie and Alschuler, M. Daniel and Jarskog, F. Lars and Ballon, S. Jacob and McEvoy, Joseph and Bartels, N. Matthew and Buchsbaum, Richard and Goodman, Marianne and Miller, A. Sloane and Stroup, Scott T.", title="Telehealth-Based vs In-Person Aerobic Exercise in Individuals With Schizophrenia: Comparative Analysis of Feasibility, Safety, and Efficacy", journal="JMIR Ment Health", year="2025", month="Feb", day="14", volume="12", pages="e68251", keywords="schizophrenia", keywords="psychosis", keywords="exercise", keywords="aerobic fitness", keywords="VO2max", keywords="telehealth", keywords="telemedicine", keywords="COVID-19", keywords="clinical trial", keywords="safety", keywords="maximum oxygen consumption", abstract="Background: Aerobic exercise (AE) training has been shown to enhance aerobic fitness in people with schizophrenia. Traditionally, such training has been administered in person at gyms or other communal exercise spaces. However, following the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, many clinics transitioned their services to telehealth-based delivery. Yet, at present, there is scarce information about the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of telehealth-based AE in this population. Objective: To examine the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of trainer-led, at-home, telehealth-based AE in individuals with schizophrenia. Methods: We analyzed data from the AE arm (n=37) of a single-blind, randomized clinical trial examining the impact of a 12-week AE intervention in people with schizophrenia. Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the AE trial intervention transitioned from in-person to at-home, telehealth-based delivery of AE, with the training frequency and duration remaining identical. We compared the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of the delivery of trainer-led AE training among participants undergoing in-person (pre--COVID-19; n=23) versus at-home telehealth AE (post--COVID-19; n=14). Results: The telehealth and in-person participants attended a similar number of exercise sessions across the 12-week interventions (26.8, SD 10.2 vs 26.1, SD 9.7, respectively; P=.84) and had similar number of weeks with at least 1 exercise session (10.4, SD 3.4 vs 10.6, SD 3.1, respectively; P=.79). The telehealth-based AE was associated with a significantly lower drop-out rate (telehealth: 0/14, 0\%; in-person: 7/23, 30.4\%; P=.04). There were no significant group differences in total time spent exercising (telehealth: 1246, SD 686 min; in-person: 1494, SD 580 min; P=.28); however, over the 12-week intervention, the telehealth group had a significantly lower proportion of session-time exercising at or above target intensity (telehealth: 33.3\%, SD 21.4\%; in-person: 63.5\%, SD 16.3\%; P<.001). There were no AE-related serious adverse events associated with either AE delivery format. Similarly, there were no significant differences in the percentage of participants experiencing minor or moderate adverse events, such as muscle soreness, joint pain, blisters, or dyspnea (telehealth: 3/14, 21\%; in-person: 5/19, 26\%; P>.99) or in the percentage of weeks per participant with at least 1 exercise-related adverse event (telehealth: 31\%, SD 33\%; in-person: 40\%, SD 33\%; P=.44). There were no significant differences between the telehealth versus in-person groups regarding changes in aerobic fitness as indexed by maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max; P=.27). Conclusions: Our findings provide preliminary support for the delivery of telehealth-based AE for individuals with schizophrenia. Our results indicate that in-home telehealth-based AE is feasible and safe in this population, although when available, in-person AE appears preferable given the opportunity for social interactions and the higher intensity of exercises. We discuss the findings' clinical implications, specifically within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as review potential challenges for the implementation of telehealth-based AE among people with schizophrenia. ", doi="10.2196/68251", url="https://mental.jmir.org/2025/1/e68251" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/56251, author="Beckett, Darcy and Curtis, Rachel and Szeto, Kimberley and Maher, Carol", title="Changing User Experience of Wearable Activity Monitors Over 7 Years: Repeat Cross-Sectional Survey Study", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Feb", day="13", volume="27", pages="e56251", keywords="cross-sectional survey", keywords="activity tracker", keywords="user experience", keywords="physical activity", keywords="sleep", keywords="diet", keywords="health behaviour", keywords="wearable activity trackers", keywords="cohort", keywords="Apple", keywords="Fitbit", keywords="preferences", keywords="reliability", keywords="accessibility", keywords="lifestyle", keywords="mobile phone", abstract="Background: Lifestyle behaviors, including physical inactivity, sedentary behavior, poor sleep, and unhealthy diet, significantly impact global population health. Wearable activity trackers (WATs) have emerged as tools to enhance health behaviors; however, their effectiveness and continued use depend on their user experience. Objective: This study aims to explore changes in user experiences, preferences, and perceived impacts of WATs from 2016 to 2023. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey among an international cohort of adults (n=475, comprising 387 current and 88 former WAT users). Results were compared with a 2016 cross-sectional online survey (n=237, comprising 200 current and 37 former WAT users) using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. The survey examined brand preference, feature usefulness, motivations, perceived health behavior change, social sharing behaviors, and technical issues. Results: In 2023, Apple (210/475, 44\%) and Fitbit (101/475, 21\%) were the most commonly used devices, compared with the 2016 survey where Fitbit (160/237, 68\%) and Garmin devices (39/237, 17\%) were most common. The median usage duration in 2023 was 18 months, significantly longer than the 7 months reported in 2016, with most users planning ongoing use. Users in both survey years reported greater improvements in physical activity than diet or sleep, despite lower improvement in physical activity in 2023 compared with 2016, contrasted with greater perceived improvements in diet and sleep. Social media sharing of WAT data notably rose to 73\% (283/387) in 2023 from 35\% (70/200) in 2016. However, reports of technical issues and discomfort increased, alongside a decrease in overall positive experiences. There was also a noticeable shift in discontinuation reasons, from having learned everything possible in 2016 to dissatisfaction in 2023. Conclusions: The study highlights significant shifts in WAT usage, including extended use and evolving preferences for brands and features. The rise in social media sharing indicates a deeper integration of WATs into everyday life. However, user feedback points to a need for enhanced design and functionality despite technological progress. These findings illustrate WAT's potential in health promotion, emphasizing the need for user-focused design in diverse populations to fully realize their benefits in enhancing health behaviors. ", doi="10.2196/56251", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e56251" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/60256, author="Lunde, Pernille and Bye, Asta and Grimsmo, Jostein and Pripp, Hugo Are and Ritschel, Vibeke and Jarstad, Even and Nilsson, Blakstad Birgitta", title="Effects of Individualized Follow-Up With an App Postcardiac Rehabilitation: Five-Year Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Trial", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Feb", day="13", volume="27", pages="e60256", keywords="mHealth", keywords="cardiac rehabilitation", keywords="mobile phone app", keywords="smartphone", keywords="lifestyle", abstract="Background: Adherence to healthy behaviors initiated or adapted during cardiac rehabilitation (CR) remains a significant challenge, with few patients meeting guideline standards for secondary prevention. The use of mobile health (mHealth) interventions has been proposed as a potential solution to improve adherence to healthy behaviors after CR. In particular, app-based interventions have shown promise due to their ability to provide monitoring and feedback anytime and anywhere. Growing evidence supports the use of apps in post-CR settings to enhance adherence. In 2020, we demonstrated that individualized follow-up via an app increased adherence to healthy behaviors 1 year after CR. However, it remains uncertain whether these effects persist once the follow-up is discontinued. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the long-term effects of individualized follow-up using an app, assessed 4 years after the intervention. Methods: A single-blinded multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted. Patients were recruited from 2 CR centers in eastern Norway. The intervention group (IG) received individualized follow-up through an app for 1 year, while the control group (CG) received usual care. After the 1-year follow-up, the app-based follow-up was discontinued for the IG, and both groups were encouraged to maintain or improve their healthy behaviors based on their individual risk profiles. The primary outcome was the difference in peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak). The secondary outcomes included exercise performance, body weight, blood pressure, lipid profile, exercise habits, health-related quality of life, health status, cardiac events, and physical activity. Linear mixed models for repeated measurements were used to analyze differences between groups. All tests were 2-sided, and P values ?0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: At the 5-year follow-up, 101 out of the initial 113 randomized participants were reassessed. Intention-to-treat analyses, using a mixed model for repeated measurements, revealed a statistically significant difference (P=.04) in exercise habits in favor of the IG, with a mean difference of 0.67 (95\% CI 0.04-1.29) exercise sessions per week. Statistically significant differences were also observed in triglycerides (mean difference 0.40, 95\% CI 0.00-0.79 mmol/l, P=.048) and walking (P=.03), but these were in favor of the CG. No differences were found between the groups for other evaluated outcomes. Conclusions: Most of the benefits derived from the app-based follow-up diminished by 4 years after the intervention. Although the IG reported statistically significantly higher levels of exercise, this did not translate into improved VO2peak or exercise performance. Our study highlights the need for follow-up from health care providers to enhance adherence to healthy behaviors in the long term following CR. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03174106; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03174106 (original study protocol) and NCT05697120; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05697120 (updated study protocol) ", doi="10.2196/60256", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e60256" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/66852, author="Asadollahi, Fateme and Ebrahimzadeh Zagami, Samira and Eslami, Saeid and Latifnejad Roudsari, Robab", title="Evaluating the Quality, Content Accuracy, and User Suitability of mHealth Prenatal Care Apps for Expectant Mothers: Critical Assessment Study", journal="Asian Pac Isl Nurs J", year="2025", month="Feb", day="13", volume="9", pages="e66852", keywords="pregnancy", keywords="prenatal care", keywords="mobile health apps", keywords="mHealth", keywords="women's health", keywords="health care providers", keywords="quality assessment", keywords="content evaluation", keywords="suitability assessment", keywords="digital health", keywords="smartphones", keywords="eHealth", keywords="telehealth", keywords="telemedicine", keywords="health promotion", keywords="technology", keywords="functionality", keywords="systematic search", abstract="Background: The proliferation of health apps in the digital health landscape has created significant opportunities for health promotion, particularly during pregnancy. However, despite the widespread distribution and popularity of pregnancy mobile apps, there are limited data on their quality and content. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the quality, content accuracy, and suitability of the most popular and freely available Persian mobile health (mHealth) apps for prenatal care in expectant mothers. Methods: Through a systematic search, a total of 199 apps were screened from available app stores using the search term ``pregnancy app'' until July 2023. Inclusion criteria were apps in the Farsi language, freely available, downloaded more than 10,000 times, and designed for pregnant women. Ultimately, 9 apps met these criteria. These apps were downloaded onto mobile phones and assessed by 2 independent reviewers using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS), the Coverage and Depth of Information Checklist, and the Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM). Statistical analyses explored relationships between app quality metrics and user ratings. Results: The 9 apps evaluated had an average MARS score of 3.55 (SD 0.61) out of 5. Aesthetics (mean 4.02, SD 0.45) and Functionality (mean 4.11, SD 0.36) scored the highest, followed by Engagement (mean 3.29, SD 0.53) and Information (mean 3.09, SD 0.48). User star ratings did not strongly correlate with MARS scores (r=0.38, P>.05). Regarding health information coverage, 6 out of 9 (66.7\%) apps were rated as poor, and 3 (33.3\%) as adequate. For SAM, 4 (44.4\%) apps were rated as superior and 5 (55.6\%) as adequate. No app received a poor score. Conclusions: The study underscores the need for improved standards in pregnancy app development to enhance educational efficacy and user satisfaction. Health care providers should recommend high-quality pregnancy apps with appropriate content to ensure effective health promotion. These findings contribute to understanding the current landscape of pregnancy apps and highlight areas for future research and regulatory attention. Trial Registration: PROSPERO CRD42023461605; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display\_record.php?RecordID=461605 ", doi="10.2196/66852", url="https://apinj.jmir.org/2025/1/e66852" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/56533, author="Smith, R. Abigail and Mueller, R. Elizabeth and Lewis, E. Cora and Markland, Alayne and Smerdon, Caroline and Smith, L. Ariana and Sutcliffe, Siobhan and Wyman, F. Jean and Low, Kane Lisa and Miller, M. Janis and ", title="Assessment of Environmental, Sociocultural, and Physiological Influences on Women's Toileting Decisions and Behaviors Using ``Where I Go'': Pilot Study of a Mobile App", journal="JMIR Mhealth Uhealth", year="2025", month="Feb", day="12", volume="13", pages="e56533", keywords="ecological momentary assessment", keywords="time location factors", keywords="voiding diary", keywords="voiding behaviors", keywords="population studies", keywords="mobile application", keywords="app", keywords="bladder health", keywords="data collection tool", keywords="decision support", abstract="Background: Little is known about women's decisions around toileting for urination and how those decisions influence moment-to-moment behaviors to manage bladder needs. The new smartphone app ``Where I Go'' captures such nuanced and granular data in real-world environments. Objective: This study aims to describe participant engagement with ``Where I Go'', variation in novel parameters collected, and readiness for the data collection tool's use in population-based studies. Methods: ``Where I Go'' has three components: (1) real-time data, (2) short look-back periods (3?4 h), and (3) event location (GPS recorded at each interaction). The sample size was 44 women. Recording of real-time toileting events and responding to look-back questions was measured over 2 days of data collection. The participant's self-entered location descriptions and the automatic GPS recordings were compared. Results: A total of 44 women with an average age of 44 (range 21-85) years interacted with the app. Real-time reporting of at least 1 toileting event per day was high (38/44, 86\%, on day 1 and 40/44, 91\%, on day 2) with a median of 5 (IQR 3-7 on day 1 and IQR 3-8 on day 2) toileting events recorded each day. Toileting most commonly occurred at home (85/140, 61\%, on day 1 and 129/171, 75\%, on day 2) due to a need to go (114/140, 66\%, on day 1 and 153/171, 74\%, on day 2). The most common reasons for delaying toileting were ``work duties'' (33/140, 21\%, on day 1 and 21/171, 11\%, on day 2) and ``errands or traveling'' (19/140, 12\%, on day 1 and 19/171, 10\%, on day 2). Response to at least 1 look-back notification was similarly high (41/44, 93\%, on day 1 and 42/44, 95\%, on day 2), with number of responses higher on average on day 2 compared with day 1 (mean on day 1=3.2, 95\% CI 3.0-3.5; mean on day 2=4.3, 95\% CI 3.9-4.7; P<.001). Median additional toileting events reported on the look-back survey were 1 (IQR 1-2) and 2 (IQR 1-2) on days 1 and 2, respectively. Overall concordance between self-reported location recording and GPS was 76\% (188/247). Participants reported lower urge ratings when at home versus away when reporting real-time toileting (median rating 61, IQR 41-84 vs 72, IQR 56-98), and daily fluid intake showed a small to medium positive correlation with toileting frequency (day 1 r=0.3, day 2 r=0.24). Toileting frequency reported in ``Where I Go'' showed a small positive correlation with the frequency item from the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (r=0.31 with day 1 toileting frequency and r=0.21 with day 2 toileting frequency). Conclusions: ``Where I Go'' has potential to increase the understanding of factors that affect women's toileting decisions and long-term bladder health. We anticipate its use as a data collection tool in population-based studies. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/54046 ", doi="10.2196/56533", url="https://mhealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e56533" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/51271, author="De Croon, Robin and Segovia-Lizano, Daniela and Finglas, Paul and Vanden Abeele, Vero and Verbert, Katrien", title="An Explanation Interface for Healthy Food Recommendations in a Real-Life Workplace Deployment: User-Centered Design Study", journal="JMIR Mhealth Uhealth", year="2025", month="Feb", day="11", volume="13", pages="e51271", keywords="food recommender systems", keywords="personalized nutrition", keywords="healthy eating", keywords="human-computer interaction", keywords="real-life deployment", keywords="food catering", keywords="meal recommendations", keywords="nutritional profile", keywords="transparency", abstract="Background: Despite widespread awareness of healthy eating principles, many individuals struggle to translate this knowledge into consistent, sustainable dietary change. Food recommender systems, increasingly used in various settings, offer the potential for personalized guidance and behavior change support. However, traditional approaches may prioritize user preferences or popularity metrics without sufficiently considering long-term nutritional goals. This can inadvertently reinforce unhealthy eating patterns. Emerging research suggests that incorporating explanations into recommender systems can increase transparency, promote informed decision-making, and potentially influence food choices. Yet, the effectiveness of explanations in promoting healthy choices within complex, real-world food environments remain largely unexplored. Objective: This study aims to investigate the design, implementation, and preliminary evaluation of a food recommender system that integrates explanations in a real-world food catering application. We seek to understand how such a system can promote healthy choices while addressing the inherent tensions between user control, meal variety, and the need for nutritionally sound recommendations. Specifically, our objectives are to (1) identify and prioritize key design considerations for food recommenders that balance personalization, nutritional guidance, and user experience; and (2) conduct a proof-of-principle study in a real-life setting to assess the system's effect on user understanding, trust, and potentially on dietary choices. Methods: An iterative, user-centered design process guided the development and refinement of the system across 4 phases: (Phase 0) an exploratory qualitative study (N=26) to understand stakeholder needs and initial system impressions, (Phases 1 and 2) rapid prototyping in real-life deployments (N=45 and N=16, respectively) to iteratively improve usability and features, and (Phase 3) a proof-of-principle study with employees (N=136) to evaluate a set of design goals. We collected a mix of data, including usage logs, pre- and post-study questionnaires, in-app feedback, and a pre- and post--Food Frequency Questionnaire to establish nutritional profiles. Results: Although we experienced a high drop-out (77\% after 7 weeks), motivated and remaining participants valued personalization features, particularly the ability to configure allergies and lifestyle preferences. Explanations increased understanding of recommendations and created a sense of control, even when preferences and healthy options did not fully align. However, a mismatch persisted between individual preferences and nutritionally optimal recommendations. This highlights the design challenge of balancing user control, meal variety, and the promotion of healthy eating. Conclusions: Integrating explanations into personalized food recommender systems might be promising for supporting healthier food choices and creating a more informed understanding of dietary patterns. Our findings could highlight the importance of balancing user control with both the practical limitations of food service settings and the need for nutritionally sound recommendations. While fully resolving the tension between immediate preferences and long-term health goals is an ongoing challenge, explanations can play a crucial role in promoting more conscious decision-making. ", doi="10.2196/51271", url="https://mhealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e51271" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/60495, author="Perez Ramirez, Alejandra and Ortega, Adrian and Stephenson, Natalie and Mu{\~n}oz Osorio, Angel and Kazak, Anne and Phan, Thao-Ly", title="mHealth App to Promote Healthy Lifestyles for Diverse Families Living in Rural Areas: Usability Study", journal="JMIR Form Res", year="2025", month="Feb", day="11", volume="9", pages="e60495", keywords="obesity", keywords="user testing", keywords="mHealth", keywords="mobile health", keywords="Spanish", keywords="child", keywords="rural population", abstract="Background: Mobile Integrated Care for Childhood Obesity is a multicomponent intervention for caregivers of young children with obesity from rural communities that was developed in collaboration with community, parent, and health care partners. It includes community programming to promote healthy lifestyles and address social needs and health care visits with an interdisciplinary team. A digital mobile health platform---the Healthy Lifestyle (Nemours Children's Health) dashboard---was designed as a self-management tool for caregivers to use as part of Mobile Integrated Care for Childhood Obesity. Objective: This study aimed to improve the usability of the English and Spanish language versions of the Healthy Lifestyle dashboard. Methods: During a 3-phased approach, usability testing was conducted with a diverse group of parents. In total, 7 mothers of children with obesity from rural communities (average age 39, SD 4.9 years; 4 Spanish-speaking and 3 English-speaking) provided feedback on a prototype of the dashboard. Participants verbalized their thoughts while using the prototype to complete 4 tasks. Preferences on the dashboard icon and resource page layout were also collected. Testing was done until feedback reached saturation and no additional substantive changes