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PubMed2026

Development and Validation of a Predictive Model for Identification of Cognitive Impairment Risk in Older Adults with Subjective Cognitive Decline：A Longitudinal Study.

BACKGROUND: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is a transitional state between objective cognitive impairment and cognitively intact mental status, providing a critical window for implementing preventive interventions to delay objective cognitive decline. AIMS: We aimed to develop a predictive model for SCD progression in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This model will facilitate the identification of risk factors and establishment of targeted interventions for community-based SCD management. METHODS: Data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) was utilized in this study, extracting 18 indicators. Potential predictors selected through univariate Cox regression and LASSO regression analyses were sequentially incorporated into a multivariable Cox regression model. A nomogram was constructed to establish a predictive model. Model validation encompassed Area Under Curve (AUC) metrics for discriminative capacity, complemented by quantitative assessments using calibration curve analysis for precision verification and decision curve analysis (DCA) for clinical utility evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 1099 older adults with SCD were included in the final analysis, of whom 114 (10.3%) developed MCI. Multivariable Cox regression identified residence, marital status, educational level, social participation, gait speed, and baseline cognitive function. The model demonstrated time-dependent AUC values of 0.885, 0.830, 0.839, and 0.836 in the training set when evaluating discriminative capacity at 2-, 4-, 7-, and 9-year, respectively. The predictive model showed excellent predictive ability according to AUC, calibration curve, and DCA. CONCLUSIONS: A predictive model was created to estimate the risk of developing MCI in older individuals with SCD, offering clinician-actionable intervention benchmarks for preventive care.

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PubMed2026

Ten years on, still out of reach: barriers to PrEP access and retention in France according to frontline actors (QualiPrEP Study).

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV has been available in France since 2014, and reimbursed since 2016, with general practitioners allowed to prescribe it since 2021. Despite these policy advances, uptake remains low among some of the most affected populations. This community-based qualitative study explored barriers to PrEP access and retention ten years into its implementation.Interviews were conducted with 28 PrEP frontline actors (healthcare professionals and community-based workers involved in promoting, prescribing, or supporting PrEP). The sample included one group discussion (n = 5), two triads (n = 6), two dyads (n = 4), and nine individual interviews (n = 13). Thematic analysis was inductive, with barriers classified across four main domains.Participants were mostly cisgender men, median age 48, born in France and abroad, and employed by NGOs in Paris. Thirteen barriers and four major themes emerged: (1) Internal psychosocial barriers: lack of knowledge, negative health-related reactions; HIV stigma; STI risk perception, taboos; (2) Internal pragmatic barriers: perceived limits of protection, usage and follow-up constraints; (3) External psychosocial barriers: limited physician knowledge and reluctance; (4) External pragmatic barriers: communication failures; structural constraints, lack of human and financial resources.Findings call for more targeted messaging, simplified care models and provider training. They highlight the need to address social and symbolic dimensions of PrEP, with insights from those supporting users to ensure more equitable implementation.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Culturally adapted post-diagnostic dementia support for South Asian people living with dementia and caregivers: a rapid review.

BACKGROUND: The number of minority ethnic people living with dementia (PLWD) in the UK is predicted to rise to 50 000 by 2026 and 172 000 by 2051. As the global population ages, there is a greater need to develop culturally appropriate post-diagnostic support for PLWD from minority ethnic backgrounds. METHODS: A rapid review was conducted of culturally adapted post-diagnostic dementia support for South Asian people with dementia and carers. Eight electronic databases were searched from inception until 16 September 2025. Databases included Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Excerpta Medica Database, MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Psychological Information, Turning Research Into Practice, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Social Policy and Practice and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Two reviewers independently screened the studies. Consistent with rapid review methods, no formal quality assessment of included studies was undertaken. The rapid review adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines. RESULTS: Twelve studies were included. These included seven carer support programmes focusing on raising awareness and education on dementia and care. These interventions increased carers' knowledge of dementia and confidence in caregiving. Four studies reported on psychosocial interventions: Cognitive Stimulation Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Meditation Therapy, demonstrating benefits for caregiver burden and mental health. One study reported on service-level innovations through a South Asian link nurse, which improved access to services and facilitated the development of culturally appropriate information materials. CONCLUSION: The findings of this rapid review demonstrate the feasibility and perceived value of culturally sensitive psychoeducation, carer training and psychosocial interventions. However, research remains small-scale, methodologically limited, with little focus given to interventions directly supporting PLWD.

