JMIR research protocols
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JMIR research protocols · Oct 2018
Perioperative Optimization With Nutritional Supplements in Patients Undergoing Gastrointestinal Surgery for Cancer (PROGRESS): Protocol for a Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial.
Postoperative morbidity following gastrointestinal tract major surgery ranges between 40% and 60%. Malnutrition, poor protein intake, and surgery-related impairment of the immune system and its function have been associated with postoperative infections. Supplemental perioperative nutrition may improve nutrition by increasing protein intake to influence cell-mediated immunity, thereby reducing the rate of postoperative infectious complications. ⋯ The results will help to determine the feasibility of a larger randomized controlled trial to implement a perioperative nutritional supplement program for patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery for cancer.
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JMIR research protocols · Oct 2018
Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Knee Osteoarthritis Pain in Elderly Subjects With Defective Endogenous Pain-Inhibitory Systems: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) has been the main cause behind chronic pain and disabilities in the elderly population. The traditional treatment for knee OA pain currently concerns a number of combinations of pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies. However, such combinations have displayed little effects on a significant group of subjects. In addition to this, pharmacological treatments often cause adverse effects, which limits their use on this population. Previous studies showed that chronic knee OA pain may be associated with maladaptive compensatory plasticity in pain-related neural central circuits indexed by a defective descending pain-inhibitory system. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can revert some of these maladaptive changes, thus decreasing chronic pain sensation. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the use of anodal tDCS stimulation over the primary motor cortex (M1) has positive effects on chronic neuropathic pain. Yet, data on OA pain in elderly patients, including its effects on the endogenous pain-inhibitory system, remain limited. ⋯ This clinical trial will provide relevant data to evaluate if anodal tDCS stimulation over M1 can decrease chronic knee OA pain in elderly subjects with defective CPM. In addition, this trial will advance the investigation of the role of central sensitization in knee OA and evaluate how tDCS stimulation may affect it.
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JMIR research protocols · Oct 2018
Mind-Body Treatment for International English-Speaking Adults With Neurofibromatosis via Live Videoconferencing: Protocol for a Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.
Neurofibromatoses (NF) are rare genetic conditions associated with substantial psychosocial burden and impaired quality of life (QoL). We developed the first NF-tailored mind-body program (the Relaxation Response Resiliency Program for NF) and adapted it for delivery via live videoconferencing to decrease participation barriers and increase its reach. In a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT), we found that the Relaxation Response Resiliency Program for NF had excellent feasibility and acceptability when delivered via live videoconferencing; furthermore, the Relaxation Response Resiliency Program for NF showed proof of concept in improving QoL compared with an NF-tailored health education control program (the Health Enhancement Program for NF). A fully powered trial is needed to ascertain the efficacy and durability of the Relaxation Response Resiliency Program for NF delivered via secure live videoconferencing among geographically diverse patients. ⋯ This trial will answer key questions about the efficacy and durability of the Relaxation Response Resiliency Program for NF via live videoconferencing with English-speaking adults with NF worldwide. If found efficacious, this program can be readily implemented through national and international NF foundations and NF-specific clinics. The virtual model of delivery has extensive applications for patients in rural areas, those with disability or illness that precludes travel to clinics, and those with rare diseases.
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JMIR research protocols · Oct 2018
Gamified Cognitive Bias Interventions for Psychiatric Disorders: Protocol of a Systematic Review.
Cognitive bias modification has been increasingly studied in the past decade with reviews reporting the effectiveness of bias modification. Advances in electronic health and mobile health technologies have transformed how conventional cognitive bias modification is delivered. To date, gamification technologies and serious games have been widely evaluated in health care, and prior studies have reported the use of gamification for cognitive bias modification. However, no prior research, to date, has systematically evaluated the literature for gamified cognitive bias modification interventions. ⋯ RR1-10.2196/10154.