person in white long sleeve shirt holding black smartphone

Source: Unsplash Copyright: Kelli McClintock URL: https://unsplash.com/photos/person-in-white-long-sleeve-shirt-holding-black-smartphone-cr-Gh5A_9Nc License: Licensed by JMIR Unlike prior trials in more experimental settings, this study is the first peer-reviewed real-world evaluation of an autonomous generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) chatbot, Limbic Care, supporting scaled mental health care within an established care model in the National Health Service (NHS), demonstrating its effectiveness compared to non-GenAI treatment. SAN FRANCISCO, CA and LONDON, UK, March 10, 2025 – The first real-world study on the use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in mental health treatment within a live, multisite clinical setting has been published by JMIR Publications. The research found that patients receiving care augmented byRead More →

Person sitting on exercise ball stretching an exercise band between hands

Source: FreepikCopyright: DC StudioURL: https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/senior-woman-working-out-using-balance-bal…License: Licensed by JMIR Digital Program Reduces Fall Risk and Boosts Strength in Older Adults Study highlights the success of an online exercise program tailored for seniors Researchers at University of California San Diego have revealed promising results from a study evaluating the university’s Strong Foundations program, a digitally delivered fall prevention initiative for older adults. The findings, recently published in JMIR Aging, emphasize the program’s effectiveness in improving posture, balance, and strength—key factors in reducing fall risk. “This study showcases the potential of accessible, online exercise programs to significantly enhance physical function for older adults,” said Ryan Moran, MD, MPH,Read More →

Person looking at computer screen with graph

Source: Image provided by the authors Copyright: Helén Sjöland License: Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) A software robot has proved to be faster than doctors at detecting side effects during a drug treatment for cardiac arrhythmia, while also cutting unnecessarily frequent follow-up lab tests and controls, according to a study at the University of Gothenburg. The drug amiodarone, with the trade name Cordarone, helps the heart beat normally again when the rhythm is abnormal, such as in atrial fibrillation and tachycardia. The treatment requires regular blood tests due to potential side effects affecting thyroid and liver function, which with current practices is a completely manual process. A newRead More →

People unpacking food from boxes

  Source: Freepik Copyright: Freepik License: Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) New Study Using AI-Powered Analysis Identifies Combinations of Social Barriers Impacting Health Outcomes GALVESTON, Texas – Most doctors’ visits focus on reviewing medical information such as cholesterol levels and symptoms like a persistent cough to diagnose and treat health conditions. However, discussions rarely touch on nonmedical factors, such as whether a patient has reliable transportation to attend follow-up appointments. Missing critical appointments like radiation therapy to treat a lung tumor due to lack of transport could worsen health outcomes and complicate recovery.  A new study led by researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) and otherRead More →

Source: Image created by JMIR Publications/Authors Copyright: JMIR Publications License: Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) New study reveals the barriers and potential solutions in teaching virtual caring skills online, in hopes of improving learning within educational programs for caring professions. (Toronto, January 21, 2025) As virtual care increasingly continues to play a crucial role in health care, a new study by University of Calgary researchers explores how educators are teaching vital virtual care skills to the next generation of nurses, doctors, and social workers. The study, titled “Exploring Educators’ Perceptions and Experiences of Online Teaching to Foster Caring Profession Students’ Development of Virtual Caring Skills,” highlights theRead More →

Source: Image created by JMIR Publications/Authors Copyright: JMIR Publications License: Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) Open-world games provide stress relief and relaxation to postgraduate students, new study finds (Toronto, December 18, 2024)   A study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research has found that open-world video games can significantly improve relaxation and mental well-being among postgraduate students. Open-world games, known for their expansive environments and player autonomy, offer a form of cognitive escapism that helps players disconnect from daily stressors and enhance their mood. The study, a collaboration between researchers from Imperial College London, United Kingdom, and the University of Graz, Austria, used a mixedRead More →

Source: Freepik Copyright: wavebreakmedia_micro License: Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) A landmark guideline in extended reality clinical research sets a new standard in reporting, ensuring transparency, safety, and quality. (Toronto, December 9, 2024) In a pivotal step toward improving research standards in health care technologies, the Journal of Medical Internet Research has published the RATE-XR guideline. This new tool aims to standardize reporting for early-phase clinical studies involving extended reality (XR) technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality. Developed through a robust, expert-driven process, RATE-XR addresses critical gaps in transparency, safety, and ethical reporting, ensuring XR applications meet the needs of patients and researchers alike. Led byRead More →

Integration of EDI within the lifecycle of AI. Source: Pixabay Copyright: geralt License: Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) Study in the Journal of Medical Internet Research introduces the EDAI framework to integrate equity, diversity, and inclusion in AI for health and oral health care. (Toronto, November 18, 2024) A recent study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research introduced the EDAI framework, a comprehensive guideline designed to embed equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) principles throughout the artificial intelligence (AI) lifecycle. Led by Dr Samira Abbasgholizadeh-Rahimi, PhD, the Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in AI and Advanced Digital Primary Health Care,  the research addresses a significant gapRead More →

child sitting in chair looking out window

Source: Unsplash Copyright: Anthony Tran License: Licensed by JMIR A new study demonstrates the effectiveness of a gamified app in easing depression symptoms by breaking negative thought patterns.   (Toronto, November 8, 2024) A new study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research by JMIR Publications reveals promising results from a digital health intervention that is based on a decade of research at Harvard Medical School and designed to alleviate depressive symptoms. The study, titled “Facilitating Thought Progression to Reduce Depressive Symptoms: Randomized Controlled Trial,” found that participants experienced substantial reduction of depressive symptoms by using a gamified mobile app focused on disrupting ruminative thinking. LedRead More →