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PubMed2026

Urinary Small Extracellular Vesicle DNA as a Biomarker for the Non-Invasive Diagnosis of Bladder Cancer.

Existing diagnostic technologies for bladder cancer (BC) suffer from low sensitivity, low specificity, or a lack of validation. Therefore, validated, non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity for early detection of BC are needed to complement and improve upon the limitations of existing diagnostic methods. We used low-pass whole genome sequencing (LP-WGS) technology to detect copy number variations (CNVs) in small extracellular vesicle (sEV) DNA isolated from urine samples of patients. Based on these results, we constructed and validated a diagnostic model to differentiate between benign and malignant bladder lesions. We conducted a receiver operating characteristic analysis and calculated the area under the curve (AUC) to evaluate the performance of the diagnostic model. The urine sEV-DNA LP-WGS data revealed CNV differences between benign and malignant samples. The diagnostic model achieved an AUC of 0.953, a sensitivity of 86.7%, and a specificity of 100% in the training cohort and an AUC of 0.985, a sensitivity of 90%, and a specificity of 100% in the validation cohort. Even at the lowest coverage depth of 0.01X, the performance of the diagnostic model remained relatively robust. Notably, the performance of this diagnostic model surpassed that of the biomarker neuron-specific enolase (sensitivity: 85.7% vs. 64.3%; specificity: 100% vs. 87.5%) and urinary cytology (sensitivity: 100% vs. 66.7%; specificity: 100% vs. 94.1%). Our study demonstrates that urine sEV-DNA exhibits high discriminatory power in distinguishing between benign and malignant bladder lesions, making it a promising tool for auxiliary diagnosis of BC.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

A multi-scale fusion model based on multi-phase contrast-enhanced CT for predicting pancreatic cancer resectability.

Purpose.Develop a multi-scale fusion model (MSFM) based on multi-phase contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) to predict pancreatic cancer (PC) resectability, thereby assisting expert decision-making.Methods.This retrospective study enrolled 280 patients with PC from four institutions, which were randomly divided into a training cohort (202 patients) and an independent test cohort (78 patients). Three-phase CECT images (arterial, venous, and delayed phases) were used for modeling. The MSFM comprises two sub-networks: (1) a multi-phase fusion network for extracting cross-phase shared fusion features, (2) a phase-specific branch network for capturing phase-specific features; and a post-fusion strategy to generate the final predictive score by integrating the shared fusion features and three groups of phase-specific features. Additionally, a human-machine fusion deep learning model (HMfDL) was constructed by fusing the predictive score of the MSFM with expert assessments.Results.In the independent test, the MSFM achieved an AUC (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve) of 0.8385 (95% CI: 0.7521-0.9249), accuracy of 84.62%, sensitivity of 72.00%, and specificity of 90.57%. This performance outperformed single-phase models (AUC range: 0.7638-0.7781), two-phase models (AUC range: 0.7826-0.7864), and ten states-of-the-art classifiers (AUC range: 0.7404-0.7796). The HMfDL further improved the performance, reaching an AUC of 0.8626 (95% CI: 0.7853-0.9400), accuracy of 91.03%, sensitivity of 80.00%, and specificity of 96.23%. Notably, the HMfDL corrected 58.82% of misdiagnosis made by experts.Conclusions. The MSFM effectively fuses multi-phase CECT to enable highly accurate predictions of PC resectability, and provides valuable support for expert decision-making through HMfDL.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

A hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial to integrate precision skin cancer risk feedback in federally qualified health centers.