were suggested. Qualitative and quantitative data regarding usability, acceptability, and understandability were analyzed. Results: The dashboard was noted to be acceptable by 100\% (N=7) of the participants. Overall, participants found the dashboard easy to navigate and found the resources, notifications, and ability to communicate with the health care team to be especially helpful. However, all (N=4) of the Spanish-speaking participants identified challenges related to numeracy (eg, difficulty interpreting the growth chart) and literacy (eg, features not fully available in Spanish), which informed iterative refinements to make the dashboard clearer and more literacy-sensitive. All 7 participants (100\%) selected the same dashboard icon and 71\% (5/7) preferred the final resource page layout. Conclusions: Conducting usability testing with key demographic populations, especially Spanish-speaking populations, was important to developing a mobile health intervention that is user-friendly, culturally relevant, and literacy-sensitive. ", doi="10.2196/60495", url="https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e60495", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39932772" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/58917, author="Henry, M. Lauren and Blay-Tofey, Morkeh and Haeffner, E. Clara and Raymond, N. Cassandra and Tandilashvili, Elizabeth and Terry, Nancy and Kiderman, Miryam and Metcalf, Olivia and Brotman, A. Melissa and Lopez-Guzman, Silvia", title="Just-In-Time Adaptive Interventions to Promote Behavioral Health: Protocol for a Systematic Review", journal="JMIR Res Protoc", year="2025", month="Feb", day="11", volume="14", pages="e58917", keywords="just-in-time adaptive interventions", keywords="JITAI", keywords="behavioral health", keywords="systematic review", keywords="behavior change", keywords="health outcomes", keywords="accessibility", keywords="digital treatment delivery", keywords="mobile phone", abstract="Background: The goal of just-in-time adaptive interventions (JITAIs) is to use mobile, digital tools to provide individuals with personalized interventions at the optimal time and in the optimal context. Accordingly, JITAIs are promising for advancing accessible, equitable, and evidence-based treatment for behavioral health. To guide future inquiry in this space, a review of the literature is needed to describe the state of research on JITAIs for behavioral health. Objective: This study aims to systematically review the literature to describe the landscape of existing JITAIs for behavioral health at any stage of intervention development. In addition, conditional upon a sufficiently homogeneous literature, we will conduct meta-analyses to investigate the effectiveness of JITAIs for promoting distal outcomes (here, aspects of behavioral health) and proximal outcomes (eg, emotion regulation). Methods: This systematic review is being conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-P (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols). We developed our search strategy and executed the literature search in collaboration with biomedical librarians; 5 databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science: Core Collection, and APA PsycINFO) were searched, and results were managed using EndNote 20 (Clarivate). We are screening (title, abstract, and full text) all records in duplicate in Covidence according to eligibility criteria. Data items will be extracted, and risk of bias will be assessed in duplicate from the included articles in Covidence. We will summarize JITAI characteristics in tables and text. We will conduct meta-analyses for the distal and proximal outcomes conditional upon sufficient homogeneity in subgroups. Moderation (conditional upon sufficient heterogeneity of outcomes) and mediation (ie, whether changes in proximal outcomes mediate the relation between JITAIs and distal outcomes) will be conducted as appropriate. We will investigate publication bias and use the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation to characterize the quality of evidence of our estimates. Results: The search strategy was developed between July 2023 and November 2023. The literature search was executed between November 2023 and December 2023. Title and abstract screening began in December 2023, and full-text screening began in May 2024. Data extraction and analyses have not begun. Conclusions: Here, we propose a systematic review to assess the state of the literature on JITAIs for behavioral health. The insights derived from this study will describe the literature on JITAIs in promoting behavioral health, reinforce JITAI definitions, clarify JITAI elements, and inform the next steps in JITAI research. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/58917 ", doi="10.2196/58917", url="https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e58917", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39932763" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/65128, author="Kim, Jaeyeon and Choi, Yiseul and Song, Yoolbin and Park, Wonse", title="Smartphone-Based Telemonitoring for Better Oral Health With Toothbrushes: 6-Month Randomized Controlled Trial", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Feb", day="10", volume="27", pages="e65128", keywords="clinical studies", keywords="clinical trials", keywords="oral hygiene", keywords="plaque", keywords="plaque biofilms", keywords="halitosis", keywords="microbiome", abstract="Background: A toothbrush device that telemonitors toothbrushing is a technologically advanced solution providing personalized feedback on toothbrushing habits and oral hygiene. These devices integrate smartphone apps to enhance oral health compliance through dental professional feedback. Objective: This 6-month prospective randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the clinical effectiveness, defined as improved oral hygiene measured by plaque reduction and halitosis control, of an interactive telemonitoring toothbrush (ITT), an oscillating-rotating power toothbrush (ORT), and a manual toothbrush (MT). Methods: Participants were recruited offline from the Department of Advanced General Dentistry at Yonsei University Dental Hospital, South Korea. A total of 150 participants were randomly assigned to 3 groups (50 participants each): (1) an ITT connected to a smartphone app providing real-time feedback and weekly dental professional reviews, (2) an ORT with smartphone-based guidance requiring participants to send weekly brushing records via screenshots, and (3) an MT with a brushing diary for review. Data collection occurred in clinical settings. Primary outcomes included plaque reduction measured using the Simple Hygiene Score (SHS), while secondary outcomes included plaque reduction measured using the Turesky modification of the Quigley-Hein plaque index (QHI), reductions in halitosis, and changes in oral microbiota. All outcomes were assessed at baseline and 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Results: A total of 150 participants completed the study. Over 6 months, the SHS increased in the MT group (mean 3.16, SD 4.86 to mean 5.66, SD 5.20) but significantly decreased in the ITT group (mean 3.47, SD 5.50 to mean 2.27, SD 3.82; P=.004). Similarly, QHI decreased more in the ITT group (mean 1.79, SD 0.72 to mean 0.85, SD 0.63) than in the ORT (P<.001) and MT (P<.001) groups. Regarding microbiota, there were no significant differences in high-risk periodontal microbiota or the ratio of caries-risk to anticaries microbiota between the ITT and ORT groups. However, in the MT group, the ratio of caries-risk microbiota was significantly higher at the 3-month (P<.001) and 6-month (P=.005) recalls than at baseline and at the 3-month (P=.048) and 6-month (P=.03) recalls than at the 1-month recall. Poststudy questionnaires indicated that 45 of 50 ITT participants (92\%) and 37 of 50 ORT participants (76\%) reported improved brushing ability. The most effective feature in the ITT group was brushing training, while participants in the ORT group cited the brushing guide as most useful (P<.001). Satisfaction scores were higher in the ORT group (mean 7.90, SD 1.21) than in the ITT group (mean 7.15, SD 1.66; P=.004). The number of brushing events decreased significantly in the ORT group (P=.02), while brushing duration increased in the MT group (P=.01). Conclusions: ITTs enable better oral hygiene management than MTs through dental professional feedback. However, further studies are needed to optimize feedback intervals and improve long-term adherence. Trial Registration: Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS), Republic of Korea, KCT0009094; https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/detailSearch.do?seq=26110\&search\_page=L ", doi="10.2196/65128", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e65128" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/62776, author="Klasen, Linda and Koch, Julia Stefanie Anna and Benz, Elena Maike and Conrad, Johanna and Alexy, Ute and Blaszkiewicz, Konrad and Andone, Ionut and N{\"o}thlings, Ute", title="NutriDiary, a Smartphone-Based Dietary Record App: Description and Usability Evaluation", journal="JMIR Hum Factors", year="2025", month="Feb", day="10", volume="12", pages="e62776", keywords="dietary assessment", keywords="food record", keywords="barcode scanning", keywords="app", keywords="mobile phone", abstract="Background: Repeated applications of short-term dietary assessment instruments are recommended for estimating usual dietary intake. For this purpose, NutriDiary, a smartphone app for collecting weighed dietary records (WDRs) in the German population, was developed. Objective: We aim to describe NutriDiary and evaluate its usability and acceptability. Methods: NutriDiary was developed as a WDR, allowing users to enter food items via text search, barcode scanning, or free text entry. The sample for the evaluation study included 74 participants (n=51, 69\% female, aged 18?64 years), including 27 (37.5\%) experts and 47 (63.5\%) laypersons (including n=22, 30\%, nutrition students). Participants completed a 1-day WDR and entered a predefined sample meal (n=17 foods) the following day by using NutriDiary. An evaluation questionnaire was answered from which the system usability scale (SUS) score (0?100) was calculated. A backward selection procedure (PROC REG in SAS; SAS Institute) was used to identify potential predictors for the SUS score (age, sex, status [expert or laypersons], and operating system [iOS or Android]). Results: The median SUS score of 75 (IQR 63?88) indicated good usability. Age was the only characteristic identified as a potential predictor for a lower SUS score (P<.001). The median completion time for an individual WDR was 35 (IQR 19?52) minutes. Older participants took longer to enter the data than younger ones (18?30 y: median 1.5, IQR 1.1?2.0 min/item vs 45?64 y: median 1.8, IQR 1.3?2.3 min/item). Most participants expressed a preference for NutriDiary over the traditional paper-based method. Conclusions: Good usability and acceptability make NutriDiary promising for use in epidemiological studies. ", doi="10.2196/62776", url="https://humanfactors.jmir.org/2025/1/e62776" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/64747, author="Kennedy, Fiona and Smith, Susan and Beeken, J. Rebecca and Buck, Caroline and Williams, Sarah and Martin, Charlene and Lally, Phillippa and Fisher, Abi", title="An App-Based Intervention With Behavioral Support to Promote Brisk Walking in People Diagnosed With Breast, Prostate, or Colorectal Cancer (APPROACH): Process Evaluation Study", journal="JMIR Cancer", year="2025", month="Feb", day="10", volume="11", pages="e64747", keywords="cancer", keywords="physical activity", keywords="process evaluation", keywords="randomized controlled trial", keywords="intervention", keywords="app", keywords="habit", abstract="Background: The APPROACH pilot study explored the feasibility and acceptability of an app (NHS Active 10) with brief, habit-based, behavioral support calls and print materials intended to increase brisk walking in people diagnosed with cancer. Objective: Following UK Medical Research Council guidelines, this study assessed the implementation of the intervention, examined the mechanisms of impact, and identified contextual factors influencing engagement. Methods: Adults (aged ?18 y) with breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer who reported not meeting the UK guidelines for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (?150 min/wk) were recruited from a single hospital site in Yorkshire, United Kingdom. They were randomly assigned to the intervention or control (usual care) arm and assessed via quantitative surveys at baseline (time point 0 [T0]) and 3-month follow-up (time point 1 [T1]) and qualitative exit interviews (36/44, 82\%) at T1. The process evaluation included intervention participants only (n=44). Implementation was assessed using data from the T1 questionnaire exploring the use of the intervention components. The perceived usefulness of the app, leaflet, and behavioral support call was rated from 0 to 5. Behavioral support calls were recorded, and the fidelity of delivery of 25 planned behavior change techniques was rated from 0 to 5 using an adapted Dreyfus scale. Mechanisms of impact were identified by examining T0 and T1 scores on the Self-Reported Behavioural Automaticity Index and feedback on the leaflet, app, call, and planner in the T1 questionnaire and qualitative interviews. Contextual factors influencing engagement were identified through qualitative interviews. Results: The implementation of the intervention was successful: 98\% (43/44) of the participants received a behavioral support call, 78\% (32/41) reported reading the leaflet, 95\% (39/41) reported downloading the app, and 83\% (34/41) reported using the planners. The mean perceived usefulness of the app was 4.3 (SD 0.8) in participants still using the app at T1 (n=33). Participants rated the leaflet (mean 3.9, SD 0.6) and the behavioral support call (mean 4.1, SD 1) as useful. The intended behavior change techniques in the behavioral support calls were proficiently delivered (overall mean 4.2, SD 1.2). Mechanisms of impact included habit formation, behavioral monitoring, and support and reassurance from the intervention facilitator. Contextual factors impacting engagement included barriers, such as the impact of cancer and its treatment, and facilitators, such as social support. Conclusions: The APPROACH intervention was successfully implemented and shows promise for increasing brisk walking, potentially through promoting habit formation and enabling self-monitoring. Contextual factors will be important to consider when interpreting outcomes in the larger APPROACH randomized controlled trial. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): RR2-10.1186/s40814-022-01028-w ", doi="10.2196/64747", url="https://cancer.jmir.org/2025/1/e64747" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/58434, author="Kearns, Amanda and Moorhead, Anne and Mulvenna, Maurice and Bond, Raymond", title="Assessing the Uses, Benefits, and Limitations of Digital Technologies Used by Health Professionals in Supporting Obesity and Mental Health Communication: Scoping Review", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Feb", day="10", volume="27", pages="e58434", keywords="digital communication", keywords="digital technology", keywords="digital transformation", keywords="health professional", keywords="mental health", keywords="obesity", keywords="complex needs", keywords="artificial intelligence", keywords="AI", keywords="PRISMA", abstract="Background: Obesity and mental health issues present interconnected public health challenges that impair physical, social, and mental well-being. Digital technologies offer potential for enhancing health care communication between health professionals (HPs) and individuals living with obesity and mental health issues, but their effectiveness is not fully understood. Objective: This scoping review aims to identify and understand the different types of technologies used by HPs in supporting obesity and mental health communication. Methods: A comprehensive scoping review, which followed a validated methodology, analyzed studies published between 2013 and 2023 across 8 databases. The data extraction focused on HPs' use of communication technologies, intervention types, biopsychosocial considerations, and perceptions of technology use. The review was guided by the following research question: ``What are the uses, benefits, and limitations of digital technologies in supporting communication between HPs and persons living with obesity and mental health issues?'' Results: In total, 8 studies---featuring web-based platforms, social media, synchronous video calls, telephone calls, automated SMS text messaging, and email---met the inclusion criteria. Technologies such as virtual learning collaborative dashboards and videoconferencing, supported by automated SMS text messaging and social media (Facebook and WhatsApp groups), were commonly used. Psychologists, dietitians, social workers, and health coaches used digital tools to facilitate virtual appointments, diet and mental health monitoring, and motivational and educational support through group therapy, 1-on-1 sessions, and hybrid models. Benefits included enhanced access to care and engagement, personalized digital cognitive behavioral therapy, perceived stigma reduction, privacy, and improved physical health outcomes in weight reduction. However, improvements in mental health outcomes were not statistically significant in studies reporting P values (P?.05). The limitations included engagement difficulties due to conflicting personal family and work commitments; variable communication mode preferences, with some preferring in-person sessions; and misinterpretations of SMS text messaging prompts. Conflicts arose from cultural and individual differences, weight stigma, and confusion over HP roles in obesity and mental health care. Conclusions: Digital technologies have diversified the approaches HPs can take in delivering education, counseling, and motivation to individuals with obesity and mental health issues, facilitating private, stigma-reduced environments for personalized care. While the interventions were effective in obesity management, the review revealed a shortfall in addressing mental health needs. This highlights an urgent need for digital tools to serve as media for a deeper engagement with individuals' complex biopsychosocial needs. The integration of data science and technological advancements offers promising avenues for tailored digital solutions. The findings advocate the importance of continued innovation and adaptation in digital health care communication strategies, with clearer HP roles and an interdisciplinary, empathetic approach focused on individual needs. ", doi="10.2196/58434", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e58434" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/60559, author="Soleymani, Dagmar and Pougheon-Bertrand, Dominique and Gagnayre, R{\'e}mi", title="A Digital Behavior Change Intervention for Health Promotion for Adults in Midlife: Protocol for a Multidimensional Assessment Study", journal="JMIR Res Protoc", year="2025", month="Feb", day="7", volume="14", pages="e60559", keywords="digital behavior change intervention", keywords="assessment protocol", keywords="middle-aged adults", keywords="health promotion", keywords="user account", keywords="mixed assessments", keywords="health information technologies", abstract="Background: To support lifelong health promotion and disease prevention, Sant{\'e} publique France studied the methodology for building a social marketing scheme with a digital intervention targeting middle-aged adults, specifically socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. The digital intervention aims to encourage people aged 40-55 years to look after their health in the short and medium terms by adopting small actions relating to 8 health determinants: nutrition, physical activity, smoking, alcohol, stress, cognitive health, sleep, and environmental health. In the long term, the intervention intends to prevent frailty and reduce the burden of multimorbidities in older age, particularly for lower socioeconomic groups. Objective: This study aims to measure behavior changes among registered users of the future website. The protocol assesses the impact of the website based on users' implementation of small actions relating to the 8 health determinants. Specifically, it intends to evaluate the website's performance in terms of engaging a specific population, triggering behavior change, raising awareness about a multifactorial approach to health, and encouraging user interaction with the website's resources. Methods: The methodology is based on clinical assessments developed alongside the website according to the functionalities offered to registered users in their personalized space. The assessment tool design draws on logic models for digital interventions, and their consistency for digital applications is verified. The target audience is clearly defined from the outset. The protocol sets out a 3-step assessment: upon registration, after 3 weeks of use, and after 10 weeks of use (end of assessment). Users are divided into 2 groups (socioeconomically disadvantaged users and others) to characterize differences and make corrections. The protocol uses a mixed assessment approach based on website traffic and user login data. Specific and identifiable behavior changes are documented by monitoring the same individuals from T0 to T2, using verbatim comments to classify them into profiles and conducting semistructured individual interviews with a sample of users. Results: The protocol creates a multidimensional assessment of digital intervention, showing that during a given timeline, interactions with users can reveal their capabilities, opportunities, and motivations to adopt healthy lifestyles. The protocol's principles were integrated into the development of a personal account to assess users' behavior changes. Given the delayed launch of the website, no recruitment or effects analysis of the protocol took place. Conclusions: As no multidimensional assessment protocol is currently available for digital behavior change interventions, our methods reveal that the different framework stages can strengthen the effect measurement, consolidate the choice of assumptions used within the logic model and steer the digital intervention toward action while reducing the burden of information. The suitability of the assessment protocol remains to be evaluated given the delayed launch of the website. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/60559 ", doi="10.2196/60559", url="https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e60559" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/64739, author="Oono, Fumi and Matsumoto, Mai and Ogata, Risa and Suga, Mizuki and Murakami, Kentaro", title="Description of Weight-Related Content and Recommended Dietary Behaviors for Weight Loss Frequently Reposted on X (Twitter) in English and Japanese: Content Analysis", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Feb", day="7", volume="27", pages="e64739", keywords="social networking service", keywords="X, Twitter", keywords="web-based health information", keywords="dieting", keywords="weight loss", keywords="content analysis", keywords="digital health", keywords="weight control", keywords="weight", keywords="social media", keywords="diet", keywords="dietary behavior", keywords="obesity", keywords="eating disorders", keywords="public perceptions", abstract="Background: Both obesity and underweight are matters of global concern. Weight-related content frequently shared on social media can reflect public recognition and affect users' behaviors and perceptions. Although X (Twitter) is a popular social media platform, few studies have revealed the content of weight-related posts or details of dietary behaviors for weight loss shared on X. Objective: This study aims to describe body weight--related content frequently reposted on X, with a particular focus on dietary behaviors for weight loss, in English and Japanese. Methods: We collected English and Japanese X posts related to human body weight having over 100 reposts in July 2023 using an application programming interface tool. Two independent researchers categorized the contents of the posts into 7 main categories and then summarized recommended weight loss strategies. Results: We analyzed 815 English and 1213 Japanese posts. The most popular main category of the content was ``how to change weight'' in both languages. The Japanese posts were more likely to mention ``how to change weight'' (n=571, 47.1\%) and ``recipes to change weight'' (n=114, 9.4\%) than the English posts (n=195, 23.9\% and n=10, 1.2\%, respectively), whereas the English posts were more likely to mention ``will or experience to change weight'' (n=167, 20.5\%), ``attitudes toward weight status'' (n=78, 9.6\%), and ``public health situation'' (n=44, 5.4\%) than Japanese posts. Among 146 English and 541 Japanese posts about weight loss strategies, the predominant strategies were diet (n=76, 52.1\% in English and n=170, 31.4\% in Japanese) and physical activities (n=56, 38.4\% and n=295, 54.5\%, respectively). The proportion of posts mentioning both diet and physical activity was smaller in Japanese (n=62, 11.5\%) than in English (n=31, 21.2\%). Among 76 English and 170 Japanese posts about dietary behaviors for weight loss, more than 60\% of posts recommended increasing intakes of specific nutrients or food groups in both languages. The most popular dietary component recommended to increase was vegetables in both English (n=31, 40.8\%) and Japanese (n=48, 28.2\%), followed by protein and fruits in English and grains or potatoes and legumes in Japanese. Japanese posts were less likely to mention reducing energy intake; meal timing or eating frequency; or reducing intakes of specific nutrients or food groups than the English posts. The most popular dietary component recommended to decrease was alcohol in English and confectioneries in Japanese. Conclusions: This study characterized user interest in weight management and suggested the potential of X as an information source for weight management. Although weight loss strategies related to diet and physical activity were popular in both English and Japanese, some differences in the details of the strategies were present, indicating that X users are exposed to different information in English and Japanese. ", doi="10.2196/64739", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e64739", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39918849" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/53566, author="Cheney, K. Marshall and Alexander, C. Adam and Garey, Lorra and Gallagher, W. Matthew and H{\'e}bert, T. Emily and Vujanovic, A. Anka and Kezbers, M. Krista and Matoska, T. Cameron and Zvolensky, J. Michael and Businelle, S. Michael", title="Adapting a Mobile Health App for Smoking Cessation in Black Adults With Anxiety Through an Analysis of the Mobile Anxiety Sensitivity Program Proof-of-Concept Trial: Qualitative Study", journal="JMIR Form Res", year="2025", month="Feb", day="7", volume="9", pages="e53566", keywords="cultural tailoring", keywords="tailoring", keywords="African American", keywords="black", keywords="smoking cessation", keywords="mHealth", keywords="smartphone application", keywords="just in time adaptive intervention", keywords="qualitative", keywords="formative evaluation", keywords="app", keywords="application", keywords="anxiety", keywords="adult", keywords="qualitative analysis", keywords="smoking", keywords="mobile phone", keywords="tobacco", abstract="Background: At least half of smokers make a serious quit attempt each year, but Black adults who smoke are less likely than White adults who smoke to quit smoking successfully. Black adults who smoke and have high anxiety sensitivity (an individual difference factor implicated in smoking relapse and culturally relevant to Black adults) are even less successful. The Mobile Anxiety Sensitivity Program for Smoking (MASP) is a smoking cessation smartphone app culturally tailored to Black adults who smoke to increase smoking cessation rates by targeting anxiety sensitivity. Objective: This study examined the acceptability and feasibility of the MASP smartphone app following a 6-week pilot test through postintervention qualitative interviews. Methods: The MASP smoking cessation app was adapted from an evidence-based app by adding culturally tailored narration and images specific to the Black community, educational content on tobacco use in the Black community and the role of menthol, culturally tailored messages, and addressing tobacco use and racial discrimination. The MASP app was piloted with 24 adults with high anxiety sensitivity who identified as Black, smoked daily, and were not currently using medications or psychotherapy for smoking cessation. At the end of the 6-week pilot test, 21/24 participants (67\% female; 95.2\% non-Hispanic; mean age=47.3 years; 43\% college educated; 86\% single or separated) completed an audio-recorded semistructured interview assessing the acceptability and utility of the app, individual experiences, barriers to use, the cultural fit for Black adults who wanted to quit smoking, and identified areas for improvement. Transcribed interviews were coded using NVivo (Lumivero), and then analyzed for themes using an inductive, use-focused process. Results: Most participants (17/21, 81\%) had smoked for more than 20 years and 29\% (6/21) of them smoked more than 20 cigarettes daily. Participants felt the MASP app was helpful in quitting smoking (20/21, 95\%) and made them more aware of smoking thoughts, feelings, and behaviors (16/19, 84\%). Half of the participants (11/21, 52\%) thought the combination of medication and smartphone app gave them the best chance of quitting smoking. Themes related to participant experiences using the app included establishing trust and credibility through the recruitment experience, providing personally tailored content linked to evidence-based stress reduction techniques, and self-reflection through daily surveys. The culturally tailored material increased app relevance, engagement, and acceptability. Suggested improvements included opportunities to engage with other participants, more control over app functions, and additional self-monitoring functions. Conclusions: Adding culturally tailored material to an evidence-based mobile health (mHealth) intervention could increase the use of smoking cessation interventions among Black adults who want to quit smoking. Qualitative interviews provide mHealth app developers important insights into how apps can be improved before full study implementation and emphasize the importance of getting feedback from the target population throughout the development process of mHealth interventions. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04838236; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04838236 ", doi="10.2196/53566", url="https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e53566", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39918847" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/55541, author="Studer, Joseph and Cunningham, A. John and Schmutz, Elodie and Gaume, Jacques and Adam, Ang{\'e}line and Daeppen, Jean-Bernard and Bertholet, Nicolas", title="Smartphone-Based Intervention Targeting Norms and Risk Perception Among University Students with Unhealthy Alcohol Use: Secondary Mediation Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Feb", day="6", volume="27", pages="e55541", keywords="brief intervention", keywords="alcohol use", keywords="mechanism of action", keywords="mediation analysis", keywords="personalized feedback", keywords="smartphone app", keywords="students", keywords="Switzerland", keywords="mobile phone", keywords="mediation", keywords="feedback", keywords="student", keywords="health risk", keywords="drinking", keywords="drinker", keywords="support", keywords="feedback intervention", abstract="Background: Many digital interventions for unhealthy alcohol use are based on personalized normative feedback (PNF) and personalized feedback on risks for health (PFR). The hypothesis is that PNF and PFR affect drinkers' perceptions of drinking norms and risks, resulting in changes in drinking behaviors. This study is a follow-up mediation analysis of the primary and secondary outcomes of a randomized controlled trial testing the effect of a smartphone-based intervention to reduce alcohol use. Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether perceptions of drinking norms and risks mediated the effects of a smartphone-based intervention to reduce alcohol use. Methods: A total of 1770 students from 4 higher education institutions in Switzerland (mean age 22.35, SD 3.07 years) who screened positive for unhealthy alcohol use were randomized to receive access to a smartphone app or to the no-intervention control condition. The smartphone app provided PNF and PFR. Outcomes were drinking volume (DV) in standard drinks per week and the number of heavy drinking days (HDDs) assessed at baseline and 6 months. Mediators were perceived drinking norms and perceived risks for health measured at baseline and 3 months. Parallel mediation analyses and moderated mediation analyses were conducted to test whether (1) the intervention effect was indirectly related to lower DV and HDDs at 6 months (adjusting for baseline values) through perceived drinking norms and perceived risks for health at 3 months (adjusting for baseline values) and (2) the indirect effects through perceived drinking norms differed between participants who overestimated or who did not overestimate other people's drinking at baseline. Results: The intervention's total effects were significant (DV: b=--0.85, 95\% bootstrap CI --1.49 to --0.25; HDD: b=--0.44, 95\% bootstrap CI --0.72 to --0.16), indicating less drinking at 6 months in the intervention group than in the control group. The direct effects (ie, controlling for mediators) were significant though smaller (DV: b=--0.73, 95\% bootstrap CI --1.33 to --0.16; HDD: b=--0.39, 95\% bootstrap CI --0.66 to --0.12). For DV, the indirect effect was significant through perceived drinking norms (b=--0.12, 95\% bootstrap CI --0.25 to --0.03). The indirect effects through perceived risk (for DV and HDD) and perceived drinking norms (for HDD) were not significant. Results of moderated mediation analyses showed that the indirect effects through perceived drinking norms were significant among participants overestimating other people's drinking (DV: b=--0.17, 95\% bootstrap CI --0.32 to --0.05; HDD: b=--0.08, 95\% bootstrap CI --0.15 to --0.01) but not significant among those not overestimating. Conclusions: Perceived drinking norms, but not perceived risks, partially mediated the intervention's effect on alcohol use, confirming one of its hypothesized mechanisms of action. These findings lend support to using normative feedback interventions to discourage unhealthy alcohol use. Trial Registration: ISRCTN Registry 10007691; https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10007691 ", doi="10.2196/55541", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e55541" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/50662, author="Ng, Shin Krystal Lu and Munisamy, Murallitharan and Lim, Yin Joanne Bee and Alshagga, Mustafa", title="The Effect of Nutritional Mobile Apps on Populations With Cancer: Systematic Review", journal="JMIR Cancer", year="2025", month="Feb", day="5", volume="11", pages="e50662", keywords="cancer", keywords="mobile app", keywords="nutrition", keywords="body composition", keywords="quality of life", keywords="mobile health", keywords="mHealth", keywords="diet", keywords="intervention", keywords="mobile phone", keywords="PRISMA", abstract="Background: Limited access to nutrition support among populations with cancer is a major barrier to sustainable and quality cancer care. Increasing use of mobile health in health care has raised concerns about its validity and health impacts. Objective: This systematic review aimed to determine the effectiveness of commercial or cancer-specific nutritional mobile apps among people living with cancer. Methods: A systematic search of the CENTRAL, Embase, PubMed (MEDLINE), and Scopus databases was carried out in May 2024. All types of intervention studies were included, except observational studies, gray literature, and reference lists of key systematic reviews. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they involved (1) patients with or survivors of cancer and (2) nutrition-related mobile apps. Studies were excluded if the nutrition intervention was not delivered via mobile app or the app intervention was accompanied by dietary counseling. The review process was conducted based on the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The Risk of Bias 2 and Risk of Bias in Nonrandomized Studies tools were used to assess the study quality. The Cochrane Review Manager (version 5.4) software was used to synthesize the results of the bias assessment. Results: A total of 13 interventions were included, comprising 783 adults or teenagers with cancer. Most studies focused on breast cancer (6/13, 46\%), overweight (6/13, 46\%), and survivors (9/13, 69\%). Data on anthropometry and body composition (7/13, 54\%; 387 participants), nutritional status (3/13, 23\%; 249 participants), dietary intake (7/13, 54\%; 352 participants), and quality of life (6/13, 46\%; 384 participants) were gathered. Experimental groups were more likely to report significant improvements in body weight or composition, dietary compliance, nutritional status, and quality of life than control groups. Conclusions: Although mobile app platforms are used to deliver nutrition interventions, the evidence for long-term efficacy, particularly in populations with cancer, remains elusive. More robust randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes, as well as more homogeneous population characteristics and outcome measures, are warranted. Trial Registration: PROSPERO CRD42023330575; https://tinyurl.com/55v56yaj ", doi="10.2196/50662", url="https://cancer.jmir.org/2025/1/e50662" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/63428, author="Biello, B. Katie and Mayer, H. Kenneth and Scott, Hyman and Valente, K. Pablo and Hill-Rorie, Jonathan and Buchbinder, Susan and Ackah-Toffey, Lucinda and Sullivan, S. Patrick and Hightow-Weidman, Lisa and Liu, Y. Albert", title="The Effects of MyChoices and LYNX Mobile Apps on HIV Testing and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Use by Young US Sexual Minority Men: Results From a National Randomized Controlled Trial", journal="JMIR Public Health Surveill", year="2025", month="Feb", day="5", volume="11", pages="e63428", keywords="HIV testing", keywords="adolescents", keywords="sexual minority men", keywords="mobile apps", keywords="pre-exposure prophylaxis", keywords="youths", keywords="randomized controlled trial", keywords="sexual minority", keywords="United States", keywords="efficacy", keywords="LYNX", keywords="MyChoices", keywords="sociodemographic", keywords="behavioral health", keywords="HIV prevention", keywords="HIV infection", keywords="HIV care", keywords="transmission", keywords="public health", keywords="mHealth", keywords="mobile phones", abstract="Background: Young sexual minority men have among the highest rates of HIV in the United States; yet, the use of evidence-based prevention strategies, including routine HIV testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), remains low. Mobile apps have enormous potential to increase HIV testing and PrEP use among young sexual minority men. Objective: This study aims to assess the efficacy of 2 theory- and community-informed mobile apps---LYNX (APT Mobility) and MyChoices (Keymind)---to improve HIV testing and PrEP initiation among young sexual minority men. Methods: Between October 2019 and May 2022, we implemented a 3-arm, parallel randomized controlled trial in 9 US cities to test the efficacy of the LYNX and MyChoices apps against standard of care (SOC) among young sexual minority men (aged 15-29 years) reporting anal sex with cisgender male or transgender female in the last 12 months. Randomization was 1:1:1 and was stratified by site and participant age; there was no masking. The co-primary outcomes were self-reported HIV testing and PrEP initiation over 6 months of follow-up. Results: A total of 381 young sexual minority men were randomized. The mean age was 22 (SD 3.2) years. Nearly one-fifth were Black, non-Hispanic (n=67, 18\%), Hispanic or Latino men (n=67, 18\%), and 60\% identified as gay (n=228). In total, 200 (53\%) participants resided in the Southern United States. At baseline, participants self-reported the following: 29\% (n=110) had never had an HIV test and 85\% (n=324) had never used PrEP. Sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics did not differ by study arm. Compared to SOC (n=72, 59\%), participants randomized to MyChoices (n=87, 74\%; P=.01) were more likely to have received at least 1 HIV test over 6 months of follow-up; those randomized to LYNX also had a higher proportion of testing (n=80, 70\%) but it did not reach the a priori threshold for statistical significance (P=.08). Participants in both MyChoices (n=23, 21\%) and LYNX (n=21, 20\%) arms had higher rates of starting PrEP compared to SOC (n=19, 16\%), yet these differences were not statistically significant (P=.52). Conclusions: In addition to facilitating earlier treatment among those who become aware of their HIV status, given the ubiquity of mobile apps and modest resources required to scale this intervention, a 25\% relative increase in HIV testing among young sexual minority men, as seen in this study, could meaningfully reduce HIV incidence in the United States. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03965221; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03965221 ", doi="10.2196/63428", url="https://publichealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e63428" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/57201, author="Amo, Victoria and Lieder, Falk", title="Evaluating the Effectiveness of InsightApp for Anxiety, Valued Action, and Psychological Resilience: Longitudinal Randomized Controlled Trial", journal="JMIR Ment Health", year="2025", month="Feb", day="4", volume="12", pages="e57201", keywords="ecological momentary intervention", keywords="serious game", keywords="mindfulness-based intervention", keywords="acceptance and commitment therapy", keywords="cognitive behavioral therapy", keywords="metacognition", keywords="stress", keywords="anxiety", keywords="mobile phone", abstract="Background: Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental disorders, and stress plays a significant role in their development. Ecological momentary interventions (EMIs) hold great potential to help people manage stress and anxiety by training emotion regulation and coping skills in real-life settings. InsightApp is a gamified EMI and research tool that incorporates elements from evidence-based therapeutic approaches. It is designed to strengthen people's metacognitive skills for coping with challenging real-life situations and embracing anxiety and other emotions. Objective: This randomized controlled trial aims to examine the effectiveness of InsightApp in (1) improving individuals' metacognitive strategies for coping with stress and anxiety and (2) promoting value-congruent action. It also evaluates how long these effects are retained. This experiment advances our understanding of the role of metacognition in emotional and behavioral reactivity to stress. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial with 228 participants (completion rate: n=197, 86.4\%; mean age 38, SD 11.50 years; age range 20-80 years; female: n=101, 52.6\%; and White: n=175, 91.1\%), who were randomly assigned to either the treatment or the active placebo control group. During the 1-week intervention phase, the treatment group engaged with InsightApp, while participants in the control group interacted with a placebo version of the app that delivered executive function training. We assessed the differences between the 2 groups in posttest and follow-up assessments of mental health and well-being while controlling for preexisting differences. Moreover, we used a multilevel model to analyze the longitudinal data, focusing on the within-participant causal effects of the intervention on emotional and behavioral reactivity to daily stressors. Specifically, we measured daily anxiety, struggle with anxiety, and value-congruent action. Results: The intervention delivered by InsightApp yielded mixed results. On one hand, we found no significant posttest scores on mental health and well-being measures directly after the intervention or 7 days later (all P>.22). In contrast, when confronted with real-life stress, the treatment group experienced a 15\% lower increase in anxiety (1-tailed t test, t197=--2.4; P=.009) and a 12\% lower increase in the struggle with anxiety (t197=--1.87; P=.031) than the control group. Furthermore, individuals in the treatment group demonstrated a 7\% higher tendency to align their actions with their values compared to the control group (t197=3.23; P=.002). After the intervention period, InsightApp's positive effects on the struggle with anxiety in reaction to stress were sustained, and increased to an 18\% lower reactivity to stress (t197=--2.84; P=.002). Conclusions: As our study yielded mixed results, further studies are needed to obtain an accurate and reliable understanding of the effectiveness of InsightApp. Overall, our findings tentatively suggest that guiding people to apply adaptive metacognitive strategies for coping with real-life stress daily with a gamified EMI is a promising approach that deserves further evaluation. Trial Registration: OSF Registries osf.io/k3b5d; https://osf.io/k3b5d ", doi="10.2196/57201", url="https://mental.jmir.org/2025/1/e57201" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/58026, author="Tacchino, Andrea and Ponzio, Michela and Confalonieri, Paolo and Leocani, Letizia and Inglese, Matilde and Centonze, Diego and Cocco, Eleonora and Gallo, Paolo and Paolicelli, Damiano and Rovaris, Marco and Sabattini, Loredana and Tedeschi, Gioacchino and Prosperini, Luca and Patti, Francesco and Sessa, Edoardo and Pedrazzoli, Elisabetta and Battaglia, Alberto Mario and Brichetto, Giampaolo", title="Effect of an Internet-Based Pilates Telerehabilitation Intervention in People With Multiple Sclerosis: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial", journal="JMIR Res Protoc", year="2025", month="Feb", day="3", volume="14", pages="e58026", keywords="exergame", keywords="MS-FIT", keywords="Pilates", keywords="Kinect", keywords="multiple sclerosis", keywords="exercise", keywords="physical activity", keywords="leisure time physical activity", keywords="Timed Up and Go", abstract="Background: Physical activity (PA) has been recommended in multiple sclerosis (MS) to maintain good physical fitness and mental health, reduce the severity of symptoms and risk of relapse, and improve quality of life. Pilates has been suggested as an ideal PA to manage physical, cognitive, and psychological symptoms of MS and a useful method to maintain and improve balance and gait. Objective: This paper presents the protocol for a study that aims to evaluate the efficacy on the physical domain (specifically balance and gait) of a home-based, self-managed PA intervention delivered through the MS-FIT exergame (HELAGLOBE Societ{\`a} a responsabilit{\`a} limitata). In addition, measures of cognitive performance, quality of life, and well-being will be considered. Methods: This is a 2-arm, multicenter, randomized controlled trial with 3 assessment points (baseline, 12 weeks postintervention, and 6 weeks follow-up). People with MS with mild disability, low risk of falling, preserved cognitive functions, and low anxiety and depression are potential eligible participants. The experimental group (MS-FIT) will self-administer the MS-FIT exergame at home in addition to their leisure-time physical activities. MS-FIT is an internet- and Pilates-based tool that uses the Microsoft Kinect Sensor V2. Participants in the control group will only have access to their leisure-time physical activities. Participants in the MS-FIT group will train at home with MS-FIT for 12 weeks and will be required to perform the exercises for a total of 30 minutes/day for at least 3 days/week. The primary outcome is the Timed Up and Go, a test designed to assess walking. We will also administer additional tests for motor function (visual analog scale 0-10, Timed 25-Foot Walk, Ambulation Index, 2-minute walk test, Twelve Item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale, Nine-Hole Peg Test), cognition (Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis), fatigue (Modified Fatigue Impact Scale), quality of life (Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54), well-being (Psychological Well-Being Scales), and PA (International Physical Activity Questionnaire and Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire). Acceptance and satisfaction with the intervention received (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire and an adapted version of the Tele-healthcare Satisfaction Questionnaire -- Wearable Technology) and subjective impressions of changes in performance (Patients' Global Impression of Change) will also be assessed. Results: Recruitment for the trial started on March 16, 2022, and the first participant was randomized the same day. Data analysis and results are expected to be published in 2025. Conclusions: Pilates has proven beneficial in several neurological diseases such as MS. With this study, we will provide evidence for the use in clinical practice of a digital tool for self-administered Pilates exercises at home as a complement to rehabilitation and for the continuity of care in MS. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04011579; https://tinyurl.com/2p9n4d2t International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/58026 ", doi="10.2196/58026", url="https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e58026" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/62738, author="Pupong, Kittiwara and Hunsrisakhun, Jaranya and Pithpornchaiyakul, Samerchit and Naorungroj, Supawadee", title="Development of Chatbot-Based Oral Health Care for Young Children and Evaluation of its Effectiveness, Usability, and Acceptability: Mixed Methods Study", journal="JMIR Pediatr Parent", year="2025", month="Feb", day="3", volume="8", pages="e62738", keywords="chatbot", keywords="conversational agents", keywords="tele-dentistry", keywords="oral health behavior", keywords="in-person toothbrushing", keywords="hands-on", keywords="children", keywords="covid-19", keywords="oral health education", keywords="development.", abstract="Background: Chatbots are increasingly accepted in public health for their ability to replicate human-like communication and provide scalable, 24/7 services. The high prevalence of dental caries in children underscores the need for early and effective intervention. Objective: This study aimed to develop the 30-Day FunDee chatbot and evaluate its effectiveness, usability, and acceptability in delivering oral health education to caregivers of children aged 6 to 36 months. Methods: The chatbot was created using the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot behavior change model, integrating behavioral change theories into content designed for 3?5 minutes of daily use over 30 days. A pre-post experimental study was conducted from December 2021 to February 2022 in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, and Maelan District, Pattani Province, Thailand. Fifty-eight caregivers completed a web-based structured questionnaire at baseline and 2 months post baseline to evaluate knowledge, protection motivation theory-based perceptions, and tooth-brushing practices. Usability was assessed via chatbot logfiles and a web-based questionnaire at 2 months post baseline. Acceptability was evaluated through three methods: (1) open-ended chatbot interactions on day 30, (2) a web-based structured questionnaire at 2 months post baseline, and (3) semistructured telephone interviews with 15 participants 2 weeks post intervention. Participants for interviews were stratified by adherence levels and randomly selected from Hatyai and Maelan districts. All self-reported variables were measured on a 5-point Likert scale (1=lowest, 5=highest). Results: The chatbot was successfully developed based on the 4 components of the AI chatbot behavior change model. Participants had a mean age of 34.5 (SD 8.6) years. The frequency of tooth brushing among caregivers significantly improved, increasing from 72.4\% at baseline to 93.1\% two months post baseline (P=.006). Protection motivation theory-based perceptions also showed significant improvement, with mean scores rising from 4.0 (SD 0.6) at baseline to 4.5 (SD 0.6) two months post baseline (P<.001). The chatbot received high ratings for satisfaction (4.7/5, SD 0.6) and usability (4.7/5, SD 0.5). Participants engaged with the chatbot for an average of 24.7 (SD 7.2) days out of 30. Caregivers praised the chatbot's content quality, empathetic communication, and multimedia design, but noted the intervention's lengthy duration and messaging system as limitations. Conclusions: The 30-Day FunDee chatbot effectively enhanced caregivers' perceptions of oral health care and improved tooth-brushing practices for children aged 6?36 months. High user satisfaction and engagement demonstrate its potential as an innovative tool for oral health education. These findings warrant further validation through large-scale, randomized controlled trials. Trial Registration: Thai Clinical Trials Registry Tctr20210927004; https://www.thaiclinicaltrials.org/show/Tctr20210927004 ", doi="10.2196/62738", url="https://pediatrics.jmir.org/2025/1/e62738" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/69311, author="Santiago-Torres, Margarita and Mull, E. Kristin and Sullivan, M. Brianna and Cupertino, Paula Ana and Salloum, G. Ramzi and Triplette, Matthew and Zvolensky, J. Michael and Bricker, B. Jonathan", title="Evaluating the Impact of Pharmacotherapy in Augmenting Quit Rates Among Hispanic Adults in an App-Delivered Smoking Cessation Intervention: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial", journal="JMIR Form Res", year="2025", month="Jan", day="31", volume="9", pages="e69311", keywords="acceptance and commitment therapy", keywords="Hispanic or Latino", keywords="iCanQuit", keywords="QuitGuide", keywords="smartphone apps", keywords="smoking cessation", keywords="mobile phone", abstract="Background: Hispanic adults receive less advice to quit smoking and use fewer evidence-based smoking cessation treatments compared to their non-Hispanic counterparts. Digital smoking cessation interventions, such as those delivered via smartphone apps, provide a feasible and within-reach treatment option for Hispanic adults who smoke and want to quit smoking. While the combination of pharmacotherapy and behavioral interventions are considered best practices for smoking cessation, its efficacy among Hispanic adults, especially alongside smartphone app--based interventions, is uncertain. Objective: This secondary analysis used data from a randomized controlled trial that compared the efficacy of 2 smoking cessation apps, iCanQuit (based on acceptance and commitment therapy) and QuitGuide (following US clinical practice guidelines), to explore the association between pharmacotherapy use and smoking cessation outcomes among the subsample of 173 Hispanic participants who reported on pharmacotherapy use. Given the randomized design, we first tested the potential interaction of pharmacotherapy use and intervention arm on 12-month cigarette smoking abstinence. We then examined whether the use of any pharmacotherapy (ie, nicotine replacement therapy [NRT], varenicline, or bupropion) and NRT alone augmented each app-based intervention efficacy. Methods: Participants reported using pharmacotherapy on their own during the 3-month follow-up and cigarette smoking abstinence at the 12-month follow-up via web-based surveys. These data were used (1) to test the interaction effect of using pharmacotherapy to aid smoking cessation and intervention arm (iCanQuit vs QuitGuide) on smoking cessation at 12 months and (2) to test whether the use of pharmacotherapy to aid smoking cessation augmented the efficacy of each intervention arm to help participants successfully quit smoking. Results: The subsample of Hispanic participants was recruited from 30 US states. They were on average 34.5 (SD 9.3) years of age, 50.9\% (88/173) were female, and 56.1\% (97/173) reported smoking at least 10 cigarettes daily. Approximately 22\% (38/173) of participants reported using pharmacotherapy to aid smoking cessation at the 3-month follow-up, including NRT, varenicline, or bupropion, with no difference between intervention arms. There was an interaction between pharmacotherapy use and intervention arm that marginally influenced 12-month quit rates at 12 months (P for interaction=.053). In the iCanQuit arm, 12-month missing-as-smoking quit rates were 43.8\% (7/16) for pharmacotherapy users versus 28.8\% (19/16) for nonusers (odds ratio 2.21, 95\% CI 0.66-7.48; P=.20). In the QuitGuide arm, quit rates were 9.1\% (2/22) for pharmacotherapy users versus 21.7\% (15/69) for nonusers (odds ratio 0.36, 95\% CI 0.07-1.72; P=.20). Results were similar for the use of NRT only. Conclusions: Combining pharmacotherapy to aid smoking cessation with a smartphone app--based behavioral intervention that teaches acceptance of cravings to smoke (iCanQuit) shows promise in improving quit rates among Hispanic adults. However, this combined approach was not effective with the US clinical guideline--based app (QuitGuide). Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02724462; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02724462 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): RR2-10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.4055 ", doi="10.2196/69311", url="https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e69311" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/53188, author="Bragg, A. Marie and Lutfeali, Samina and Gabler, Godoy Daniela and Quintana Licona, A. Diego and Harris, L. Jennifer", title="Latinx and White Adolescents' Preferences for Latinx-Targeted Celebrity and Noncelebrity Food Advertisements: Experimental Survey Study", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Jan", day="31", volume="27", pages="e53188", keywords="Latinx", keywords="Hispanic", keywords="adolescents", keywords="marketing", keywords="celebrities", keywords="Spanish", keywords="advertisements", keywords="products", keywords="brands", keywords="food", keywords="unhealthy", keywords="beverages", keywords="diet", keywords="nutrition", keywords="consumers", keywords="intention", keywords="purchasing", keywords="attitudes", keywords="perceptions", keywords="preferences", keywords="youth", abstract="Background: Exposure to food advertisements is a major driver of childhood obesity, and food companies disproportionately target Latinx youth with their least healthy products. This study assessed the effects of food and beverage advertisements featuring Latinx celebrities versus Latinx noncelebrities on Latinx and White adolescents. Objective: This web-based within-subjects study aims to assess the effects of food and beverage advertisements featuring Latinx celebrities versus Latinx noncelebrities on Latinx and White adolescents' preferences for the advertisements and featured products. Methods: Participants (N=903) were selected from a volunteer sample of adolescents, aged 13-17 years, who self-identified as Latinx or White, had daily internet access, and could read and write in English. They participated in a web-based Qualtrics study where each participant viewed 8 advertisements for novel foods and beverages, including 4 advertisements that featured Latinx celebrities and the same 4 advertisements that featured Latinx noncelebrities (matched on all other attributes), in addition to 2 neutral advertisements (featuring bland, nontargeted products and did not feature people). Primary outcomes were participants' ratings of 4 advertisements for food and beverage brands featuring a Latinx celebrity and the same 4 advertisements featuring a Latinx noncelebrity. Multilevel linear regression models compared the effects of celebrities and differences between Latinx and White participants on attitudes (advertisement likeability; positive affect; and brand perceptions) and behavioral intentions (consumption; social media engagement---``liking;'' following; commenting; tagging a friend). Results: Latinx (n=436; 48.3\%) and White (n=467; 51.7\%) participants rated advertisements featuring Latinx celebrities more positively than advertisements featuring noncelebrities on attitude measures except negative affect (Ps?.002), whereas only negative affect differed between Latinx and White participants. Two of the 5 behavioral intention measures differed by celebrity advertisement status (P=.02; P<.001). Additionally, the interaction between celebrity and participant ethnicity was significant for 4 behavioral intentions; Latinx, but not White, participants reported higher willingness to consume the product (P<.001), follow brands (P<.001), and tag friends (P<.001). While White and Latinx adolescents both reported higher likelihoods of ``liking'' advertisements on social media endorsed by Latinx celebrities versus noncelebrities, the effect was significantly larger among Latinx adolescents (P<.01). Conclusions: This study demonstrates the power of Latinx celebrities in appealing to both Latinx and White adolescents but may be particularly persuasive in shaping behavioral intentions among Latinx adolescents. These findings suggest an urgent need to reduce celebrity endorsements in ethnically targeted advertisements that promote unhealthy food products to communities disproportionately affected by obesity and diabetes. The food industry limits food advertising to children ages 12 years and younger, but industry self-regulatory efforts and policies should expand to include adolescents and address disproportionate marketing of unhealthy food to Latinx youth and celebrity endorsements of unhealthy products. ", doi="10.2196/53188", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e53188" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/69771, author="Alexander, Adam and Businelle, Michael and Cheney, Marshall and Cohn, Amy and McNeill, Lorna and Short, Kevin and Frank-Pearce, Summer and Bradley, David and Estrada, Kimberly and Flores, Iv{\'a}n and Fronheiser, Jack and Kendzor, Darla", title="An mHealth Intervention With Financial Incentives to Promote Smoking Cessation and Physical Activity Among Black Adults: Protocol for a Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial", journal="JMIR Res Protoc", year="2025", month="Jan", day="31", volume="14", pages="e69771", keywords="African American", keywords="Black", keywords="mobile health", keywords="mHealth", keywords="smartphone app", keywords="smoking cessation", keywords="physical activity, mobile phone", abstract="Background: Black adults in the United States experience disproportionately high rates of tobacco- and obesity-related diseases, driven in part by disparities in smoking cessation and physical activity. Smartphone-based interventions with financial incentives offer a scalable solution to address these health disparities. Objective: This study aims to assess the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a mobile health intervention that provides financial incentives for smoking cessation and physical activity among Black adults. Methods: A total of 60 Black adults who smoke (?5 cigarettes/d) and are insufficiently physically active (engaging in <150 min of weekly moderate-intensity physical activity) will be randomly assigned to either HealthyCells intervention (incentives for smoking abstinence only) or HealthyCells+ intervention (incentives for both smoking abstinence and daily step counts). Participants will use study-provided smartphones, smartwatches, and carbon monoxide monitors for 9 weeks (1 wk prequit date through 8 wk postquit date). Feasibility will be evaluated based on recruitment rates, retention, and engagement. The primary outcomes include carbon monoxide--verified, 7-day smoking abstinence at 8 weeks postquit date and changes in average daily step count. Feasibility benchmarks include a recruitment rate of ?5 participants per month, a retention rate of ?75\%, and a smoking abstinence rate of ?20\% at 8 weeks postquit date. Expected increases in physical activity include a net gain of 500 to 1500 steps per day compared to baseline. Results: Recruitment is expected to begin in February 2025 and conclude by September 2025, with data analysis completed by October 2025. Conclusions: This study will evaluate the feasibility of a culturally tailored mobile health intervention combining financial incentives for smoking cessation and physical activity promotion. Findings will inform the design of larger-scale trials to address health disparities through scalable, technology-based approaches. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05188287; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05188287 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/69771 ", doi="10.2196/69771", url="https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e69771", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39888657" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/58164, author="Lambert, Jeffrey and Loades, Maria and Marshall, Noah and Higson-Sweeney, Nina and Chan, Stella and Mahmud, Arif and Pile, Victoria and Maity, Ananya and Adam, Helena and Sung, Beatrice and Luximon, Melanie and MacLennan, Keren and Berry, Clio and Chadwick, Paul", title="Investigating the Efficacy of the Web-Based Common Elements Toolbox (COMET) Single-Session Interventions in Improving UK University Student Well-Being: Randomized Controlled Trial", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Jan", day="31", volume="27", pages="e58164", keywords="Common Elements Toolbox", keywords="mental well-being", keywords="online interventions", keywords="single-session interventions", keywords="university students", abstract="Background: Mental health problems in university students are associated with many negative outcomes, yet there is a gap between need and timely access to help. Single-session interventions (SSIs) are designed to be scalable and accessible, delivering core evidence-based intervention components within a one-off encounter. Objective: COMET (Common Elements Toolbox) is an online self-help SSI that includes behavioral activation, cognitive restructuring, gratitude, and self-compassion. COMET has previously been evaluated in India, Kenya, and the United States with promising results. This study tests the acceptability, appropriateness, perceived utility, and efficacy of COMET among UK university students during the peripandemic period. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of COMET compared with a control group, with 2- and 4-week follow-ups. Outcome variables were subjective well-being, depression severity, anxiety severity, positive affect, negative affect, and perceived stress. We also measured intervention satisfaction immediately after completion of COMET. All UK university students with access to the internet were eligible to participate and were informed of the study online. The data were analyzed using linear mixed models and reported in accordance with the CONSORT-EHEALTH (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials of Electronic and Mobile Health Applications and Online Telehealth) checklist. Results: Of the 831 people screened, 468 participants were randomized to a condition, 407 completed the postintervention survey, 147 returned the 2-week follow-up survey, 118 returned the 4-week follow-up survey, and 89 returned both. Of the 239 randomized, 212 completed COMET. Significant between-group differences in favor of the COMET intervention were observed at 2-week follow-ups for subjective well-being (Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale; mean difference [MD] 1.39, 95\% CI 0.19-2.61; P=.03), depression severity (9-item Patient Health Questionnaire; MD --1.31, 95\% CI --2.51 to --0.12; P=.03), and perceived stress (4-item Perceived Stress Scale; MD --1.33, 95\% CI --2.10 to --0.57; P<.001). Overall, participants were satisfied with COMET, with the majority endorsing the intervention and its modules as acceptable, appropriate, and exhibiting high utility. The self-compassion module was most often reported as the participants' favorite module and the behavioral activation module was their least favorite. Qualitative analysis revealed that participants found COMET generally accessible, but too long, and experienced immediate and long-term beneficial effects. Conclusions: This study demonstrated high engagement with the COMET intervention, along with preliminary short-term efficacy. Almost all participants completed the intervention, but study attrition was high. Participant feedback indicated a high level of overall satisfaction with the intervention, with perceived accessibility, immediate benefits, and potential long-term impact being notable findings. These findings support the potential value of COMET as a mental health intervention and highlight important areas for further improvement. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05718141; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05718141 ", doi="10.2196/58164", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e58164", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39888663" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/54216, author="Steyn, Sherrie and Slabbert, Meggan", title="Self-Guided Smartphone App (Vimbo) for the Reduction of Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety in South African Adults: Pilot Quantitative Single-Arm Study", journal="JMIR Form Res", year="2025", month="Jan", day="30", volume="9", pages="e54216", keywords="treatment gap", keywords="mental health", keywords="health", keywords="depression", keywords="anxiety", keywords="South Africa", keywords="CBT", keywords="cognitive behavioral therapy", keywords="app-based intervention", keywords="mobile health", keywords="mental health app", keywords="smartphone", keywords="mobile phone", abstract="Background: Barriers to mental health assessment and intervention have been well documented within South Africa, in both urban and rural settings. Internationally, evidence has emerged for the effectiveness of technology and, specifically, app-based mental health tools and interventions to help overcome some of these barriers. However, research on digital interventions specific to the South African context and mental health is limited. Objective: This pilot study investigated the feasibility of using an app (Vimbo) to treat symptoms of anxiety and depression in South African adults recruited from a community sample. The Vimbo app is a self-guided, cognitive behavioral therapy--based digital intervention for common mental health difficulties developed for the South African context. Methods: This pilot study used a naturalistic, single-arm design testing the Vimbo app over 12 weeks, from October 2020 to February 2021. Participants were recruited through the South African Depression and Anxiety Group and social media advertisements online. A 2-week retention period was used to allow for a minimum of 2 datasets. App usage and engagement metrics were extracted directly from the back end of the app. Based on the model, researchers expected many users to discontinue usage when their symptom levels entered a healthy range. Pre-post review of symptom levels was used to reflect on clinical recovery status at discontinuation after the retention period. Results: A total of 218 applicants met study eligibility criteria and were invited to download the Vimbo app. Of these, 52\% (114/218) of the participants registered with the app, who indicated multiple variances of depression and anxiety symptoms ranging in severity from mild to severe. Two participants users withdrew from the study. Moreover, 69\% (77/112) of users were retained, including 8 who had technical issues with their treatment. When comparing broad uptake across all interested participants, chi-square analysis indicated significantly reduced uptake in participants identifying as ``unemployed but seeking employment'' ($\chi$24=10.47; N=251; P=.03). When considering app usage for the entire cohort (n=69, excluding participants with technical issues), there was a mean of 72.87 (SD 71.425) total module pages read, a mean of 30\% (SD 29.473\%) of prescribed content completed, and a mean of 19.93 (SD 27.517) times engaging with tools and skills. Conclusions: Our findings support the case for continued exploration of app-based interventions for treating depression and anxiety in South Africa. Developing strategies to increase access and improve intervention uptake may prove essential to helping mobile health interventions make as significant an impact as possible. Future research should include a randomized controlled trial with a larger sample to further assess the efficacy of app-based interventions in treating mental health difficulties in South Africa. ", doi="10.2196/54216", url="https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e54216" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/54392, author="Dorhout, Gijsbertha Berber and Wezenbeek, Nick and de Groot, M. Lisette C. P. G. and Grootswagers, Pol", title="Web-Based Exercise and Nutrition Intervention to Improve Leg Muscle Strength and Physical Functioning in Older Adults: Pre-Post Pilot Study", journal="JMIR Form Res", year="2025", month="Jan", day="30", volume="9", pages="e54392", keywords="web-based lifestyle intervention", keywords="resistance exercise", keywords="protein intake", keywords="muscle strength", keywords="muscle mass", keywords="older adults", keywords="web-based exercise", keywords="nutrition", keywords="exercise", keywords="resistance training", keywords="sarcopenia", abstract="Background: The lifestyle intervention ProMuscle, which combines resistance exercise and an increased protein intake, was effective in improving muscle strength, muscle mass, and physical functioning in older adults. However, due to a growing shortage of health care professionals, the rapidly growing aging population cannot be personally guided in the future. Therefore, Uni2Move, a scalable web-based variant of ProMuscle, was designed to reach larger groups of older adults without putting additional burden on health care professionals. Objective: The current study investigated the effects of a web-based lifestyle intervention on muscle strength, protein intake, and physical functioning in healthy older adults. In addition, we conducted a qualitative study to gather key insights of the participants involved, as little is known about older adults' perceptions of web-based lifestyle interventions. Methods: A pre-post pilot study was conducted in the Netherlands. In the 24-week intervention, 19 healthy adults aged >55 years were included. They performed resistance training at home twice a week for 24 weeks via web-based workout videos. Videos (45?60 minutes) were recorded by the fitness trainer and mainly focused on training leg muscles. In addition, older adults were advised on increasing protein intake via two web-based consultations by a dietitian in the first 12 weeks and via an e-learning course in the second 12 weeks. Intervention adherence and acceptance was measured in week 25. The 1 repetition maximum knee extension strength, repeated chair rise test, and protein intake were measured at baseline, week 13, and week 25. Linear mixed models were used to test differences over time. Semistructured interviews were used to gather experiences of participants. Atlas.ti version 22 was used to analyze the interviews. Results: The mean age of participants (n=19) at baseline was 69 (SD 7) years. The 1 repetition maximum knee extension strength and repeated chair rise test improved significantly during the 24-week intervention with a mean difference of 7.0 kg (95\% CI 4.8-9.3; P<.001) and ?1.2 seconds (95\% CI ?1.7 to ?0.6; P<.001), respectively. Total protein intake per day did not change, whereas protein intake during breakfast had increased significantly after 13 weeks with a mean difference of 6.9 g (95\% CI 1.1-12.7; P=.01). Qualitative research revealed that advantages of the program included no need to travel and exercising in their own environment. Disadvantages were the lack of physical interaction and no corrections by the trainer. Conclusions: The results of the web-based exercise and nutrition intervention Uni2Move indicate potential improvements of muscle strength and physical functioning in healthy middle-aged and older adults. Providing such lifestyle interventions on the internet could reach an increased number of older adults, providing the opportunity to contribute to the health and independence of the rapidly growing aging population. ", doi="10.2196/54392", url="https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e54392" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/60708, author="de Vries, Jaap Herman and Delahaij, Roos and van Zwieten, Marianne and Verhoef, Helen and Kamphuis, Wim", title="The Effects of Self-Monitoring Using a Smartwatch and Smartphone App on Stress Awareness, Self-Efficacy, and Well-Being--Related Outcomes in Police Officers: Longitudinal Mixed Design Study", journal="JMIR Mhealth Uhealth", year="2025", month="Jan", day="28", volume="13", pages="e60708", keywords="wearable electronic devices", keywords="ecological momentary assessment", keywords="psychological stress", keywords="psychological well-being", keywords="awareness", keywords="self-efficacy", keywords="occupational medicine", keywords="emergency responders", keywords="well-being", keywords="psychological", keywords="efficacy", keywords="stress", keywords="wearables", keywords="wearable device", keywords="smartwatch", keywords="smartphone app", keywords="app", keywords="sensor", keywords="sensor technology", keywords="police officers", keywords="questionnaire", keywords="stress awareness", keywords="stress management", abstract="Background: Wearable sensor technologies, often referred to as ``wearables,'' have seen a rapid rise in consumer interest in recent years. Initially often seen as ``activity trackers,'' wearables have gradually expanded to also estimate sleep, stress, and physiological recovery. In occupational settings, there is a growing interest in applying this technology to promote health and well-being, especially in professions with highly demanding working conditions such as first responders. However, it is not clear to what extent self-monitoring with wearables can positively influence stress- and well-being--related outcomes in real-life conditions and how wearable-based interventions should be designed for high-risk professionals. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate (1) whether offering a 5-week wearable-based intervention improves stress- and well-being--related outcomes in police officers and (2) whether extending a basic ``off-the-shelf'' wearable-based intervention with ecological momentary assessment (EMA) questionnaires, weekly personalized feedback reports, and peer support groups improves its effectiveness. Methods: A total of 95 police officers from 5 offices participated in the study. The data of 79 participants were included for analysis. During the first 5 weeks, participants used no self-monitoring technology (control period). During the following 5 weeks (intervention period), 41 participants used a Garmin Forerunner 255 smartwatch with a custom-built app (comparable to that of the consumer-available wearable), whereas the other 38 participants used the same system, but complemented by daily EMA questionnaires, weekly personalized feedback reports, and access to peer support groups. At baseline (T0) and after the control (T1) and intervention (T2) periods, questionnaires were administered to measure 15 outcomes relating to stress awareness, stress management self-efficacy, and outcomes related to stress and general well-being. Linear mixed models that accounted for repeated measures within subjects, the control and intervention periods, and between-group differences were used to address both research questions. Results: The results of the first analysis showed that the intervention had a small (absolute Hedges g=0.25?0.46) but consistent effect on 8 of 15 of the stress- and well-being--related outcomes in comparison to the control group. The second analysis provided mixed results; the extended intervention was more effective than the basic intervention at improving recovery after work but less effective at improving self-efficacy in behavior change and sleep issues, and similarly effective in the remaining 12 outcomes. Conclusions: Offering a 5-week wearable-based intervention to police officers can positively contribute to optimizing their stress-related, self-efficacy, and well-being--related outcomes. Complementing the basic ``off-the-shelf'' wearable-based intervention with additional EMA questionnaires, weekly personalized feedback reports, and peer support groups did not appear to improve the effectiveness of the intervention. Future work is needed to investigate how different aspects of these interventions can be tailored to specific characteristics and needs of employees to optimize these effects. ", doi="10.2196/60708", url="https://mhealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e60708" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/62782, author="Nomeikaite, Auguste and Gelezelyte, Odeta and B{\"o}ttche, Maria and Andersson, Gerhard and Kazlauskas, Evaldas", title="Role of Tailored Timing and Frequency Prompts on the Efficacy of an Internet-Delivered Stress Recovery Intervention for Health Care Workers: Randomized Controlled Trial", journal="JMIR Ment Health", year="2025", month="Jan", day="28", volume="12", pages="e62782", keywords="internet interventions", keywords="mental health", keywords="stress", keywords="health care workers", keywords="short message service", keywords="cognitive behavioral therapy", keywords="internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy", keywords="psychotherapy", keywords="randomized", keywords="controlled trial", keywords="engagement", keywords="SMSl worker", keywords="usage", keywords="occupational health", keywords="provider", keywords="prompt", keywords="message", abstract="Background: Prompts offer a promising strategy to promote client engagement in internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT). However, if the prompts do not meet the needs of clients, they can potentially be more obtrusive rather than helpful. Objective: The aim of this study was to test if prompts tailored based on timing and frequency, aligned with preintervention goal setting, can increase usage and the efficacy of a therapist-supported ICBT stress recovery intervention for health care workers. Methods: The 2-arm randomized controlled trial included 87 health care workers (99\% female, aged 19-68 years: mean 39.61, SD 11.49): 43 in the standard intervention group and 44 in the tailored prompts group. The primary outcome measure was the Recovery Experiences Questionnaire, and the secondary outcomes were the Perceived Stress Scale-4, the Patient Health Questionnaire-4, and the World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index. The self-report data were collected before the intervention (September 2022), postintervention (October 2022), and 6-month follow-up (May 2023). Results: The results showed that tailored prompts, although appreciated by the majority (39/40, 98\%), did not improve intervention usage indicators, such as the number of logins (t85=--0.91; P=.36), modules opened (t83.57=--1.47; P=.15), modules completed (t85=--0.71; P=.48), exercises completed (t85=--1.05; P=.30), or the time spent using the program ($\chi$22=1.1; P=.57). Similarly, tailored prompts did not increase the effects of the intervention in terms of stress recovery skills (Cohen d ranging from 0.31 to 0.85), perceived stress (d=--0.08; --0.70), depression (d=--0.11; --0.38), anxiety (d=--0.32; --0.64), or psychological well-being (d=0.26; 0.46). In addition, the standard intervention group showed greater long-term stress recovery effects than the group using the internet-delivered intervention supplemented by tailored prompts ($\beta$=--0.24, P=.03). Conclusions: Although the study confirmed the efficacy of the program, the merits of tailored prompts in ICBT for stress recovery were not supported. Future research is needed to test the effects of the stress recovery intervention supplemented by goal setting and tailored prompts. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05553210; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05553210 ", doi="10.2196/62782", url="https://mental.jmir.org/2025/1/e62782" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/62944, author="Thompson, Lauren and Charitos, Sydney and Bird, Jon and Marshall, Paul and Brigden, Amberly", title="Exploring the Use of Smartwatches and Activity Trackers for Health-Related Purposes for Children Aged 5 to 11 years: Systematic Review", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Jan", day="27", volume="27", pages="e62944", keywords="children", keywords="systematic review", keywords="wearable activity trackers", keywords="smartwatches", keywords="feasibility", keywords="mobile phone", abstract="Background: ?Digital health interventions targeting behavior change are promising in adults and adolescents; however, less attention has been given to younger children. The proliferation of wearables, such as smartwatches and activity trackers, that support the collection of and reflection on personal health data highlights an opportunity to consider novel approaches to supporting health in young children (aged 5-11 y). Objective: ?This review aims to investigate how smartwatches and activity trackers have been used across child health interventions (for children aged 5-11 y) for different health areas, specifically to identify the population characteristics of those being?targeted, describe the characteristics of the devices being used, and report the feasibility and acceptability of these devices for health-related applications with children. Methods: We searched 10 databases (CINAHL, Embase, ACM Digital Library, IEEE Xplore, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and MEDLINE) to identify relevant literature in March 2023. The inclusion criteria for studies were as follows: (1) peer-reviewed, empirical studies; (2) published in English; (3) involved a child aged 5 to 11 years using a smartwatch for health-related purposes. Two researchers independently screened articles to assess eligibility. One researcher extracted data relating to the 3 aims and synthesized the results using narrative and thematic synthesis. Results: ?The database searches identified 3312 articles, of which 15 (0.45\%) were included in this review. Three (20\%) articles referred to the same intervention. In 77\% (10/13) of the studies, the devices were used to target improvements in physical activity. Other applications included using smartwatches to deliver interventions for emotional regulation and asthma management. In total, 9 commercial devices were identified, many of which delivered minimal data feedback on the smartwatch or activity tracker, instead relying on a partner app running on a linked parental smartphone with greater functionality. Of the 13 studies, 8 (62\%) used devices designed for adults rather than children. User feedback was positive overall, demonstrating the acceptability and feasibility of using these devices with children. However, the studies often lacked a child-focused approach, with 3 (23\%) studies gathering user feedback only from parents. Conclusions: ?Interventions involving smartwatches and activity trackers for children aged 5 to 11 years remain limited, primarily focusing on enhancing physical activity, with few studies investigating other health applications. These devices often provide limited data feedback and functionality to support children's independent engagement with the data, relying on paired smartphone apps managed by caregivers, who control access and facilitate children's interaction with the data. Future research should adopt child-centered methods in the design and evaluation of these technologies, integrating children's perspectives alongside their caregivers, to ensure that they are not only feasible and acceptable but also meaningful and effective for young children. Trial Registration: PROSPERO CRD42022373813, https://tinyurl.com/4kxu8zss ", doi="10.2196/62944", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e62944" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/64718, author="Levinson, J. Anthony and Ayers, Stephanie and Clark, Sandra and Woodburn, Rebekah and Dobbins, Maureen and Duarte, Dante and Grad, Roland and Kates, Nick and Marr, Sharon and Oliver, Doug and Papaioannou, Alexandra and Saperson, Karen and Siu, Henry and Strudwick, Gillian and Sztramko, Richard and Neil-Sztramko, Sarah", title="Internet-Based Dementia Prevention Intervention (DementiaRisk): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial and Knowledge Translation", journal="JMIR Res Protoc", year="2025", month="Jan", day="27", volume="14", pages="e64718", keywords="web-based intervention", keywords="internet", keywords="eHealth", keywords="dementia risk", keywords="dementia prevention", keywords="Alzheimer disease", keywords="education and training", keywords="clinical trial", keywords="knowledge translation", keywords="public health", keywords="health literacy", keywords="e-learning", abstract="Background: Research has shown that engaging in a range of healthy lifestyles or behavioral factors can help reduce the risk of developing dementia. Improved knowledge of modifiable risk factors for dementia may help engage people to reduce their risk, with beneficial impacts on individual and public health. Moreover, many guidelines emphasize the importance of providing education and web-based resources for dementia prevention. Internet-based interventions may be effective, but few have been studied rigorously or widely disseminated. We created DementiaRisk, an award-winning, web- and email-based education platform for the public focused on modifiable risk factors, featuring multimedia e-learning and email ``microlearning'' content, to help raise awareness and improve knowledge of actions to reduce dementia risk. Objective: This protocol describes a randomized controlled trial to (1) evaluate whether exposure to DementiaRisk changes knowledge of dementia risk factors, intention to engage in risk reduction activities, and health behaviors related to dementia risk reduction and to (2) explore qualitative aspects including participants' engagement and satisfaction with the intervention and barriers and facilitators to use. Methods: Using a sequential explanatory mixed methods design, this study conducts a quantitative analysis followed by a qualitative inquiry to evaluate outcomes and feasibility. In total, 485 participants will be recruited on the web and randomly assigned to 2 groups: one accessing DementiaRisk and the other receiving alternative e-learning on mild cognitive impairment. Assessments will be delivered on the web at baseline (T1), at 4 weeks (T2), and at 2 months after the intervention (T3). Knowledge will be assessed using items from the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale, intentions to engage in risk reduction activities will be assessed using items in line with current evidence, and health behaviors related to dementia risk reduction will be assessed using items from the Godin-Shephard Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire along with additional questions related to a range of health status domains. Outcomes and feasibility will be assessed using the Information Assessment Method for patients and consumers. A linear mixed effects model will be used to examine the relationship between each outcome score by group and time point. Results: This study was approved by the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board on August 24, 2022 (project ID 14886) and received funding in February 2023. Recruitment took place from March 28, 2023, to April 28, 2023, with the final participants completing the intervention by August 18, 2023. Analyses and interpretation of data are ongoing. Conclusions: DementiaRisk is a readily scalable, technology-enhanced solution for dementia prevention education. It has been designed using evidence-based principles of multimedia learning. It has the potential to scale and spread widely using the open internet, so it may be able to reach a wider audience than traditional in-person educational interventions. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05383118; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05383118 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/64718 ", doi="10.2196/64718", url="https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e64718" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/63564, author="Kamarudin, Sabrina Siti and Idris, Badilla Idayu and Sharip, Shalisah and Ahmad, Norfazilah", title="LoVE4MUM Mobile App to Prevent Postpartum Depression: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial", journal="JMIR Res Protoc", year="2025", month="Jan", day="27", volume="14", pages="e63564", keywords="postpartum depression", keywords="mHealth intervention", keywords="mobile phone", keywords="prevention", keywords="self-guided", keywords="virtual engagement", keywords="engagement", keywords="maternal", keywords="protocol", keywords="randomized controlled trial", keywords="postpartum", keywords="depression", keywords="well-being", keywords="mobile health", keywords="preventive care", keywords="mobile app", keywords="mental health literacy", keywords="postpartum care", abstract="Background: Postpartum depression remains a significant concern, posing substantial challenges to maternal well-being, infant health, and the mother-infant bond, particularly in the face of barriers to traditional support and interventions. Previous studies have shown that mobile health (mHealth) interventions offer an accessible means to facilitate early detection and management of mental health issues while at the same time promoting preventive care. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Leveraging on Virtual Engagement for Maternal Understanding \& Mood-enhancement (LoVE4MUM) mobile app, which was developed based on the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy and psychoeducation and serves as an intervention to prevent postpartum depression. Methods: This single-blinded, pilot randomized controlled trial includes 64 mothers recruited from the postnatal ward and randomized using a 1:1 ratio to receive either postpartum care (treatment as usual) or postpartum care (treatment as usual) plus the self-guided LoVE4MUM mobile app. The primary outcome is the effectiveness of the mobile app at improving postpartum depression. Secondary outcomes are changes in the mental health literacy score and negative automatic thoughts, which are collected using a self-reported questionnaire. Results: Patient recruitment began on September 1, 2024. As of January 1, 2025, recruitment was successfully completed, with a total of 72 participants enrolled: 36 in the intervention group and 36 in the control group . The final results are anticipated to be available by March 2025, and publication is expected by the end of 2025. Conclusions: By examining the LoVE4MUM app alongside standard postpartum care, this pilot randomized controlled trial seeks to offer preliminary evidence on the potential of mHealth tools to improve maternal mental health as well as to reduce postpartum depression symptoms. The findings are expected to contribute to the future development of effective, accessible, and scalable interventions for mothers. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06366035; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06366035 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/63564 ", doi="10.2196/63564", url="https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e63564" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/63348, author="Daniels, Kim and Vonck, Sharona and Robijns, Jolien and Quadflieg, Kirsten and Bergs, Jochen and Spooren, Annemie and Hansen, Dominique and Bonnech{\`e}re, Bruno", title="Exploring the Feasibility of a 5-Week mHealth Intervention to Enhance Physical Activity and an Active, Healthy Lifestyle in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Mixed Methods Study", journal="JMIR Aging", year="2025", month="Jan", day="27", volume="8", pages="e63348", keywords="mobile health", keywords="mHealth", keywords="feasibility", keywords="physical activity", keywords="older adults", keywords="health promotion", keywords="usability", keywords="mobile phone", abstract="Background: Advancements in mobile technology have paved the way for innovative interventions aimed at promoting physical activity (PA). Objective: The main objective of this feasibility study was to assess the feasibility, usability, and acceptability of the More In Action (MIA) app, designed to promote PA among older adults. MIA offers 7 features: personalized tips, PA literacy, guided peer workouts, a community calendar, a personal activity diary, a progression monitor, and a chatbot. Methods: Our study used a mixed methods approach to evaluate the MIA app's acceptability, feasibility, and usability. First, a think-aloud method was used to provide immediate feedback during initial app use. Participants then integrated the app into their daily activities for 5 weeks. Behavioral patterns such as user session duration, feature use frequency, and navigation paths were analyzed, focusing on engagement metrics and user interactions. User satisfaction was assessed using the System Usability Scale, Net Promoter Score, and Customer Satisfaction Score. Qualitative data from focus groups conducted after the 5-week intervention helped gather insights into user experiences. Participants were recruited using a combination of web-based and offline strategies, including social media outreach, newspaper advertisements, and presentations at older adult organizations and local community services. Our target group consisted of native Dutch-speaking older adults aged >65 years who were not affected by severe illnesses. Initial assessments and focus groups were conducted in person, whereas the intervention itself was web based. Results: The study involved 30 participants with an average age of 70.3 (SD 4.8) years, of whom 57\% (17/30) were female. The app received positive ratings, with a System Usability Scale score of 77.4 and a Customer Satisfaction Score of 86.6\%. Analysis showed general satisfaction with the app's workout videos, which were used in 585 sessions with a median duration of 14 (IQR 0-34) minutes per day. The Net Promoter Score was 33.34, indicating a good level of customer loyalty. Qualitative feedback highlighted the need for improvements in navigation, content relevance, and social engagement features, with suggestions for better calendar visibility, workout customization, and enhanced social features. Overall, the app demonstrated high usability and satisfaction, with near-daily engagement from participants. Conclusions: The MIA app shows significant potential for promoting PA among older adults, evidenced by its high usability and satisfaction scores. Participants engaged with the app nearly daily, particularly appreciating the workout videos and educational content. Future enhancements should focus on better calendar visibility, workout customization, and integrating social networking features to foster community and support. In addition, incorporating wearable device integration and predictive analytics could provide real-time health data, optimizing activity recommendations and health monitoring. These enhancements will ensure that the app remains user-friendly, relevant, and sustainable, promoting sustained PA and healthy behaviors among older adults. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05650515; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05650515 ", doi="10.2196/63348", url="https://aging.jmir.org/2025/1/e63348" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/69080, author="Nakagomi, Atsushi and Ide, Kazushige and Kondo, Katsunori and Shiba, Koichiro", title="Digital Gaming and Subsequent Health and Well-Being Among Older Adults: Longitudinal Outcome-Wide Analysis", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Jan", day="27", volume="27", pages="e69080", keywords="digital gaming", keywords="older adults", keywords="flourishing", keywords="well-being", keywords="physical activity", keywords="social engagement", keywords="mobile phone", abstract="Background: Digital gaming has become increasingly popular among older adults, potentially offering cognitive, social, and physical benefits. However, its broader impact on health and well-being, particularly in real-world settings, remains unclear. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the multidimensional effects of digital gaming on health and well-being among older adults, using data from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study conducted in Matsudo City, Chiba, Japan. Methods: Data were drawn from 3 survey waves (2020 prebaseline, 2021 baseline, and 2022 follow-up) of the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study, which targets functionally independent older adults. The exposure variable, digital gaming, was defined as regular video game play and was assessed in 2021. In total, 18 outcomes across 6 domains were evaluated in 2022; domain 1---happiness and life satisfaction, domain 2---physical and mental health, domain 3---meaning and purpose, domain 4---character and virtue, domain 5---close social relationships, and domain 6---health behavior. Furthermore, 10 items from the Human Flourishing Index were included in domains 1-5, with 2 items for each domain. Overall flourishing was defined as the average of the means across these 5 domains. In addition, 7 items related to domains 2, 5, and 6 were assessed. The final sample consisted of 2504 participants aged 65 years or older, with questionnaires containing the Human Flourishing Index randomly distributed to approximately half of the respondents (submodule: n=1243). Consequently, we used 2 datasets for analysis. We applied targeted maximum likelihood estimation to estimate the population average treatment effects, with Bonferroni correction used to adjust for multiple testing. Results: Digital gaming was not significantly associated with overall flourishing or with any of the 5 domains from the Human Flourishing Index. Although initial analyses indicated associations between digital gaming and participation in hobby groups (mean difference=0.12, P=.005) as well as meeting with friends (mean difference=0.076, P=.02), these associations did not remain significant after applying the Bonferroni correction for multiple testing. In addition, digital gaming was not associated with increased sedentary behavior or reduced outdoor activities. Conclusions: This study provides valuable insights into the impact of digital gaming on the health and well-being of older adults in a real-world context. Although digital gaming did not show a significant association with improvements in flourishing or in the individual items across the 5 domains, it was also not associated with increased sedentary behavior or reduced outdoor activities. These findings suggest that digital gaming can be part of a balanced lifestyle for older adults, offering opportunities for social engagement, particularly through hobby groups. Considering the solitary nature of gaming, promoting social gaming opportunities may be a promising approach to enhance the positive effects of digital gaming on well-being. ", doi="10.2196/69080", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e69080" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/66769, author="Couto, Leticia", title="The Development of an Instagram Reel-Based Bystander Intervention Message Among College Students: Formative Survey and Mixed Methods Pilot Study", journal="JMIR Form Res", year="2025", month="Jan", day="27", volume="9", pages="e66769", keywords="bystander intervention", keywords="message development", keywords="sexual health", keywords="college", keywords="student", keywords="sexual violence", keywords="bystander", keywords="reel-based", keywords="Instagram", keywords="social media", keywords="short message", keywords="formative research", keywords="mixed methods", keywords="social norms", keywords="perceived behavior", keywords="qualitative", keywords="behavioral health", keywords="digital health", abstract="Background: Bystander intervention is a common method to address the ubiquitous issue that is sexual violence across college campuses. Short messages that incentivize bystander intervention behavior can be another tool to fight sexual violence. Objective: This study aimed to conduct formative research surrounding social norms and bystander barriers to pilot and develop Instagram (Meta) reel-based messages addressing bystander intervention among college students. Methods: The first step was to conduct a formative survey to identify peer norms and actual behavior of the intended population. Once that data were collected, a mixed methods message pilot was conducted by a survey where participants randomly saw 5 of the 12 messages developed, assessing them for credibility, perceived message effect, and intended audience. Results: The formative survey was conducted among 195 college students from the same institution, and the pilot test was conducted among 107 college students. The formative survey indicated a discrepancy between perceived peer behavior and actual behavior of the participants in all 3 measures, allowing for the development of normative messaging. The pilot testing indicated the credibility was acceptable (eg, mean 3.94, SD 1.15 on a 5-point scale) as well as the perceived message effect (eg, mean 4.26, SD 0.94 on a 5-point scale). Intended audiences were also identified and reached. Qualitative results indicated that the messages may have lacked credibility, although the quantitative results suggest otherwise. Conclusions: Participants understood the messages concerned bystander intervention, and perceived message effects results indicated the messages to be effective in assisting bystander intervention engagement by normative messaging. Messages were considered credible and reached the intended audience. The qualitative results provided further insights on how the messages can be adapted before being tested for effects. Future research should focus on further adapting the messages and testing their effects among the studied population. ", doi="10.2196/66769", url="https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e66769" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/67213, author="Zuair, Areeg and Alhowaymel, M. Fahad and Jalloun, A. Rola and Alzahrani, S. Naif and Almasoud, H. Khalid and Alharbi, H. Majdi and Alnawwar, K. Rayan and Alluhaibi, N. Mohammed and Alharbi, S. Rawan and Aljohan, M. Fatima and Alhumaidi, N. Bandar and Alahmadi, A. Mohammad", title="Body Fat and Obesity Rates, Cardiovascular Fitness, and the Feasibility of a Low-Intensity Non--Weight-Centric Educational Intervention Among Late Adolescents: Quasi-Experimental Study", journal="JMIR Pediatr Parent", year="2025", month="Jan", day="24", volume="8", pages="e67213", keywords="adolescent obesity", keywords="macronutrient education", keywords="cardiovascular fitness", keywords="body composition", keywords="health literacy", keywords="body image", keywords="macronutrient", keywords="educational", keywords="obesity", keywords="weight", keywords="overweight", keywords="fitness", keywords="nutrition", keywords="diet", keywords="patient education", keywords="student", keywords="school", keywords="youth", keywords="adolescent", keywords="teenager", keywords="metabolic", keywords="eating", keywords="physical activity", keywords="exercise", abstract="Background: Obesity rates among Saudi adolescents are increasing, with regional variations highlighting the need for tailored interventions. School-based health programs in Saudi Arabia are limited and often emphasize weight and body size, potentially exacerbating body image dissatisfaction. There is limited knowledge on the feasibility of non--weight-centric educational programs in Saudi Arabia and their effects on health behaviors and body image. Objectives: This study aimed to (1) assess the prevalence of obesity using BMI-for-age z score (BAZ) and fat percentage among Saudi adolescents; (2) evaluate key health behaviors, cardiovascular fitness, and health literacy; and (3) assess the feasibility and impact of a low-intensity, non--weight-centric educational intervention designed to improve knowledge of macronutrients and metabolic diseases, while examining its safety on body image discrepancies. Methods: A quasi-experimental, pre-post trial with a parallel, nonequivalent control group design was conducted among 95 adolescents (58 boys and 37 girls; mean age 16.18, SD 0.53 years) from 2 public high schools in Medina City, Saudi Arabia. Participants were randomly assigned to either the weight-neutral Macronutrient + Non-Communicable Diseases Health Education group or the weight-neutral Macronutrient Health Education group. Anthropometry (BAZ and fat percentage), cardiovascular fitness, physical activity, and eating behaviors were measured at baseline. Independent t tests and $\chi${\texttwosuperior} tests were conducted to compare group differences, and a 2-way mixed ANOVA was used to evaluate the effect of the intervention on macronutrient knowledge and body image discrepancies. A total of 69 participants completed the postintervention assessments. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity based on BAZ was 37.9\% (36/95), while 50.5\% (48/95) of participants were classified as overfat or obese based on fat percentage. Students with normal weight status were significantly more likely to have had prior exposure to health education related to metabolic diseases than students with higher weight status (P=.02). The intervention significantly improved macronutrient-metabolic knowledge (F1,64=23.452; P<.001), with a large effect size (partial $\eta${\texttwosuperior}=0.268). There was no significant change in students' body image from pre- to postintervention (P=.70), supporting the safety of these weight-neutral programs. The intervention demonstrated strong feasibility, with a recruitment rate of 82.6\% and a retention rate of 72.6\%. Conclusions: This study reveals a high prevalence of obesity among Saudi adolescents, particularly when measured using fat percentage. The significant improvement in knowledge and the nonimpact on body image suggest that a non--weight-centric intervention can foster better health outcomes without exacerbating body image dissatisfaction. Region-specific strategies that prioritize metabolic health and macronutrient education over weight-centric messaging should be considered to address both obesity and body image concerns in adolescents. ", doi="10.2196/67213", url="https://pediatrics.jmir.org/2025/1/e67213" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/57255, author="Kumar, Devender and Haag, David and Blechert, Jens and Niebauer, Josef and Smeddinck, David Jan", title="Feature Selection for Physical Activity Prediction Using Ecological Momentary Assessments to Personalize Intervention Timing: Longitudinal Observational Study", journal="JMIR Mhealth Uhealth", year="2025", month="Jan", day="24", volume="13", pages="e57255", keywords="digital health", keywords="behavior change", keywords="tailoring", keywords="personalization", keywords="adaptive systems", keywords="ecological momentary assessments", keywords="sensing", keywords="questionnaires", keywords="machine learning", keywords="feature selection", keywords="situated research", keywords="physical activity", keywords="implementation intentions", keywords="barriers", keywords="intention-behavior gap", keywords="artificial intelligence", keywords="AI", keywords="well-being", keywords="user assessment", keywords="survey", keywords="self-efficacy", keywords="stress", keywords="mood", keywords="emotions", keywords="mobile phone", abstract="Background: There has been a surge in the development of apps that aim to improve health, physical activity (PA), and well-being through behavior change. These apps often focus on creating a long-term and sustainable impact on the user. Just-in-time adaptive interventions (JITAIs) that are based on passive sensing of the user's current context (eg, via smartphones and wearables) have been devised to enhance the effectiveness of these apps and foster PA. JITAIs aim to provide personalized support and interventions such as encouraging messages in a context-aware manner. However, the limited range of passive sensing capabilities often make it challenging to determine the timing and context for delivering well-accepted and effective interventions. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) can provide personal context by directly capturing user assessments (eg, moods and emotions). Thus, EMA might be a useful complement to passive sensing in determining when JITAIs are triggered. However, extensive EMA schedules need to be scrutinized, as they can increase user burden. Objective: The aim of the study was to use machine learning to balance the feature set size of EMA questions with the prediction accuracy regarding of enacting PA. Methods: A total of 43 healthy participants (aged 19?67 years) completed 4 EMA surveys daily over 3 weeks. These surveys prospectively assessed various states, including both motivational and volitional variables related to PA preparation (eg, intrinsic motivation, self-efficacy, and perceived barriers) alongside stress and mood or emotions. PA enactment was assessed retrospectively via EMA and served as the outcome variable. Results: The best-performing machine learning models predicted PA engagement with a mean area under the curve score of 0.87 (SD 0.02) in 5-fold cross-validation and 0.87 on the test set. Particularly strong predictors included self-efficacy, stress, planning, and perceived barriers, indicating that a small set of EMA predictors can yield accurate PA prediction for these participants. Conclusions: A small set of EMA-based features like self-efficacy, stress, planning, and perceived barriers can be enough to predict PA reasonably well and can thus be used to meaningfully tailor JITAIs such as sending well-timed and context-aware support messages. ", doi="10.2196/57255", url="https://mhealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e57255" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/58183, author="Gr{\"u}neberg, Catharina and B{\"a}uerle, Alexander and Karunakaran, Sophia and Darici, Dogus and D{\"o}rrie, Nora and Teufel, Martin and Benson, Sven and Robitzsch, Anita", title="Medical Students' Acceptance of Tailored e--Mental Health Apps to Foster Their Mental Health: Cross-Sectional Study", journal="JMIR Med Educ", year="2025", month="Jan", day="24", volume="11", pages="e58183", keywords="eHealth", keywords="medical education", keywords="medical students", keywords="tailored interventions", keywords="UTAUT", keywords="intention to use", keywords="e--mental health apps", keywords="app", keywords="foster", keywords="cross-sectional study", keywords="mental health problems", keywords="physician", keywords="well-being", keywords="mobile apps", keywords="acceptance", keywords="assessment", keywords="mental health apps", abstract="Background: Despite the high prevalence of mental health problems among medical students and physicians, help-seeking remains low. Digital mental health approaches offer beneficial opportunities to increase well-being, for example, via mobile apps. Objective: This study aimed to assess the acceptance, and its underlying predictors, of tailored e--mental health apps among medical students by focusing on stress management and the promotion of personal skills. Methods: From November 2022 to July 2023, a cross-sectional study was conducted with 245 medical students at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany. Sociodemographic, mental health, and eHealth-related data were assessed. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) was applied. Differences in acceptance were examined and a multiple hierarchical regression analysis was conducted. Results: The general acceptance of tailored e--mental health apps among medical students was high (mean 3.72, SD 0.92). Students with a job besides medical school reported higher acceptance (t107.3=--2.16; P=.03; Padj=.027; Cohen d=4.13) as well as students with higher loads of anxiety symptoms (t92.4=2.36; P=.02; Padj=.03; Cohen d=0.35). The t values were estimated using a 2-tailed t test. Regression analysis revealed that acceptance was significantly predicted by anxiety symptoms ($\beta$=.11; P=.045), depressive symptoms ($\beta$=--.11; P=.05), internet anxiety ($\beta$=--.12; P=.01), digital overload ($\beta$=.1; P=.03), and the 3 UTAUT core predictors---performance expectancy ($\beta$=.24; P<.001), effort expectancy ($\beta$=.26; P<.001), and social influence ($\beta$=.43; P<.001). Conclusions: The high acceptance of e--mental health apps among medical students and its predictors lay a valuable basis for the development and implementation of tailored e--mental health apps within medical education to foster their mental health. More research using validated measures is needed to replicate our findings and to further investigate medical students' specific needs and demands regarding the framework of tailored e--mental health apps. ", doi="10.2196/58183", url="https://mededu.jmir.org/2025/1/e58183" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/47837, author="Huang, Qinyuan and Zhong, Qinyi and Zeng, Yanjing and Li, Yimeng and Wiley, James and Wang, Ping Man and Chen, Jyu-Lin and Guo, Jia", title="mHealth-Based Diabetes Prevention Program for Chinese Mothers With Abdominal Obesity: Randomized Controlled Trial", journal="JMIR Mhealth Uhealth", year="2025", month="Jan", day="24", volume="13", pages="e47837", keywords="type 2 diabetes", keywords="mHealth", keywords="obesity", keywords="prevention", keywords="mothers", abstract="Background: Among people with abdominal obesity, women are more likely to develop diabetes than men. Mobile health (mHealth)--based technologies provide the flexibility and resource-saving opportunities to improve lifestyles in an individualized way. However, mHealth-based diabetes prevention programs tailored for busy mothers with abdominal obesity have not been reported yet. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an mHealth-based diabetes prevention program and its preliminary efficacy in reducing weight-related variables, behavioral variables, psychological variables, and diabetes risk among Chinese mothers with abdominal obesity over 6 months. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted at health management centers in 2 tertiary hospitals in Changsha, China. The mHealth group (n=40) received 12 weekly web-based lifestyle modification modules for diabetes prevention, 6 biweekly individualized health education messages based on their goal settings, and a Fitbit tracker. The control group (n=40) received 12 weekly web-based general health education modules, 6 biweekly general health education messages, and a Fitbit tracker. Data were collected at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months on the feasibility and acceptability outcomes, weight-related variables (waist circumference and BMI), diabetes risk scores, glycemic levels, behavioral variables (daily step count, active minutes, fruit and vegetable intake, calorie consumption, and sleep duration), and psychological variables (self-efficacy and social support for physical activity and diet, perceived stress, and quality of life). Generalized estimating equations were used for data analysis. Results: Approximately 85\% (68/80) of the participants completed 6 months of follow-up assessments. Regarding the feasibility and acceptance of the program in the mHealth group, the average number of modules reviewed was 7.9 out of 12, and the satisfaction score was 4.37 out of 5. Significant improvements at 6 months between the intervention and control groups were found in waist circumference ($\beta$=--2.24, 95\% CI --4.12 to --0.36; P=.02), modifiable diabetes risk scores ($\beta$=--2.5, 95\% CI --4.57 to --0.44; P=.02), daily steps ($\beta$=1.67, 95\% CI 0.06-3.29; P=.04), self-efficacy for physical activity ($\beta$=1.93, 95\% CI 0.44-3.43; P=.01), social support for physical activity ($\beta$=2.27, 95\% CI 0.80-3.74; P=.002), and physical health satisfaction ($\beta$=0.82, 95\% CI 0.08-1.55; P=.03). No differences were found in BMI, total diabetes risk score, daily active minutes, daily intake of fruits and vegetables, sleep duration, daily calorie consumption, self-efficacy, and social support for diet (P>.05). Conclusions: This study addresses the potential role of tailored lifestyle interventions based on mHealth technology by offering tailored web-based health modules and health information in managing diabetes risk among mothers with abdominal obesity. The mHealth diabetes prevention program provides a flexible, customized, and resource-saving model for busy mothers. Future research could further explore the efficacy improvement on dietary behaviors to better serve the health care needs of this population. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2400090554; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=226411 ", doi="10.2196/47837", url="https://mhealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e47837" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/68031, author="Metaxa, Marina Athina and Liverpool, Shaun and Eisenstadt, Mia and Pollard, John and Carlsson, Courtney", title="Improving Mental Health and Well-Being Through the Paradym App: Quantitative Study of Real-World Data", journal="JMIR Form Res", year="2025", month="Jan", day="23", volume="9", pages="e68031", keywords="well-being", keywords="awareness", keywords="mental health", keywords="formative", keywords="mobile phone", keywords="apps", keywords="quantitative evaluation", keywords="real-world data", keywords="emotional well-being", keywords="pre-post", keywords="single arm", keywords="quantitative data", abstract="Background: With growing evidence suggesting that levels of emotional well-being have been decreasing globally over the past few years, demand for easily accessible, convenient, and affordable well-being and mental health support has increased. Although mental health apps designed to tackle this demand by targeting diagnosed conditions have been shown to be beneficial, less research has focused on apps aiming to improve emotional well-being. There is also a dearth of research on well-being apps structured around users' lived experiences and emotional patterns and a lack of integration of real-world evidence of app usage. Thus, the potential benefits of these apps need to be evaluated using robust real-world data. Objective: This study aimed to explore usage patterns and preliminary outcomes related to mental health and well-being among users of an app (Paradym; Paradym Ltd) designed to promote emotional well-being and positive mental health. Methods: This is a pre-post, single-arm evaluation of real-world data provided by users of the Paradym app. Data were provided as part of optional built-in self-assessments that users completed to test their levels of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire-7), life satisfaction (Satisfaction With Life Scale), and overall well-being (World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index) when they first started using the app and at regular intervals following initial usage. Usage patterns, including the number of assessments completed and the length of time between assessments, were recorded. Data were analyzed using within-subjects t tests, and Cohen d estimates were used to measure effect sizes. Results: A total of 3237 app users completed at least 1 self-assessment, and 787 users completed a follow-up assessment. The sample was diverse, with 2000 users (61.8\%) being located outside of the United States. At baseline, many users reported experiencing strong feelings of burnout (677/1627, 41.6\%), strong insecurities (73/211, 34.6\%), and low levels of thriving (140/260, 53.8\%). Users also experienced symptoms of depression (mean 9.85, SD 5.55) and anxiety (mean 14.27, SD 6.77) and reported low levels of life satisfaction (mean 12.14, SD 7.42) and general well-being (mean 9.88, SD 5.51). On average, users had been using the app for 74 days when they completed a follow-up assessment. Following app usage, small but significant improvements were reported across all outcomes of interest, with anxiety and depression scores improving by 1.20 and 1.26 points on average, respectively, and life satisfaction and well-being scores improving by 0.71 and 0.97 points, respectively. Conclusions: This real-world data analysis and evaluation provided positive preliminary evidence for the Paradym app's effectiveness in improving mental health and well-being, supporting its use as a scalable intervention for emotional well-being, with potential applications across diverse populations and settings, and encourages the use of built-in assessments in mental health app research. ", doi="10.2196/68031", url="https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e68031" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/63126, author="Holmes, Glenn and Tang, Biya and Gupta, Sunil and Venkatesh, Svetha and Christensen, Helen and Whitton, Alexis", title="Applications of Large Language Models in the Field of Suicide Prevention: Scoping Review", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Jan", day="23", volume="27", pages="e63126", keywords="suicide", keywords="suicide prevention", keywords="large language model", keywords="self-harm", keywords="artificial intelligence", keywords="AI", keywords="PRISMA", abstract="Background: Prevention of suicide is a global health priority. Approximately 800,000 individuals die by suicide yearly, and for every suicide death, there are another 20 estimated suicide attempts. Large language models (LLMs) hold the potential to enhance scalable, accessible, and affordable digital services for suicide prevention and self-harm interventions. However, their use also raises clinical and ethical questions that require careful consideration. Objective: This scoping review aims to identify emergent trends in LLM applications in the field of suicide prevention and self-harm research. In addition, it summarizes key clinical and ethical considerations relevant to this nascent area of research. Methods: Searches were conducted in 4 databases (PsycINFO, Embase, PubMed, and IEEE Xplore) in February 2024. Eligible studies described the application of LLMs for suicide or self-harm prevention, detection, or management. English-language peer-reviewed articles and conference proceedings were included, without date restrictions. Narrative synthesis was used to synthesize study characteristics, objectives, models, data sources, proposed clinical applications, and ethical considerations. This review adhered to the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) standards. Results: Of the 533 studies identified, 36 (6.8\%) met the inclusion criteria. An additional 7 studies were identified through citation chaining, resulting in 43 studies for review. The studies showed a bifurcation of publication fields, with varying publication norms between computer science and mental health. While most of the studies (33/43, 77\%) focused on identifying suicide risk, newer applications leveraging generative functions (eg, support, education, and training) are emerging. Social media was the most common source of LLM training data. Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) was the predominant model used, although generative pretrained transformers (GPTs) featured prominently in generative applications. Clinical LLM applications were reported in 60\% (26/43) of the studies, often for suicide risk detection or as clinical assistance tools. Ethical considerations were reported in 33\% (14/43) of the studies, with privacy, confidentiality, and consent strongly represented. Conclusions: This evolving research area, bridging computer science and mental health, demands a multidisciplinary approach. While open access models and datasets will likely shape the field of suicide prevention, documenting their limitations and potential biases is crucial. High-quality training data are essential for refining these models and mitigating unwanted biases. Policies that address ethical concerns---particularly those related to privacy and security when using social media data---are imperative. Limitations include high variability across disciplines in how LLMs and study methodology are reported. The emergence of generative artificial intelligence signals a shift in approach, particularly in applications related to care, support, and education, such as improved crisis care and gatekeeper training methods, clinician copilot models, and improved educational practices. Ongoing human oversight---through human-in-the-loop testing or expert external validation---is essential for responsible development and use. Trial Registration: OSF Registries osf.io/nckq7; https://osf.io/nckq7 ", doi="10.2196/63126", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e63126", url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39847414" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/68372, author="Hayek, Joyce and Dickson, Kelsi and Lafave, Z. Lynne M.", title="Assessing and Enhancing Nutrition and Physical Activity Environments in Early Childhood Education and Care Centers: Scoping Review of eHealth Tools", journal="JMIR Pediatr Parent", year="2025", month="Jan", day="22", volume="8", pages="e68372", keywords="eHealth", keywords="early childhood educators", keywords="ECE", keywords="early childhood education and care", keywords="ECEC", keywords="knowledge synthesis", keywords="digital technology", keywords="health technology", keywords="digital public health", keywords="eating", keywords="diet", abstract="Background: Early childhood is a critical period for shaping lifelong health behaviors, making early childhood education and care (ECEC) environments ideal for implementing nutrition and physical activity interventions. eHealth tools are increasingly utilized in ECEC settings due to their accessibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, demonstrating promise in enhancing educators' practices. Despite the potential effectiveness of these eHealth approaches, a comprehensive collection of available evidence on eHealth tools designed to assess or support best practices for nutrition or physical activity in ECECs is currently lacking. Objective: The primary objective of this scoping review is to map the range of available eHealth tools designed to assess or deliver interventions aimed at improving nutrition or physical activity in ECEC settings, while evaluating their components, theoretical foundations, and effectiveness. Methods: This scoping review adhered to the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) checklist. The objectives, inclusion criteria, and methods for this review were predefined and specified. Eligibility criteria were (1) early childhood educators (population); (2) eHealth (digital) technologies, such as websites, smartphone apps, emails, and social media; and (3) tools designed to assess or deliver interventions aimed at improving best practices for nutrition, physical activity, or both within ECEC settings (context). A search was conducted across 5 electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL Plus, ERIC, and Embase) to identify white literature, and 3 electronic databases (ProQuest, Google Scholar, and targeted Google search), along with hand-searching of reference lists, were used to identify gray literature. All literature was reported in English or French, with the search extending until May 2024. Separate data charting tools were used for white and gray literature. Results: The search strategy identified 3064 results for white literature, yielding 2653 unique citations after duplicates were removed. Full texts for 65 citations were retrieved and screened for inclusion, resulting in 30 studies eligible for data extraction and analysis. The most common study design was a randomized controlled trial, comprising 16 studies (53\%). The largest proportion of studies were conducted in the United States (11 studies, 37\%). In total, 19 eHealth tools were identified, targeting nutrition (8 tools, 42\%), physical activity (5 tools, 26\%), or both nutrition and physical activity (6 tools, 32\%). All tools were web based (19 tools, 100\%). The gray literature search yielded 1054 results, of which 17 were moved to full-text screening, and 7 met the eligibility criteria for data extraction and analysis. The tools identified in the gray literature originated in Canada (4 tools, 57\%) and the United States (3 tools, 43\%). The majority targeted nutrition (4 tools, 57\%) and were primarily web based (6 tools, 86\%), with 1 mobile app (1 tool, 14\%). Conclusions: This scoping review mapped the available eHealth tools designed to improve nutrition or physical activity environments in ECEC settings, highlighting the growing emphasis on web-based tools and the need for psychometric testing. Future research should systematically evaluate the effectiveness of these tools, particularly those addressing both nutrition and physical activity, to identify the key factors that contribute to long-term behavior change. Trial Registration: Open Science Framework XTRNZ; https://osf.io/xtrnz International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/52252 ", doi="10.2196/68372", url="https://pediatrics.jmir.org/2025/1/e68372" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/56310, author="Schultz, Adrian and Luppa, Melanie and Bleckwenn, Markus and Riedel-Heller, G. Steffi and Zuelke, Andrea", title="Attitudes of German General Practitioners Toward eHealth Apps for Dementia Risk Reduction: Qualitative Interview Study", journal="JMIR Form Res", year="2025", month="Jan", day="22", volume="9", pages="e56310", keywords="eHealth", keywords="dementia", keywords="primary care", keywords="lifestyle", keywords="risk factor", keywords="older adults", keywords="prevention", keywords="brain health", abstract="Background: eHealth interventions constitute a promising approach to disease prevention, particularly because of their ability to facilitate lifestyle changes. Although a rather recent development, eHealth interventions might be able to promote brain health and reduce dementia risk in older adults. Objective: This study aimed to explore the perspective of general practitioners (GPs) on the potentials and barriers of eHealth interventions for brain health. Understanding the perspective of GPs allows us to identify chances and challenges for implementing eHealth apps for dementia risk reduction. Methods: We conducted semistructured expert interviews with 9 GPs working in an outpatient setting in and near Leipzig, Germany. Data were fully transcribed and analyzed using a process model of qualitative content analysis with codes and categories being constructed inductively and deductively. Results: We found generally favorable but balanced views of eHealth apps for brain health. Eight themes were identified and elaborated on in the data as follows: ``addressing dementia,'' ``knowledge about dementia,'' ``need for information,'' ``potential for prevention,'' ``chances for apps for prevention,'' ``development of apps for prevention,'' and ``barriers of apps for prevention.'' GPs talked mostly about how and when to address dementia and the requirements for their use of eHealth apps for dementia prevention. GPs stated that they only addressed dementia once abnormalities were already present or less frequently when a patient or relative expressed a direct wish, while individual dementia risk or standardized diagnostic during routine check-ups were mentioned much less frequently. According to GPs, knowledge about dementia in patients was low; therefore, patients expressed little need for information on dementia risk factors and prevention in GP practices. Most patients wished for quick information regarding diagnostics, treatment options, and progression of the disease. GPs mentioned a lack of overview of the available eHealth apps and their content. They also expressed a fear of inducing health anxiety when talking to patients about risk factors and prevention. Conclusions: GPs want patients to receive relevant and individualized information. Prerequisites for the use of eHealth apps for dementia prevention were app characteristics related to design and content. GPs need to address dementia more routinely, assess relevant risk factors, and aid patients in a preventive role. Concerns were expressed over limited effectiveness, overwhelming patients, limited use in clinical practice, and only targeting patients with an already low risk of dementia. ", doi="10.2196/56310", url="https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e56310" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/63567, author="Hultman, Lisa and Eklund, Caroline and von Heideken W{\aa}gert, Petra and S{\"o}derlund, Anne and Lind{\'e}n, Maria and Elfstr{\"o}m, L. Magnus", title="Development of an eHealth Intervention Including Self-Management for Reducing Sedentary Time in the Transition to Retirement: Participatory Design Study", journal="JMIR Form Res", year="2025", month="Jan", day="20", volume="9", pages="e63567", keywords="behavior change intervention", keywords="adherence", keywords="integrated behavior change model", keywords="autonomous motivation", keywords="affective determinants", abstract="Background: Having a great amount of sedentary time is common among older adults and increases with age. There is a strong need for tools to reduce sedentary time and promote adherence to reduced sedentary time, for which eHealth interventions have the potential to be useful. Interventions for reducing sedentary time in older adults have been found to be more effective when elements of self-management are included. When creating new eHealth interventions, accessibility and effectiveness can be increased by including end users as co-designers in the development process. Objective: The aim was to explore the desired features of an eHealth intervention including self-management for reducing sedentary time and promoting adherence to reduced sedentary time in older adults transitioning from working life to retirement. Further, the aim was to develop a digital prototype of such an eHealth intervention. Methods: The study used the participatory design approach to include end users, researchers, and a web designer as equal partners. Three workshops were conducted with 6 older adults transitioning to retirement, 2 researchers, and 1 web designer. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data from the workshops. Results: Participants expressed a desire for an easy-to-use eHealth intervention, which could be accessed from mobile phones, tablets, and computers, and could be individualized to the user. The most important features for reducing sedentary time were those involving finding joyful activities, setting goals, and getting information regarding reduced sedentary time. Participants expressed that the eHealth intervention would need to first provide the user with knowledge regarding sedentary time, then offer features for measuring sedentary time and for setting goals, and lastly provide support in finding joyful activities to perform in order to avoid being sedentary. According to the participants, an eHealth intervention including self-management for reducing sedentary time in older adults in the transition to retirement should be concise, accessible, and enjoyable. A digital prototype of such an eHealth intervention was developed. Conclusions: The developed eHealth intervention including self-management for reducing sedentary time in older adults transitioning to retirement is intended to facilitate behavior change by encouraging the user to participate in autonomously motivated activities. It uses several behavior change techniques, such as goal setting and action planning through mental contrasting and implementation intention, as well as shaping knowledge. Its active components for reducing sedentary time can be explained using the integrated behavior change model. Further research is needed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the eHealth intervention. ", doi="10.2196/63567", url="https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e63567" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/64427, author="Zhang, Fuquan and Bang, Deepali and Visperas, Alejandro Christine and Tun, Hnin Mon and Tay, San San", title="Feasibility, User Acceptance, and Outcomes of Using a Cancer Prehabilitation App for Exercise: Pilot Cohort Study", journal="JMIR Form Res", year="2025", month="Jan", day="20", volume="9", pages="e64427", keywords="cancer prehabilitation", keywords="mobile app", keywords="technology", keywords="feasibility", keywords="acceptance", keywords="cancer", keywords="prehabilitation", keywords="mHealth", keywords="exercise", keywords="application", keywords="app", keywords="mobile application", keywords="reliability", keywords="smartphone app", keywords="sustainability", keywords="effectiveness", keywords="older patients", keywords="older adults", keywords="elderly", abstract="Background: The efficacy of cancer prehabilitation programs is supported by international reviews and meta-analyses. Technology has been deployed in cancer prehabilitation to address challenges such as access or limited resources. This study evaluated the feasibility, user acceptance, safety, and program outcomes of a newly developed mobile app for cancer prehabilitation. The app integrates with Singapore's existing health care mobile app, Health Buddy, and provides instructional videos for prescribed exercises. Objective: The objectives of this study were to investigate the feasibility, user experience, safety, and outcomes of a mobile app for cancer prehabilitation within a hospital-associated, home-based, multimodal cancer prehabilitation program. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the records of patients enrolled in the cancer prehabilitation program from September 1, 2022, to March 30, 2023. Patients who participated in the prehabilitation program (n=63) were categorized into 2 groups: those prescribed the app (n=41) and those who were not (n=22). There was further subgroup analysis of those who were prescribed: app users (n=25) versus those who were non-app users (n=16). Demographics, Fried Frailty Phenotype, prehabilitation duration, app use, and functional outcome measures (6-minute walk test [6MWT], 30-second sit-to-stand test [STS], timed up and go test [TUG], and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]) were collected. Compliance was determined by the completion of prescribed exercises and the accuracy of executing these exercises, with a high compliance rate considered to be at 80\% or more. Baseline characteristics and preoperative outcomes were compared between the groups. User satisfaction was assessed through surveys among app users (n=25). Results: Among 63 patients, 41 (65.1\%) patients were prescribed the app, of which 22 (34.9\%) patients were users. No significant differences in preoperative functional improvements were observed between app users and nonusers (6MWT: P=.60; STS: P=.81; TUG: P=.53; HADS: P=.36), or between those prescribed and not prescribed the app (6MWT: P=.94; STS: P=.26; TUG: P=.39; HADS: P=.62). However, high compliance rates (80\%) were observed among app users. Patient satisfaction with the app was high (>90\%), with positive feedback on ease of use and technical reliability. Baseline measures revealed significantly lower functional scores and higher mean frailty scores in the nonprescribed group. Conclusions: This preliminary study demonstrates the acceptability, feasibility, and safety of Singapore's first smartphone app for exercise prescription in cancer prehabilitation. Lower baseline functional outcome measures and a higher mean frailty score in the unprescribed group have implications for the selection process and patient participation. Further studies should include strategies to enhance patients' readiness for technology, sustainability, and effectiveness in older patients. ", doi="10.2196/64427", url="https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e64427" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/58265, author="Rizzi, Silvia and Pavesi, Chiara Maria and Moser, Alessia and Paolazzi, Francesca and Marchesoni, Michele and Poggianella, Stefania and Gadotti, Erik and Forti, Stefano", title="A Mindfulness-Based App Intervention for Pregnant Women: Qualitative Evaluation of a Prototype Using Multiple Case Studies", journal="JMIR Form Res", year="2025", month="Jan", day="17", volume="9", pages="e58265", keywords="mindfulness", keywords="promoting well-being", keywords="pregnancy", keywords="eHealth", keywords="mHealth", keywords="mobile apps", keywords="development", keywords="usability", keywords="user-centered design", keywords="well-being", keywords="maternal health", keywords="digital health", keywords="intervention", keywords="design", keywords="preliminary testing", keywords="technology-based", keywords="interview", keywords="multidisciplinary approach", keywords="mother", keywords="women", keywords="WhatsApp", keywords="email", keywords="midwife", abstract="Background: Pregnancy is a complex period characterized by significant transformations. How a woman adapts to these changes can affect her quality of life and psychological well-being. Recently developed digital solutions have assumed a crucial role in supporting the psychological well-being of pregnant women. However, these tools have mainly been developed for women who already present clinically relevant psychological symptoms or mental disorders. Objective: This study aimed to develop a mindfulness-based well-being intervention for all pregnant women that can be delivered electronically and guided by an online assistant with wide reach and dissemination. This paper aimed to describe a prototype technology-based mindfulness intervention's design and development process for pregnant women, including the exploration phase, intervention content development, and iterative software development (including design, development, and formative evaluation of paper and low-fidelity prototypes). Methods: Design and development processes were iterative and performed in close collaboration with key stakeholders (N=15), domain experts including mindfulness experts (n=2), communication experts (n=2), and psychologists (n=3), and target users including pregnant women (n=2), mothers with young children (n=2), and midwives (n=4). User-centered and service design methods, such as interviews and usability testing, were included to ensure user involvement in each phase. Domain experts evaluated a paper prototype, while target users evaluated a low-fidelity prototype. Intervention content was developed by psychologists and mindfulness experts based on the Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting program and adjusted to an electronic format through multiple iterations with stakeholders. Results: An 8-session intervention in a prototype electronic format using text, audio, video, and images was designed. In general, the prototypes were evaluated positively by the users involved. The questionnaires showed that domain experts, for instance, positively evaluated chatbot-related aspects such as empathy and comprehensibility of the terms used and rated the mindfulness traces present as supportive and functional. The target users found the content interesting and clear. However, both parties regarded the listening as not fully active. In addition, the interviews made it possible to pick up useful suggestions in order to refine the intervention. Domain experts suggested incorporating auditory components alongside textual content or substituting text entirely with auditory or audiovisual formats. Debate surrounded the inclusion of background music in mindfulness exercises, with opinions divided on its potential to either distract or aid in engagement. The target users proposed to supplement the app with some face-to-face meetings at crucial moments of the course, such as the beginning and the end. Conclusions: This study illustrates how user-centered and service designs can be applied to identify and incorporate essential stakeholder aspects in the design and development process. Combined with evidence-based concepts, this process facilitated the development of a mindfulness intervention designed for the end users, in this case, pregnant women. ", doi="10.2196/58265", url="https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e58265" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/56601, author="Park, Sehwan and Cho, Young Hee and Park, Young Jin and Chung, Kyungmi and Jhung, Kyungun", title="Development and Evaluation of a Mindfulness-Based Mobile Intervention for Perinatal Mental Health: Randomized Controlled Trial", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Jan", day="17", volume="27", pages="e56601", keywords="anxiety", keywords="perinatal mental health", keywords="depression", keywords="mobile health care", keywords="mindfulness", keywords="mobile phone", abstract="Background: Perinatal mental health problems, such as anxiety, stress, and depression, warrant particularly close monitoring and intervention, but they are often unaddressed in both obstetric and psychiatric clinics, with limited accessibility and treatment resources. Mobile health interventions may provide an effective and more accessible solution for addressing perinatal mental health. Development and evaluation of a mobile mental health intervention specifically for pregnant women are warranted. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a 4-week, self-administered mobile mindfulness intervention in reducing anxiety, depression, and stress, and improving emotional well-being, maternal-fetal attachment, and mindfulness skills in a general population of pregnant women. Methods: Pregnant women were recruited and randomized to an intervention or a wait-list control group. The intervention group participated in a self-administered 4-week smartphone-based mindfulness program. Anxiety, depression, and stress were assessed as primary outcomes at baseline and postintervention. Secondary outcomes were mental health well-being, maternal-fetal attachment, and skills of mindfulness. The usability of the mobile intervention was also evaluated. Results: A total of 133 pregnant women were randomly assigned to the intervention (n=66) or the control group (n=67). The overall dropout rate was 30\% (39/133). Anxiety scores of the intervention group significantly decreased from baseline to postintervention (P=.03, Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test), whereas no significant changes were observed in the control group. Depression and stress scores showed no significant changes. Emotional well-being significantly improved in the intervention group (P=.01). Improvements were observed in maternal-fetal attachment, particularly in attributing characteristics to the fetus (P=.003) and in differentiating the self from the fetus (P=.006). Mindfulness awareness also showed significant improvement (P=.008). Significant between-group effects were identified for mindfulness awareness (P=.006) and attributing characteristics to the fetus (P=.002). After applying the false discovery rate corrections, within-group improvements in emotional well-being, maternal-fetal attachment, and mindfulness awareness remained significant, while between-group differences for emotional well-being and differentiation were not significant. Conclusions: A mobile mindfulness program effectively reduced anxiety and improved emotional well-being, maternal-fetal attachment, and mindfulness awareness in the general population of pregnant women. Mobile interventions may offer a cost-effective and feasible method for promoting perinatal mental health. Trial Registration: Clinical Research Information Service KCT0007166; https://tinyurl.com/458vfc4r ", doi="10.2196/56601", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e56601" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/60382, author="McCage, Sydney and Walker, Kristin and Cornelius, Talea and Parker, A. Robert and Dams-O'Connor, Kristen and Dickerson, Brad and Ritchie, Christine and Vranceanu, Ana-Maria and Bannon, Sarah", title="A Live Video Resiliency Dyadic Intervention for Persons With Dementia and Their Care-Partners Early After Diagnosis: Protocol for Open Pilot of Resilient Together for Dementia", journal="JMIR Res Protoc", year="2025", month="Jan", day="15", volume="14", pages="e60382", keywords="dementia", keywords="dyad", keywords="emotional distress", keywords="intervention", keywords="diagnosis", keywords="telehealth", keywords="resilient", keywords="dyadic intervention", keywords="care-partner", keywords="Alzheimer's disease", keywords="ADRD", keywords="psychosocial", keywords="depression", abstract="Background: Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRDs) are increasingly common progressive conditions that have a substantial impact on individuals and their primary care partners---together described as a dyad. The stressors experienced by dyad members at around the time of ADRD diagnosis commonly produce clinically elevated emotional distress (ie, depression and anxiety symptoms), which can become chronic and negatively impact health, relationships, and the overall quality of life. Dyads commonly report unmet needs for early support to address these challenges early after diagnosis. Objective: This study is part of a larger study that has the primary objective to develop, adapt, and establish the feasibility of Resilient Together for Dementia (RT-ADRD), a novel dyadic skills-based intervention aimed at preventing chronic emotional distress early after diagnosis. The present study protocol describes an open pilot of the RT-ADRD intervention. This study will allow the study team to gather feedback on intervention components, administration of study measures, issues within general protocol, and perceptions about live video interventions prior to a larger feasibility trial. Methods: All study procedures will be conducted on the web (via phone and health care system--supported videoconferencing) to optimize accessibility, inclusion, and representativeness. Eligible dyads will include couples (up to N=10) referred from Mount Sinai Hospital (MSH) clinics within 3 months of an ADRD diagnosis. Dyads will be referred by their diagnosing clinicians (eg, neurologists, geriatricians, and neuropsychologists) and screened for eligibility. Eligible dyads will have at least one member who exhibits clinically elevated emotional distress and will demonstrate capacity to consent to research participation on a standardized assessment. Consenting dyads will complete baseline assessments of emotional distress, quality of life, relationship functioning, and resiliency skills. Dyads will then participate in 6 weekly RT-ADRD sessions together (30-60 minutes each). After the conclusion of the intervention, dyad members will complete posttest assessments with similar measures as the pretest. Finally, dyads will participate together in a single 60-minute exit interview to gather information on intervention content and procedures to refine the intervention before a pilot feasibility trial. Results: This study has been approved by the MSH institutional review board and is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06421545). We anticipate that the study will be completed by late 2024. Conclusions: We will use these results to administer changes and develop procedures for a pilot feasibility trial of RT-ADRD relative to a minimally enhanced control condition. Our study will allow us to gather comprehensive information on proposed RT-ADRD procedures and content and the best ways of delivering prevention-focused interventions to reduce the potential for chronic emotional distress stemming from ADRDs. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/60382 ", doi="10.2196/60382", url="https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e60382" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/53971, author="Hoeppner, B. Bettina and Siegel, R. Kaitlyn and Futter, E. Allison and Finley-Abboud, Diadora and Williamson, C. Alivia and Kahler, W. Christopher and Park, R. Elyse and Hoeppner, S. Susanne", title="Smoking Cessation Smartphone App for Nondaily Smoking With Telephone Onboarding: Proof-of-Concept Randomized Controlled Trial", journal="JMIR Mhealth Uhealth", year="2025", month="Jan", day="15", volume="13", pages="e53971", keywords="mobile health", keywords="mHealth", keywords="smoking cessation", keywords="nondaily smoking", keywords="smartphone", keywords="smoking", keywords="positive psychology", keywords="mobile phone", abstract="Background: Nondaily smoking is a widespread and increasingly prevalent pattern of use. To date, no effective treatment approach for nondaily smoking has been identified. Objective: This study aimed to conduct an unblinded randomized controlled trial to evaluate proof-of-concept markers of the Smiling instead of Smoking (SiS) app, a smartphone app for smoking cessation, designed specifically for people who smoke less than daily, within the framework of positive psychology. Methods: Overall, 226 adults who smoke less than daily were recruited on the web and asked to undertake a quit attempt while using assigned smoking cessation support materials. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 materials: the SiS smartphone app, the National Cancer Institute's smartphone app QuitGuide (QG), or the National Cancer Institute's smoking cessation brochure, ``Clearing the Air'' (CtA). All participants engaged in a 15-minute scripted onboarding phone call and were introduced to their support materials to use for the next 7 weeks. Follow-up self-assessment web surveys were sent 2, 6, 12, and 24 weeks after participants' initially chosen quit date (ie, 1 week after onboarding). The primary outcome for this study was self-efficacy to remain abstinent from smoking at treatment end. Secondary outcomes assessed treatment acceptability, treatment feasibility (eg, number of days of app use, time spent using app, and use of smoking cessation strategies), and secondary proof-of-concept efficacy outcomes (eg, positive affect, craving, and attitudes toward smoking). Smoking outcomes (ie, 30-day point prevalence abstinence and smoking reduction) were also assessed. Results: Results indicated a significant effect of treatment on the primary outcome, where SiS participants (n=80) reported higher self-efficacy to abstain from smoking at the end of treatment than the 2 control groups (QG: n=75; P=.02; Cohen d=0.40 and CtA: n=71; P=.007; Cohen d=0.50). This effect was also significant on both self-efficacy subscales (ie, internal cues and external cues) with effect sizes ranging from Cohen d=0.34 to 0.50 across the pairwise comparisons. The SiS app group also reported lower craving (QG: P=.005; Cohen d=--0.57 and CtA: P=.005; Cohen d=--0.57) and higher positive affect than QG (QG: P=.01; Cohen d=0.44 and CtA: P=.05; Cohen d=0.38); attitudes toward smoking were largely similar across groups. Treatment acceptability was comparable across groups (P values for all groups >.05; Cohen d range 0.06-0.23). Treatment feasibility measures indicated that participants used the SiS app on 33 out of 49 days, for 35 to 40 minutes per week, resulting in greater use of smoking cessation strategies than QG (QG: P=.04; Cohen d=0.38 and CtA: P=.16; Cohen d=0.24). Conclusions: These findings provide strong evidence for the conceptual underpinnings of the SiS app, and thereby provide compelling justification for conducting a large-scale randomized controlled trial that can test the effectiveness of the SiS app on smoking cessation. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04672239; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04672239 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/40867 ", doi="10.2196/53971", url="https://mhealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e53971" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/65122, author="Hendrie, A. Gilly and Baird, L. Danielle and James-Martin, Genevieve and Brindal, Emily and Brooker, G. Paige", title="Weight Loss Patterns and Outcomes Over 12 Months on a Commercial Weight Management Program (CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet Online): Large-Community Cohort Evaluation Study", journal="J Med Internet Res", year="2025", month="Jan", day="15", volume="27", pages="e65122", keywords="obesity", keywords="obesity management", keywords="weight loss", keywords="internet-based intervention, weight management", abstract="Background: A greater understanding of the effectiveness of digital self-management programs and their ability to support longer-term weight loss is needed. Objective: This study aimed to explore the total weight loss and patterns of weight loss of CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) Total Wellbeing Diet Online members during their first 12 months of membership and examine the patterns of platform use associated with greater weight loss. Methods: Participants were Australian adults who joined the program between October 2014 and June 2022 and were classified as longer-term members, meaning they completed at least 12 weeks of the program, had baseline and 12-week weight data, and had a paid membership of ?1 year (N=24,035). Weight loss and percentage of starting body weight loss were calculated at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months using 3 statistical approaches: (1) multiple imputations method, (2) all available data, and (3) complete data only. Among members with complete data (6602/24,035, 27.5\%), patterns of weight loss and gain were examined, and how this related to total weight loss and platform use was explored. Results: Members were mostly female (19,972/24,035, 83.09\%), aged 31 to 50 years (9986/24,035, 41.5\%) or 51 to 70 years (12,033/24,035, 50.06\%), and most members were classified as overweight or obese (23,050/24,035, 95.9\%). Using multiple imputations, the average estimated weight loss was 5.9 (SE 0.0245) kg at 12 weeks, 6.7 (SE 0.0348) kg at 6 months, 6.2 (SE 0.0400) kg at 9 months, and 5.5 (SE 0.0421) kg at 12 months. At 12 months, more than half the members (12,573/24,035, 52.3\%) were at least 5\% below their starting body weight and 1 in 4 (5865/24,035, 24.4\%) were at least 10\% below their starting body weight. In the subsample with complete data, the average weight loss at 12 months was 7.8 kg. The most common (961/6602, 14.56\% members) weight loss pattern over the first 12 months was 6 months of weight loss, followed by 6 months of weight maintenance. This group had an average weight loss of 10.6 kg at 12 months (11.9\% of their starting body weight). In a subgroup of participants who consistently lost weight over the 12-month period (284/6602, 4.3\% of the sample), weight loss reached up to 22.3 kg (21.7\% of their starting body weight). Weekly platform use was positively associated with total weight loss (r=0.287; P<.001). Members who used the platform >30 times per week (approximately >4 times/d) were more likely to lose weight in the first 6 months of the program. Conclusions: This commercial weight loss program was shown to be effective, with 1 in 2 members achieving clinically significant results after 1 year. Greater engagement with the platform was associated with consecutive periods of weight loss and greater weight loss success overall. ", doi="10.2196/65122", url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e65122" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/58912, author="Rubio, Claudio and Besoain, Felipe", title="Pervasive Games for Sexual Health Promotion: Scoping Literature Review", journal="JMIR Serious Games", year="2025", month="Jan", day="15", volume="13", pages="e58912", keywords="serious games", keywords="promotion", keywords="ubiquitous technologies", keywords="healthy behaviors", keywords="HIV", keywords="sexually transmitted infection", keywords="STI", keywords="scoping review", keywords="mobile phone", abstract="Background: Serious games play a fundamental role in promoting safe sexual behaviors. This medium has great potential for promoting healthy behaviors that prevent potential risk factors, such as sexually transmitted infections, and promote adherence to sexual health treatments, such as antiretroviral therapy. The ubiquity of mobile devices enhances access to such tools, increasing the effectiveness of video games as agents of change. Objective: In this scoping review, we aimed to (1) identify the extent to which pervasive games have been used in the field of sexual health, (2) determine the theories used in the design and evaluation of pervasive games for sexual health, (3) identify the methods used to evaluate pervasive games for sexual health, and (4) explore the reported benefits of using pervasive games for sexual health. Methods: Following the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) methodology, we conducted a comprehensive literature search in the Web of Science, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, and ACM databases for articles published between January 1, 2000, and August 4, 2024. Included articles were published in English between 2000 and 2024 and involved the design, implementation, or evaluation of a ubiquitous video game focused on promoting safe sexual behaviors, with qualitative and/or quantitative results based on theory-based techniques and ubiquitous technologies. Review articles, conference papers, or books without available data or quantitative or qualitative results were excluded. Results: We screened 521 of 612 articles (85.1\%) after removing duplicates. After the title and abstract review, 51 (9.8\%) articles were assessed for eligibility, and 30 (5.8\%) articles meeting the criteria were studied and evaluated in depth. The results suggested that the use of pervasive video games has a positive impact on promoting safe sexual behaviors. This is enhanced by the effectiveness of theory-based techniques and the use of mobile technologies as developmental factors that drive the gaming experience. The results indicated that this domain is a growing field that should not be ignored. Conclusions: The literature showed that pervasive video games have been effective in promoting safe sexual behaviors. Substantial growth has been seen in scientific community interest in researching this domain; nevertheless, there is still much to work on. In this context, we advocate for the standardization of design, implementation, and experimentation as essential phases in creating video game experiences. These 3 fundamental aspects are critical in the development of video game--based studies to ensure the reproducibility of experiments. ", doi="10.2196/58912", url="https://games.jmir.org/2025/1/e58912" } @Article{info:doi/10.2196/58460, author="Leung, May May and Mateo, F. Katrina and Dublin, Marlo and Harrison, Laura and Verdaguer, Sandra and Wyka, Katarzyna", title="Testing a Web-Based Interactive Comic Tool to Decrease Obesity Risk Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Preadolescents: Randomized Controlled Trial", journal="JMIR Form Res", year="2025", month="Jan", day="15", volume="9", pages="e58460", keywords="childhood obesity", keywords="preadolescents", keywords="racial and ethnic minority populations", keywords="dietary behaviors", keywords="BMI", keywords="digital health", abstract="Background: Childhood obesity prevalence remains high, especially in racial and ethnic minority populations with low incomes. This epidemic is attributed to various dietary behaviors, including increased consumption of energy-dense foods and sugary beverages and decreased intake of fruits and vegetables. Interactive, technology-based approaches are emerging as promising tools to support health behavior changes. Objective: This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of Intervention INC (Interactive Nutrition Comics for Urban, Minority Preadolescents), a 6-chapter web-based interactive nutrition comic tool. Its preliminary effectiveness on diet-related psychosocial variables and behaviors was also explored. Methods: A total of 89 Black or African American and Hispanic preadolescents with a mean age of 10.4 (SD 1.0) years from New York City participated in a pilot 2-group randomized study, comprising a 6-week intervention and a 3-month follow-up (T4) period. Of the 89 participants, 61\% were female, 62\% were Black, 42\% were Hispanic, 53\% were overweight or obese, and 34\% had an annual household income of