Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of increased daily walking steps on the 6-month incidence of neck pain among office workers. Methods: Healthy office workers with high risk of neck pain were recruited into a 6-month prospective cluster-randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomly assigned at the cluster level, into either intervention (n = 50) or control (n = 41) groups. Participants in the intervention group were instructed to increase their daily walking steps to a designated level for a duration of 6 months. Participants in the control group received no intervention. The outcome measures included the 6-month incidence of neck pain as well as its pain intensity and disability level. Analyses were performed using multivariable logistic regression model. Results: Of the participants in the intervention and control groups, 22% and 34% reported a 6-month incidence of neck pain, respectively. After adjusting for confounders, a significant preventive effect of walking intervention was found (adjusted odd ratio 0.22, 95% confidence interval 0.06-0.75). No significant difference in pain intensity and disability level was found between those in the intervention and control groups. Conclusion: An intervention to increase daily walking steps reduced onset neck pain in high-risk office workers. However, the walking interventions did not decrease pain intensity and disability in those increasing the number of daily walking steps compared to the control group.

Objectives: Falls are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among older adults, often resulting in severe injuries and a loss of independence. Dual-task training, which integrates cognitive and motor exercises, has emerged as a promising intervention for fall prevention. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a structured cognitive and motor dual-task training program on fall risk, balance, and cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults.Methods: Seventy-two participants aged 60 years or older were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (IG, n=36) or a control group (CG, n=36). The IG underwent 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks (totaling 24 sessions) that incorporated simultaneous cognitive and motor exercises, while the CG continued their usual total body stretching exercise. Assessments were conducted at baseline, week 4, and week 8, and included gait speed (10-meter walk test), functional performance (Timed Up and Go test), cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), and quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment).Results: Participants in the IG demonstrated significant improvements in functional performance (p<0.05) and enhanced cognitive function compared to the CG after both 4 weeks and 8 weeks of training. Functional performance and cognitive function significantly improved after 8 weeks of training (p<0.01). However, the intervention did not produce changes in gait speed or quality of life.Conclusions: Integrating cognitive and motor dual-task training into fall prevention programs may enhance functional stability and cognitive resilience in older adults. Future studies should investigate long-term adherence and determine the optimal training intensity.

Raksuda Taniguchi, Sulukkana Noiprasert, Wachiraporn Padungkiettiwong, Phitsanuruk Kanthawee, Kitiyawadee Srisim, Ekalak Sitthipornvorakul. J Pharmacopuncture 2025;28:211-8. https://doi.org/10.3831/KPI.2025.28.3.211