BACKGROUND: Skin cancers are the most common type of cancer in the United States, occur in all segments of the population, and are preventable. Our previous research with primary care patients' demonstrated interest in and efficacy of a precision prevention intervention providing feedback on MC1R risk level (higher versus average) in combination with prevention education materials relative to a standard educational intervention. Our current study is a hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation trial deployed at six federally-qualified health centers. This paper presents the study protocol. METHODS: A community advisory panel will guide development of study materials and measures. Staff training at each clinic will be completed in-person. Patients will be approached and screened in-person. Those completing genetic testing and the baseline survey will be randomized to the precision versus standard intervention for each risk level with a target sample size of 286 for each combination. Primary outcomes of effectiveness, assessed at 6 and 12 months, include a tanning score (5 items assessing intentional and unintentional tanning), number of sunburns, conduct of a skin self-examination, and electronic health record documentation of clinician-patient communication about skin cancer prevention. Effectiveness comparisons will focus on the precision relative to the standard intervention among higher risk participants. Implementation data will be collected to identify barriers and facilitators. RESULTS: Effectiveness and implementation outcomes will be evaluated following study completion. CONCLUSIONS: Results will guide subsequent scale-up of the precision intervention, including modifications of the intervention as well as methods for implementation. CLINICAL TRIALS IDENTIFIER: NCT07222995.

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PubMed2025

Improving Community-Based Care for Adolescents with ADHD: a Randomized Controlled Trial of Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Fidelity Supports.

Cognitive-behavioral treatments (CBTs) for adolescents with ADHD demonstrate promise of long-term effects on outcome. However, their implementation in routine care community clinics faces barriers that impact quantity, efficiency, and quality of delivery, as well as client outcomes. This study is a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the impact of an AI-assisted service delivery model on therapist implementation of Supporting Teens' Autonomy Daily (STAND), a CBT blended with Motivational Interviewing (MI) for adolescents with ADHD. Adolescents with ADHD (N = 51), who were clients at three community mental health agencies, received treatment from 23 therapists. There was randomization of adolescents and therapists to AI-assisted or standard implementation supports. In addition to standard supports (i.e., training, standard facilitation resources, technical assistance, case supervision), AI-assisted support package included digitized facilitation resources housed in a clinical dashboard (Care4), feedback on content fidelity, and AI-generated feedback on MI implementation quality. The AI-assisted group was associated with more efficient treatment delivery and lower number of appointments attended by the adolescent. There was also a significant decrement in MI quality over time in the AI-assisted group compared to the standard support group. Feedback in focus groups indicated that therapists perceived a task-oriented mindset to be associated with receipt of the AI-assisted support package, leading therapists to prioritize efficiency over relational aspects of therapy. Following the results of this trial, a future, larger RCT should examine the impact of the AI-assisted implementation model on mental health outcomes and cost savings to organizations, third party payers, and clients. Trial registration number: NCT05135065; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Registered September 2021.

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PubMed2026

Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Using a Smart Ring and Telephone Counselling: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Home-based cardiac rehabilitation (HB-CR) is a promising alternative to center-based cardiac rehabilitation as it can address several barriers impeding CR implementation because of its enhanced accessibility. However, to date, HB-CR has not garnered adequate attention due to a lack of communication between patients and medical staff. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of HB-CR by monitoring the pulse rate (PR) using a smart ring equipped with photoplethysmography. METHODS: Patients with cardiovascular disease were educated on structured HB-CR methods following a symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), and were instructed to wear the device during the exercise session. The recorded PR was uploaded to a website via a smartphone and monitored by medical staff. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: intervention or control group. The intervention group received weekly telephone counselling and was encouraged to maintain optimal levels of physical activity. In contrast, the control group only recorded their exercise data without additional interventions. After 3 months of training, the CPET was performed. RESULTS: Among the 64 randomized patients (32 in each group), an intention-to-treat analysis showed that peak oxygen consumption increased over time in both the groups, with a significantly greater improvement in the intervention group. The group-by-time interaction for peak oxygen consumption was statistically significant (estimated mean difference, 2.0 mL/kg/min; 95% confidence interval, 0.7-3.3; P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: HB-CR using a smart device was effective in improving oxygen consumption. However, appropriate monitoring and timely counselling by medical professionals are important for improved outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0005893.

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PubMed2026

The impact of routine traffic encounters that include procedural justice on police perceptions.

