The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not circuit training at home affects the calcaneus quantitative ultrasound status as well as other indices of body composition among undergraduate female students. Forty-one adolescents were recruited (18.5 ± 0.6 years old). The stiffness index of the calcaneus, broadband ultrasound attenuation of the calcaneus, speed of sound of the calcaneus, and body frame index. This was a three-month intervention study, so the measurements were conducted at baseline, 2 months later, and 3 months later while the subjects underwent circuit training at home. The subjects were divided into two groups: namely, the exercising group and non-exercising group. In the exercising group, broadband ultrasound attenuation of the calcaneus was higher 2 months later (p = 0.033) as well as 3 months later (p = 0.036), and the speed of sound of the calcaneus was higher 3 months later (p = 0.018). In addition, the muscle mass was strongly positively correlated with the calcaneus QUS-SOS (p = 0.004), while the body fat percentage was a strongly negatively correlated with the calcaneus QUS-BUA (p = 0.043). In the non-exercising group, the stiffness index of the calcaneus was higher 2 months later (p = 0.002) as well as 3 months later (p = 0.002). Furthermore, the body percentage was strongly positively correlated with the calcaneus QUS-SI (p = 0.009). These findings suggest that the calcaneus quantitative ultrasound status and muscle mass while losing fat mass may be improved by means of a simple exercise regimen within a short period among undergraduate female students.

Comprehensive homecare assessment has been determined to be essential in the context of care management for community-dwelling older adults. However, the effectiveness of assessment tools for adherence and health outcomes is yet to be fully elucidated. Thus, in this systematic review, we aim to evaluate the effects of comprehensive homecare assessment tools on adherence and other health outcomes among community-dwelling older adults. Database searches were performed using CINAHL Plus with full text, PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and Ichushi. Randomized controlled trials search were conducted until September 2020. Studies comparing interventions using comprehensive homecare assessment tools were assessed using the Cochrane's risk of bias 2 for quality; in randomized trials, a meta-analysis was performed. Nine articles, including eight studies, were included in this review. All interventions involved comprehensive homecare assessment tools such as CGA, SEISAR, RAI-HC, TARGET combined with interRAI-HC, MDS-HC, and the Omaha system. As per the results of the meta-analysis, no difference was observed with regard to adherence (p =.11), hospital admission (p =.29), nursing home admission (p =.70), and mortality (p =.96) compared with the non-use of the assessment tools. The mental quality of life showed a significant effect in the comprehensive assessment group (standardized mean difference = 0.26; 95% confidence interval = 0.06 to 0.46; p =.01); however, certainty of the evidence (GRADE) was assessed to be moderate. Comprehensive homecare assessment tools may be particularly useful for enhancing the psychological quality of life beyond a comprehensive assessment. This review presents insufficient evidence to support adherence to homecare and the enhancement of other health outcomes for community-dwelling older adults.

This study aimed to characterize the relationship between the ratio of the length of the second and fourth fingers (2D:4D value) and the speed of sound of the calcaneus by quantitative ultrasound (QUS-SOS) in undergraduate female students. We recruited 138 young women with a mean age of 19.6 ± 1.4 years. The participants’ calcaneus QUS-SOS was measured using an ultrasound bone densitometer. We also measured the participants’ weight, height, and grip strength. A self-reported questionnaire was used to obtain information on participants’ secondary sexual characteristics, and exercise habits. The present study showed that the 2D:4D value of both hands was significantly correlated with the calcaneus QUS-SOS. The 2D:4D value of the left hand was also positively associated with the calcaneus QUS-SOS results in several respects. These findings suggest that the 2D:4D value may be useful for the screening of risk for a low bone quality in undergraduate female students.

This study was conducted to evaluate the following factors: (a) whether baby massage has a stress-reducing effect on mothers, (b) whether baby massage positively affects babies' body mechanisms, and (c) whether mothers can form friendships after massage sessions when given the opportunity to communicate with other mothers. This one-month intervention study enrolled 24 mothers and babies (14 face-to-face sessions and 10 Zoom sessions). We conducted weekly sessions regularly for one-month in each group. Data were collected using the coping scale, maternal consciousness scale, and parenting stress scale. The maternal negative consciousness score was significantly lower at two and three weeks from baseline (p=.042) whereas the maternal positive consciousness score was significantly higher at three weeks from baseline (p=.026) in the "Zoom" group. The number of daily bowel movements among infants had significantly changed by the end of the one-month session in both the "face-to-face" group (p=.01) and the "Zoom" group (p=.039). We suggest the use of remote video as a new method for supporting mothers and babies. We found that baby massage improved maternal understanding and ameliorated maternal stress. This also constitutes a way to support mothers and babies under restricted conditions.