Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR)

03/31/2026

Fixed goals, self-chosen goals, or gradually increasing goals… which gets you moving the most? 🏃‍♀️💪

A new study from the University of Arizona, found it’s not about the type of goal, it’s about sticking with it! Participants stayed engaged, tracked their activity, and saw results.
The real secret? Coaching, accountability, and a system that actually works for you.

Read the full article in the link in our bio.

03/27/2026

Could dance-based exergames support cognitive and motor development in teens?

A recent pilot study coming from Switzerland, examined the effects of dance exergaming on mental rotation, general motor coordination, and math achievement in adolescent students. Participants completed five weekly 45-minute sessions using dance-based exergames, while a control group performed precision ball-throwing exergames.

Results showed that dance exergames improved mental rotation and specific math skills related to mental rotation, highlighting their potential to enhance cognitive abilities.

These findings suggest that integrating dance-based exergames into school programs could provide an engaging way to support learning and cognitive skill development in teens.

Click the link in our bio to read the full study.

03/25/2026

Can wearable technology help detect an overdose earlier?

In a new study published in JMIR Research Protocols, researchers based in Glasgow tested a small wearable device that monitors breathing in people at risk of drug-related respiratory depression.

The results showed the device was comfortable to wear and able to capture continuous breathing data. Early findings also suggest it performs similarly to standard hospital monitoring tools.

This points to a promising future where wearable technology could help identify dangerous changes sooner, support faster response, and reduce preventable overdose-related harm.

Click the link in our bio to read the full article.

03/24/2026

💡 AI + Wearables Could Detect Depression Early

A 2026 study in JMIR Mental Health found that AI models analyzing data from wearable devices, like heart rate, sleep patterns, and movement, can identify depression with very high accuracy.

These findings suggest that combining continuous physiological and behavioral data with machine learning could support early, objective detection of depression, potentially before clinical symptoms are noticed.

🧠 Could your smartwatch do more than track steps; could it track mental health too?

Click the link in our bio to read the full study.

03/23/2026

The connection between maternal well-being and infant sleep may be stronger than we think.

A new study in JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting by researchers based in Qatar explored whether postpartum maternal mental health could help predict infant sleep patterns during the first year of life. Using data from 409 mother–infant pairs, the team applied machine learning models to examine two key sleep outcomes: nighttime sleep duration and frequency of night awakenings.

The results showed that symptoms of postpartum depression, anxiety, and childbirth-related trauma were strong predictors of infant sleep difficulties.

These findings highlight how supporting maternal mental health may also improve infant sleep outcomes, while demonstrating how machine learning could help identify families who may benefit from earlier postpartum support.

📖 Read the full study at the link in our bio.

03/18/2026

Struggling to sleep? What if an AI chatbot could help?

A 2026 study in JMIR Formative Research by researchers from New York University and Columbia University explored whether a text-based AI sleep coach could improve sleep habits. Participants interacted with a chatbot that delivered personalized advice, reminders, and behavioral strategies, all through simple conversations on their phones.

The results showed the tool was easy to use, highly acceptable, and linked to improved sleep outcomes.

As digital health continues to evolve, tools like this could offer accessible, scalable support for people who may not have access to traditional care.

💬 Would you trust an AI chatbot to help you sleep better?

03/17/2026

What are the skin side effects of corticosteroid injections? 🔬
This clinical image shows cutaneous atrophy after a corticosteroid injection for wrist tendonitis, with visible skin thinning and discoloration.

While corticosteroid injections are widely used to treat musculoskeletal pain and inflammation, steroid-induced skin atrophy is an underrecognized adverse effect. It can sometimes be mistaken for conditions like linear morphea or vascular disorders, leading to misdiagnosis or unnecessary testing.

In this JMIR Dermatology case report, researchers from Marshfield Clinic (Wisconsin) describe two patients who developed cutaneous atrophy following orthopedic corticosteroid injections—highlighting the key role of dermatologists in recognizing and managing steroid-related skin changes.

💡 Awareness of these side effects can improve diagnosis and prevent unnecessary workups.

03/12/2026

Digital health meets fashion media❗️ We’re excited to see research from JMIR Publications featured in Marie Claire UK!

The study by Ruth Plackett, Jessica Sheringham & Jennifer Dykxhoorn from the University College London, examines how social media use affects adolescent mental health.

Article title: The Longitudinal Impact of Social Media Use on UK Adolescents' Mental Health: Longitudinal Observational Study

To explore the JMIR Research and Marie Claire UK article click the link in our bio.

03/12/2026

03/12/2026

Ever thought a video game could double as a workout?

A study in JMIR Serious Games was conducted in Malaysia and looked at tennis based exergaming: motion tracking games that get you moving while practicing real life tennis skills. The results? Exergaming can boost motor skills, keep you engaged, and make training more fun.

If you’re into digital health, game based research, or innovative ways to study movement, this one’s worth a read.

Click the link in our bio to read the full study.

03/10/2026

New case report in JMIR Dermatology: Chronic Facial Abscess Mimicking Cervicofacial Actinomyces From Dermal Filler Migration🧬

This case highlights the importance of considering prior cosmetic procedures when evaluating persistent facial abscesses.

A 56-year-old woman presented with a chronic, nonhealing draining abscess on her right cheek that persisted for nearly 3 years.

🔍 Image 1: Clinical photo showing the ulcerated cheek lesion with drainage and surrounding inflammation.
🔬 Image 2: Histopathology revealing dermal filler material and granulomatous inflammation, confirming a foreign body reaction from migrated filler.

📖 Read the full case report in the link in our bio

02/01/2026

: Warning: This is a unreviewed preprint. Readers are warned that the document has not been peer-reviewed by expert/patient reviewers or an academic editor, may contain misleading claims, and is likely to undergo changes before final publication, if accepted, or may have been....