OBJECTIVES: Despite procedural justice in police-citizen interactions being widely studied, there is limited research regarding police perceptions of these interactions. This study addresses this by exploring police perceptions of two different types of random breath test (RBT) - standard and procedurally just - in an experimental trial. Officers were asked to report on whether they believe that their RBT interaction with drivers and riders changed behaviour, developed more positive perceptions of police and resulted in slower travel. Additionally, they were asked if they thought that the RBT interaction took too long. METHODS: This study was a six month randomised control trial with two operational conditions: a control condition with a standard (n = 18 days) and an experimental condition with a procedurally just (n = 17 days) RBT. Police officers completed post-operation surveys (n = 80). RESULTS: Police officers incorporating the principles of procedural justice into RBT had limited impact on officer perceptions. However, those officers who were more open to innovation believed that the interaction would result in more positive perceptions of police. Police officers who believed that their RBTs with motorcycle riders would make a difference perceived that the riders would both change their behaviour and travel more slowly after the interaction. There were no differences in perceived interaction length by police officers across both conditions. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown that police officer openness to innovation has an important role to play in police officers having more positive perceptions regarding the outcomes of RBT interactions. As such police organisations should undertake activities, such as training, to improve innovation. The lack of perceived differences in RBT length between standard and procedurally just interactions suggests that these enhanced interactions can be implemented without concerns that police officers believe that they 'take too long'.

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PubMed2026

Improving Sleep and PTSD Outcomes in Service Members: A Randomized Controlled Trial Examining the Long-Term Effects of an Integrated Treatment.

Trauma-induced sleep disturbances often persist after successful posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment. While integrated protocols combining sleep and exposure-based treatments may maximize outcomes, prior studies are limited and have largely relied on subjective sleep measures or failed to include long-term follow up assessments. Active-duty service members with PTSD (n = 82) were randomly assigned to Compressed Prolonged Exposure (CPE) treatment or Trauma Management Therapy (TMT), which integrates exposure therapy with sleep hygiene training and other skills-based interventions. PTSD symptoms and actigraphy-based sleep were measured at baseline, posttreatment, 3- and 6-month follow-up and data were compared between groups and across time. Posttreatment, both groups showed negligible to small changes in sleep compared to baseline. However, the TMT group evidenced improvements in most sleep parameters by the 3- and 6-month follow-ups, while sleep health generally worsened in the CPE group over time. Between groups, those randomized to TMT exhibited better sleep efficiency (g = 0.24) and onset latency (g = -0.34) at 3-month follow-up, and better sleep quality (g = 0.70), efficiency (g = 0.51), and wake after sleep onset (g = -0.52) at 6-month follow-up. Within both treatment groups, poorer sleep at the 6-month follow-up was correlated with greater PTSD symptom severity measured at the same time point. Integrated treatment for sleep and PTSD produced superior objective sleep outcomes compared to exposure alone, with the most meaningful improvements in sleep observed 6 months after treatment completion. Several critical directions for future studies are discussed.

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PubMed2026

Implementing Prolonged Exposure Therapy in a Community Substance Use Treatment Program: A Qualitative Study.

INTRODUCTION: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) commonly co-occurs with substance use disorders (SUD), yet few community-based SUD programs incorporate evidence-based trauma-focused. Prolonged exposure (PE), including its massed format (M-PE) with session frequency of 3-4 times per week, is a gold standard intervention for PTSD; however, concerns about client readiness, logistical demands and relapse risk have limited its adoption within SUD settings. This study examined staff perspectives on the feasibility and acceptability of integrating M-PE into a community-based SUD program. METHODS: Prior to launching a Hybrid Type 1 effectiveness-implementation trial (Project COMET), we conducted semi-structured virtual interviews with 15 community clinic staff: providers (n = 8), administrators (n = 2) and peer specialists (n = 5). Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using a rapid qualitative analysis framework with matrix techniques to compare themes across roles. RESULTS: Four overarching themes captured staff perspectives on integrating M-PE: (Theme 1) Prior Knowledge and Experiences: Most staff were familiar with EMDR, while direct knowledge of PE/M-PE was limited. (Theme 2) Perceptions of M-PE: M-PE was widely viewed as a promising, structured intervention that fits the pacing and duration of SUD care. (Theme 3) Symptom Reduction and Client Impact: Staff anticipated improvements in PTSD and SUD symptoms through trauma-focused treatment. (Theme 4) Barriers and Constraints: Participants identified several potential implementation challenges, including logistical barriers and client readiness. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that staff generally viewed M-PE favourably but emphasised the importance of ensuring client readiness and organisational support. Enhancing feasibility and long-term sustainability may require expanded psychoeducation, targeted provider training and flexible delivery models. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06968832.

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PubMed2026

What do we know about medical invalidation and related concepts? - A scoping review and thematic analysis about the definitions, measurements, causes, consequences and potential solutions for medical invalidation.

