AI-Enhanced Conversational Agents for Personalized Asthma Support in People With Asthma: Factors for Engagement, Value, and Efficacy in a Cross-Sectional Survey Study
JMIR Hum Factors. 2026 Mar 11;13:e80979. doi: 10.2196/80979. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Asthma-related deaths in the United Kingdom are the highest in Europe, and only 30% of patients access basic care. There is a need for alternative approaches to reaching people with asthma to provide health education, self-management support, and better bridges to care. OBJECTIVE: This study […]
Associations of Problematic Smartphone Use and Smartphone Screen Time With Eating Disorder Psychopathology in Non-Clinical Samples: A Systematic Review
JMIR Ment Health. 2026 Mar 9;13:e88572. doi: 10.2196/88572. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The ubiquitous use of smartphones has given rise to maladaptive patterns of use, often termed “problematic smartphone use” (PSU), which disproportionately impacts children and young people and is associated with poor mental health. Emerging evidence suggests that patterns of smartphone use (eg, PSU and high […]
Using Semiautomated WhatsApp Messages for Daily Stress Measurements: Integrated Usability and Feasibility Study
JMIR Form Res. 2026 Mar 11;10:e84032. doi: 10.2196/84032. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Stress is a key determinant of health outcomes and may influence work performance. Questionnaire-based assessments of stress are typically broad and retrospective. Daily stress measurements via smartphones offer more granular, real-time data but have adherence issues. Using an already established communication medium (WhatsApp) and a […]
Investigation of a Mobile, Digital Application to Objectively Assess Cognitive Function in Cancer Survivors
Oncol Nurs Forum. 2026 Feb 25;53(2):1-18. doi: 10.1188/26.ONF.e26535275. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate feasibility of the MindCap mobile, digital application for objective and repeated assessment of cognitive function in cancer survivors and assess its sensitivity to cognitive improvement. SAMPLE & SETTING: 57 adults with stage I-III solid tumors or lymphoma who reported cognitive issues six months […]
CDS License Requirements: Key Differences for PAs vs Physicians
Controlled substance prescribing in the United States is strictly regulated. Healthcare professionals who prescribe medications like opioids, stimulants, and certain sedatives must obtain specific authorization before doing so. One common area of confusion involves the CDS license, physician assistants (PAs) vs physician requirements. While both physicians and PAs can prescribe controlled substances, licensing pathways, documentation, […]
How Exercise Activates the Brain: The Role of BDNF in the Prefrontal Cortex
Regular physical activity is widely recognized for its positive effects on brain health and cognitive performance. One biological mechanism believed to contribute to these benefits involves a protein known as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This protein helps to grow, survive, and to maintain the working of the neurons in the brain. Studies have proposed that […]
The Hidden Health Risks of Negative Social Relationships
Biological aging results from the gradual accumulation of damage that reduces physiological function and increases susceptibility to disease. Even among individuals of the same chronological age, the rate of biological aging can vary considerably due to environmental, genetic, and social influences. Advances in epigenetic biomarkers like DNA methylation-based clocks enable measurement of biological aging and […]
Small Dose, Big Hope: Lithium Studied for Preventing Cognitive Decline
Lithium deficiency may result from its sequestration within amyloid plaques, which could contribute to the neurodegeneration observed in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Evidence from epidemiological, clinical, animal, and cellular studies suggests that lithium may serve as a protective agent against dementia. A 2015 systematic literature review and meta-analysis of three randomized controlled trials involving 232 patients with […]
What Helps Indigenous Communities Flourish? Insights from a Population-Based Study
Research on Indigenous health has traditionally focused on disease, health disparities, and social inequalities. However, a recent study titled A Closer Look at Flourishing Indigenous Peoples: Findings from a Population-Based Study takes a different approach by examining the factors that contribute to well-being and resilience among Indigenous adults. Rather than focusing solely on health problems, […]
Metadata in Smartphone-Based Cognitive Assessments: Current State and Emerging Evidence in Psychiatric Disorders
Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2026 Mar-Apr 01;34(2):85-94. doi: 10.1097/HRP.0000000000000453. Epub 2026 Mar 4. ABSTRACT Smartphone-based cognitive assessments have emerged as promising tools for frequent and ecologically valid monitoring of cognitive function in real-world settings. These tools enable continuous capture of cognitive and behavioral patterns, including intra-individual variability, practice-related improvement, and contextual influences. Repeated assessments offer a […]
