This study aimed to determine the effect of a forest healing anti-aging program on psychological, physiological, and physical health in older people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Twenty-two older people with MCI living in the city participated in a forest healing anti-aging program. Psychological indicators included the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Beck depression inventory (BDI), profile of mood states (POMS), World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument (WHOQOL), and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). Physiological indicators included vital signs, body composition, and blood analysis. Physical indicators included the senior fitness test (SFT), muscle strength, spatiotemporal parameter of gait, static balance, and dynamic balance. Psychological, physiological, and physical indicators were evaluated at first and second pre-measurement, post-measurement, and one-month follow-up. MMSE, BDI, POMS, WHOQOL, body composition, blood analysis, SFT, muscle strength, spatiotemporal parameter of gait, and dynamic balance were significantly different between pre- and post-measurement. Beck depression inventory, POMS, WHOQOL, PSQI, SFT, muscle strength (elbow flexor muscle, knee extensor muscle), spatiotemporal parameter of gait significantly improved continually until the one-month follow-up. In conclusion, the forest healing program had a positive effect on the psychological, physiological, and physical health of older people with MCI.

Smartphone-based accelerometers offer a cost-effective and portable alternative to traditional gait analysis systems, with high reliability in measuring key parameters such as walking speed, cadence, and distance. This study assessed their validity compared to the GAITRite system, a widely recognized gold-standard tool, using data from 30 healthy adults walking at 3 self-selected speeds: preferred, slow, and fast. The results demonstrated a high degree of agreement between the two systems, with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) ranging from 0.778 to 0.999. Although the findings emphasize the potential of smartphone accelerometers for clinical and real-world applications, certain limitations were noted, including participant homogeneity and minor discrepancies at extreme walking speeds. To address these limitations, incorporating data from additional sensors, such as gyroscopes and magnetometers, may enhance the accuracy and reliability of spatial parameter estimation. Overall, the findings support the use of smartphone accelerometers as a promising tool for advancing gait monitoring technologies, particularly in the contexts of telerehabilitation and mobility assessments.

Background and Objectives: Chronic low back pain is a widespread condition, particularly in older populations, contributing to physical, mental, and social burdens. Traditional treatments, such as medications and surgery, carry long-term risks, including dependency, side-effects, and complications from invasive procedures. Additionally, healthcare accessibility is limited due to high costs, long waiting times, and geographic disparities in healthcare services, particularly in rural areas. For these reasons, non-pharmacological approaches that address both physical and psychological aspects are increasingly recognized as effective. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a marine resource-based healing program in Taean, South Korea, in improving pain, physical function, and mental health in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain. Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled trial involved 46 participants with non-specific chronic low back pain (mean age, 68.7 ± 5.1 years), randomly allocated to either an experimental group (marine healing program) or a control group (core exercises). The experimental group participated in a 4-night, 5-day intervention comprising heated peat pack therapy, mindfulness meditation, core exercises, and local tourism. The control group performed core exercises without additional interventions. Key outcomes included pain, muscle properties, functional disability, lower extremity function, balance, gait, and depression. Results: The experimental group demonstrated significant reductions in resting pain (p < 0.001), improved pressure pain threshold at L3 (p < 0.001), decreased L3 muscle tone (p = 0.015), and improved functional disability scores (p < 0.001). Functional gains were observed in lower extremity function scores (p < 0.001), balance (sway area: p = 0.046), gait velocity (p < 0.001), and depression levels (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The marine healing program significantly improved pain, functional abilities, and mental well-being in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain, highlighting its potential as an integrative approach to chronic low back pain management. Further studies are recommended to explore long-term and generalized effects.

Background/Objectives: Backpacks are widely used for carrying loads; however, posteriorly positioned loads can shift the body’s center of mass, promote forward trunk and head compensation, and increase neck and shoulder muscle loading. This study examined the effects of a detachable lumbar support cushion at loads equivalent to 10%, 15%, and 20% of the body weight. Methods: Twenty-eight healthy adult men completed repeated-measures trials of backpacks without or with lumbar support cushions. The craniovertebral angle (CVA), forward trunk lean (FTL), pelvic tilt angle (PTA), upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid (SCM) tone, and stiffness were assessed. The trial registration was completed by the Clinical Research Information Service of the Republic of Korea (KCT0012211). Results: Most variables changed significantly as the load increased, with the largest changes occurring up to 15% and limited additional changes between 15% and 20%. The cushion did not significantly affect CVA or FTL but increased PTA and reduced SCM tone. Conclusions: A detachable lumbar support cushion may modify the PTA and was associated with lower SCM tone during backpack carriage.

Background/Objectives: After menopause, hormonal, age-related, and lifestyle factors may adversely affect physical functioning and psychological well-being. This study compared immediate changes in physical function, psychological health, and health-related quality of life following a five-day Combined Marine Treatment Program (CMTP) with those observed under a usual-routine control condition. Methods: A parallel-group randomized controlled trial was conducted with 62 postmenopausal women allocated equally to the CMTP and control groups. The CMTP included coastal walking, resistance exercises, mindfulness meditation, and visits to local natural attractions. Participants in the control group continued their customary daily activities. The co-primary outcomes were the Timed Up and Go test and the Short Form-36. Secondary outcomes were grip strength, pinch strength, static balance, the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Mixed repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to test whether temporal changes differed between groups. Trial registration was completed through the Clinical Research Information Service of the Republic of Korea (KCT0009741). Results: Changes over time differed significantly between groups for the Timed Up and Go test, grip strength, pinch strength, eyes-open sway area, eyes-closed sway area, eyes-closed sway velocity, and all self-reported outcomes. Post-intervention values differed significantly between groups for the Timed Up and Go test, pinch strength, both eyes-closed balance measures, and all self-reported outcomes. No adverse events were reported during the trial. Conclusions: Relative to the usual-routine condition, the five-day CMTP was associated with immediate changes in selected performance-based physical outcomes and broader changes across self-reported psychological and health-related quality-of-life outcomes. Brief multicomponent coastal health programs therefore warrant further study in postmenopausal women.