BACKGROUND: Medical invalidation, medical gaslighting, and related constructs have gained visibility in public discourse but remain inconsistently defined in scientific literature. Despite growing research-often focused on specific diseases- to date, no single review has comprehensively synthesized their definitions, causes, consequences, or methods of measurement. This scoping review addresses this gap by examining medical invalidation and related constructs. METHODS: Using a preregistered protocol, we systematically searched PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and ProQuest (dissertations) without year restrictions. Eligible sources included peer-reviewed empirical, theoretical, and conceptual work in English addressing invalidation, gaslighting, or closely related notions within healthcare. A total of 158 studies were identified through database searches and citation tracking. Data extraction followed a standardized schema, and findings were synthesized descriptively and through thematic analysis to clarify terminology, map determinants and outcomes, and identify existing measurement approaches. RESULTS: The results showed substantial inconsistency in how "invalidation," "not being taken seriously," and "gaslighting" were defined. Medical invalidation emerged as a multifactorial phenomenon driven by diagnostic challenges, structural and societal factors, provider and patient characteristics, stigma, misattribution, interactional dynamics, academic knowledge gaps, and disease-related complexity. Invalidation was associated with wide-ranging behavioural, emotional, cognitive, physical, relational, and systemic harms, while validation had consistently beneficial effects. Proposed solutions in the summarized studies included communication improvements, clinician training, patient support, targeted research, and structural and systemic changes. DISCUSSIONS: Medical invalidation represents a complex, systemic issue with significant implications for patient safety. The discussion highlights its multifactorial origins, its potential to cause both psychological and physical harm, and the need for clearer conceptualisation within the field. Advancing research requires validated instruments and longitudinal designs to examine underlying mechanisms and consequences. Addressing medical invalidation will demand multi-level interventions to improve communication, reduce structural barriers, and promote equitable, patient-centred care. OSF PREREGISTRATION: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/MPE6U.

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PubMed2026

Protocol for project FIERCE: A randomized controlled trial to evaluate a positive emotion-focused meditation intervention for physicians with elevated stress.

INTRODUCTION: Nearly 80% of healthcare providers experience adverse psychological symptoms (e.g., depression, burnout, sleep disturbance) stemming from workplace stressors. Elevated levels of stress have been associated with unfavorable occupational, patient, and provider-related outcomes, imposing a heavy burden on a strained system. Given the impact of stress on both employee and patient health, effective interventions are urgently needed to reduce distress and promote well-being among healthcare professionals. Mindfulness-based interventions show promise for addressing these challenges. We developed a six-week, remotely delivered mindfulness intervention, the Building Emotional Strength Training (BEST) program, based on the Buddhist Four Immeasurables practice to cultivate the distinct emotional qualities of loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. The present study aims to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a Four Immeasurables-based mindfulness intervention on perceived stress (primary outcome), burnout, depressive symptoms, and inflammatory biomarkers, while enhancing psychological well-being and sleep quality (secondary outcomes) in physicians. We will also investigate potential mediators of intervention effects, including compassion, positive affect, equanimity, and mindfulness. METHOD: We will enroll 90 full-time physicians in a remote, two-arm randomized controlled trial with 1:1 allocation to either the meditation intervention or waitlist control. Participants will complete self-report questionnaires and provide blood samples at baseline, mid-course, and post-intervention to assess outcomes and mediators. DISCUSSION: The project aims to advance the study of mindfulness-based interventions that reduce distress and promote well-being through practices that cultivate prosocial and altruistic feelings toward oneself and others. While mindfulness interventions have gained considerable interest, none have specifically drawn from the Four Immeasurables practice to target loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. This novel investigation could expand our understanding of practices that foster kindness and compassion to reduce distress in an at-risk population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07283744, registered on 2025/10/14. The Open Science Framework, registered on 2026/06/26.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Analgesic effect of premixed nitrous oxide in postoperative rehabilitation for ankle fractures: a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: The global incidence of ankle fractures is on the rise, effective postoperative rehabilitation is a crucial aspect of surgical management. However, the occurrence of severe pain during the rehabilitation continues to pose a substantial clinical challenge. METHODS: The study utilizes a dual-arm, single-center, double-blind, randomized controlled trial design. A total of 100 participants were enrolled. Participants included patients experiencing acute pain (self-reported pain score ≥4) who underwent postoperative rehabilitation for ankle fractures. Participants undergoing rehabilitation training were randomized to receive either 65% nitrous oxide or 100% oxygen. The primary outcome measured was the pain score, while secondary outcomes encompassed anxiety scores, physiological indices, side effects, patient and therapist satisfaction, acceptance, and residual pain. RESULTS: Pain scores were found to be significantly lower in the nitrous oxide group than in the oxygen group (T1: median difference -3.0, [95% CI -3.4 to -2.6]; p < 0.001; T2: median difference -2.0, [95% CI -2.8 to -1.2]; p < 0.001). Compared with the oxygen group, both therapists (p < 0.001) and participants (p < 0.001) in the nitrous oxide group reported significantly higher satisfaction levels. Acceptance rate showed significant intergroup differences (p < 0.001). No severe adverse effects were observed in either group. Anxiety scores between the two groups did not show a significant difference (p = 0.31, η2 = 0.027). CONCLUSION: The safety and analgesic profile of nitrous oxide renders it a suitable option for pain management in postoperative ankle fractures rehabilitation, thus providing a safe and easily manageable alternative to the current available strategies. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: We have registered at https://www.chictr.org.cn and the registration number is: ChiCTR2400089379.

