Press Releases

Source: Burst Copyright: Thought Catalog URL: https://burst.shopify.com/photos/person-using-laptop?q=laptop License: Licensed by JMIR Dr Alejandra Casillas was first struck by the rise of digital health in 2016, when she returned to the United States from a 4-year stint working in Europe. Casillas, now an assistant professor of medicine in the division of general internal medicine and health services research at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, has had a longtime interest in health disparities, with a particular focus on health communications among underserved and limited English proficient communities. Following her service as chief medical resident at UCSF Medical Center and as a Robert Wood JohnsonRead More →

Source: Justina Sharp – Instagram. Copyright: Justina Sharp. URL: https://www.instagram.com/p/B_nJTichX8l/ Licensed by the authors. Study indicates that Nod use buffered the most at-risk students from experiencing loneliness and depression during the first month of college San Francisco (October 20, 2020) – Hopelab and Grit Digital Health announced today new data about the effectiveness of Nod, an app that tackles the pervasive and growing problem of loneliness in college students. Designed to support college students’ well-being, Nod uses evidence-based principles of positive psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindful self-compassion to engage students in meaningful activities that boost their skills to build social connections. TheRead More →

Source: Flickr Copyright: Jamie Henderson URL: https://tinyurl.com/y222llh7 License: CC-BY-NC-ND Traditional media and government are leading sources of information, but trust in government has declined. Gender, age, education level, and political affiliation predict where people turn for information about COVID-19—and what sources they use and trust is linked to differing beliefs about the pandemic, according to a new study by NYU School of Global Public Health researchers. The findings—drawn from surveys of more than 11,000 US adults during the first few months of the pandemic—are published in JMIR Public Health Surveillance. “Our study is one of the first data-driven efforts to not only think about whatRead More →

Source: Shutterstock Copyright: Camila R P URL: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/dramatic-portrait-concept-anxiety-fear-intense-428366179 License: Licensed by the authors Research reveals potential for UK digital innovation to improve patients’ recovery     Academics at Coventry University have been involved in a nationally funded study, led by Nottingham Trent University, to explore the potential for ‘smart spectacles’ – glasses with sensors in the frame – to help the recovery of patients with facial palsy.   Facial palsy is estimated to affect 1 in 60 people over the course of their lifetime, with 30 per cent of patients suffering long-term facial disfigurement, facial pain, and sometimes involuntary movements.   As part of the study,Read More →

Image Source: Ki Han at Carrot Inc. Copyright: Carrot Inc. URL: https://www.jmir.org/2020/9/e22811 License: Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) In a study of 234 participants, use of the Pivot personal Carbon Monoxide Breath Sensor resulted in a significant increase in motivation to quit, increase in quit attempts, and reduction in cigarette consumption. REDWOOD CITY, CA, October 02, 2020 – The Pivot Breath Sensor was evaluated in a clinical trial involving 234 people who smoke cigarettes to determine its effects on smoking behavior and attitudes.1 During this 3-month study, participants demonstrated increased motivation to quit, favorable quit attempt rates, and reduced cigarettes per day—all of which significantly increaseRead More →

New research in the peer-reviewed Journal of Medical Internet Research underscores the efficacy of virtual therapy. San Francisco, August 26, 2020 — New research published today in the Journal of Medical Internet Research shows clinically meaningful improvements in depression and anxiety for patients participating in Vida Health’s virtual therapy program. The study, Digital Cognitive Behavior Therapy Intervention for Depression and Anxiety: Retrospective Study, examined the effectiveness of Vida’s app-based, therapist-driven Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) program in improving symptoms of depression and anxiety. The study found that after only three months of participation in Vida’s program, patients had an average depression reduction of 34%; at sixRead More →

Source: the authors Copyright: the authors URL: https://medinform.jmir.org/2020/7/e15880 License: Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY). By Kevin Manne. Originally published by the University at Buffalo’s School of Management. BUFFALO, N.Y. — The health care leaders of tomorrow are willing to violate privacy laws—for a price, according to new research from the University at Buffalo School of Management. Recently published in JMIR Medical Informatics, the study found that when people feel there’s a good chance they could get caught, they’re less likely to violate HIPAA—the federal law restricting the release of medical information. But when medical treatment for their friend or family member is on the line, mostRead More →

Web-based testing supports patients in engaging with research from the comfort of their own homes—fostering an environment for inclusive and representative research—but are the results robust? New research, published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, makes the case for CANTAB cognitive assessments. Traditionally, scientists assess cognition using thorough, but infrequent, assessments in the laboratory or clinic. In efforts to curb coronavirus disease (COVID-19) transmission rates, most researchers have postponed this form of face-to-face assessment and are actively seeking remote alternatives. With the ubiquity of electronic devices and fast-paced internet connections, web-based testing is a compelling option. However, before departing from the tightly controlled laboratoryRead More →

Source: Unsplash; Copyright: David Clode; URL: https://unsplash.com/photos/qdwy0I2Icuw; License: licensed by JMIR.   A study led by Wayne Buente, an associate professor of communication in the College of Social Sciences (CSS) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, analyzed the ways that people from Guam and the Marianas depict betel nut, also known as the areca nut, on the photo-sharing site Instagram. The study determined that people of the Marianas use Instagram to convey their offline practices of areca nut culture. The study was published in the July issue of the Journal of Medical Internet Research, the leading peer-reviewed journal for digital medicine, health, and healthRead More →