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PubMed2026

Use of wearable technologies for physical activity promotion in older adults: A systematic review.

This systematic review, conducted according to PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251055299), examined the use of wearable technologies for promoting physical activity (PA) in adults aged 60 years and older. Searches across five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane) identified 2438 records, of which only six randomized controlled trials published between 2021 and 2025 met inclusion criteria, with sample sizes ranging from 36 to 551 participants and mean ages between 65 and 79 years. Given the small number of included studies, findings should be interpreted as preliminary. The studies ranged from the standalone use of commercial trackers (Fitbit, Polar, ActiGraph) to multicomponent interventions combining wearables with physiotherapist feedback, telephone counseling, web-based platforms, or interactive cognitive-motor training. Wearables used alone, as in the REACT trial, produced small or non-significant PA effects. In contrast, interventions integrating devices with personalized feedback, professional support, or digital platforms, such as PROMOTE and TASMANIA, were associated with more consistent improvements in PA, physical function, and cognitive outcomes. Multicomponent programs, such as PEER and ICMT, reported broader benefits, including cognition, balance, and reductions in sedentary behavior, though these findings derive from individual trials and require replication. Risk of bias, assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool version 2 (RoB 2.0), was rated as "some concerns" for five studies and low for only one, mainly due to gaps in randomization reporting, missing data, and lack of preregistration. Tentatively, and based on a very limited evidence base, wearables may have greater impact when embedded within broader behavioral systems, incorporating feedback, coaching, or interactive components, rather than when used in isolation as passive monitoring tools. Adherence and psychosocial outcomes appeared related to comfort and perceived usefulness among older adults, though larger and more robust trials are needed to confirm these patterns.

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PubMed2026

Meta-PseU: A meta-classifier for robust prediction of RNA pseudouridine modification sites from long sequences.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pseudouridine (Ψ) represents one of the most abundant and conserved RNA modifications. Ψ provides an additional hydrogen-bond donor that enhances RNA structural stability and modulates translation. It participates in diverse biological processes, including RNA-protein interactions, splicing, translational control, and stress responses. Aberrant pseudouridylation is implicated in cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and autoimmune diseases. Despite its biological importance, experimental identification of Ψ sites remains time-consuming and costly, limiting the feasibility of transcriptome-wide profiling. Computational approaches have therefore become essential complements to experimental techniques. However, state-of-the-art machine-learning and deep-learning predictors often suffer from limited generalizability due to small training datasets. To overcome these issues, we aim at constructing new long-sequence datasets and developing a novel Ψ site predictor. METHODS: New long-sequence datasets were constructed as benchmarks for RNA Ψ-site prediction. The Ψ modification sites in RMBase 3.0 were mapped to the reference genomes across three species of human, mouse, and yeast, and the RNA sequences with a length of 201 were generated by extending the upstream and downstream from the mapped, central sites. To eliminate sequence redundancy, the sequences were clustered using CD-HIT with a 70% sequence identity threshold. We developed Meta-PseU, a logistic regression-based meta-classifier that considered 118 machine learning and deep learning classifiers. The datasets and programs are freely accessible at https://github.com/kuratahiroyuki/MetaPseU. RESULTS: By optimizing model configuration, we proposed the Meta-PseU model stacking 32 machine learning and deep learning classifiers out of 118 classifiers. Meta-PseU substantially improved model generalizability, overcoming a key limitation of existing approaches. It greatly outperformed state-of-the-art predictors and achieved increasing accuracy with increasing sequence length. CONCLUSIONS: Long-sequence datasets were newly constructed as benchmarks for RNA Ψ-site prediction. Meta-PseU offers a new framework for robust Ψ-site identification by using long sequences.

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PubMed2026

Characterizing Submental Neuromuscular Activity of Swallowing Rehabilitation: An Electromyographic Evaluation of Rehabilitative Maneuvers in Healthy Adults.

PURPOSE: The effortful swallow (ES), the Mendelsohn maneuver (MM), and isometric tongue presses (TPs) are widely used swallowing maneuvers/exercises to improve elements of swallowing, such as muscle strength and biomechanics. However, the underlying neuromuscular mechanisms of these exercises remain unclear, potentially limiting our ability to specify treatment targets and improve treatment efficacy. This study aimed to compare submental neuromuscular activation patterns during the ES, MM, TPs, and typical swallows in healthy young and older adults. METHOD: As part of a larger randomized crossover validation study, 60 healthy adults (30 young and 30 older) completed typical swallows and three maneuvers using a wearable submental surface electromyographic (sEMG) system (i-Phagia). Outcome variables included (a) normalized mean sEMG amplitude and (b) time to peak sEMG amplitude. Linear mixed models were used to examine effects of task, age, and sex on both outcomes. RESULTS: Normalized mean amplitude was significantly different across tasks. Post hoc pairwise comparisons confirmed that all three maneuvers produced higher normalized mean sEMG amplitude than typical swallows, with the ES eliciting the highest amplitude across age groups. Time to peak amplitude differed significantly across tasks, with typical swallows requiring the shortest time to reach peak amplitude, followed by the ES, MM, and TP. CONCLUSIONS: The ES required the highest neuromuscular effort with the shortest time to reach peak amplitude, suggesting its potential for targeting submental muscle power. Typical swallows required the least neuromuscular effort with the shortest time to reach peak amplitude, suggesting their potential for training submental muscle speed. The MM and TP may also improve submental muscle strength; however, given their temporal requirements (longer durations), they may be more beneficial for targeting coordination and endurance, though more research in this area is warranted. These findings underscore the importance of task-specific neuromuscular profiling to inform mechanism-based swallowing rehabilitation. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.32948549.

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PubMed2026

Effectiveness and usability of artificial intelligence-powered assistive technologies in Supporting daily activities of children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the main cause of motor disabilities in childhood, necessitating innovative approaches to rehabilitation and assistive technology (AT). Simultaneously, artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being integrated into devices to create more adaptive, personalized, and effective AT. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and usability of AI-powered assistive technologies designed to support daily activities and rehabilitation in children with CP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and IEEE Xplore, were systematically searched, and 23 articles were included in the final analysis. Articles were identified, selected, and categorized into emerging thematic areas based on the primary function and application of the technology. RESULTS: Five key thematic topics were identified: 1) AI-driven motor rehabilitation and gait training for functional mobility; 2) intelligent assessment and monitoring systems for clinical decision support; 3) AI-supported communication, social interaction, and intention recognition tools; 4) gamified and virtual reality-based interventions to enhance engagement and usability; and 5) smart assistive systems supporting daily living and independent mobility. The findings demonstrate a strong trend toward the application of AI technologies in personalized, engaging, and data-driven interventions for children with CP. However, the field is predominantly in the proof-of-concept stage, with limitations including small sample sizes, lack of long-term clinical validation, challenges in user-centered design, and usability for children with CP. CONCLUSION: AI-powered assistive technologies hold significant potential for transforming the care of children with CP by enabling highly personalized and engaging interventions. To actualize this potential, future work must realize that practical application remains challenging owing to limited clinical validation, technological integration, and usability barriers for children with CP. Future research must prioritize user-centered design and multidisciplinary collaboration to ensure that AI and robotic advancements improve the usability and quality of life for children with CP.

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