To investigate the alleviation effect of Vaccinium uliginosum extract (DA9301) on tablet computer-induced asthenopia. This was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind and parallel study (Trial registration number: 2013–95). A total 60 volunteers were randomized into DA9301 (n = 30) and control (n = 30) groups. The DA9301 group received DA9301 oral pill (1000 mg/day) for 4 weeks and the control group received placebo. Asthenopia was evaluated by administering a questionnaire containing 10 questions (responses were scored on a scales of 0–6; total score: 60) regarding ocular symptoms before (baseline) and 4 weeks after receiving pills (DA9301 or placebo). The participants completed the questionnaire before and after tablet computer (iPad Air, Apple Inc.) watching at each visit. The change in total asthenopia score (TAS) was calculated and compared between the groups TAS increased significantly after tablet computer watching at baseline in DA9301 group. (from 20.35 to 23.88; p = 0.031) However, after receiving DA9301 for 4 weeks, TAS remained stable after tablet computer watching. In the control group, TAS changes induced by tablet computer watching were not significant both at baseline and at 4 weeks after receiving placebo. Further analysis revealed the scores for “tired eyes” (p = 0.001), “sore/aching eyes” (p = 0.038), “irritated eyes” (p = 0.010), “watery eyes” (p = 0.005), “dry eyes” (p = 0.003), “eye strain” (p = 0.006), “blurred vision” (p = 0.034), and “visual discomfort” (p = 0.018) significantly improved in the DA9301 group. We found that oral intake of DA9301 (1000 mg/day for 4 weeks) was effective in alleviating asthenopia symptoms induced by tablet computer watching. The study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (registration number: NCT02641470, date of registration December 30, 2015).

Objectives: This study investigated whether lowering the home blood pressure (BP) threshold for the diagnosis of hypertension from 135/85 to 130/80 mmHg enhances diagnostic accuracy when assessed against ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). Methods: A total of 646 untreated participants (mean age 52 ± 10 years; 310 men) with valid 3-day office BP, 7-day home BP, and 24-h ABPM data and preserved renal function were included. Hypertension phenotypes were classified as normotension, white-coat, masked, and sustained hypertension according to office BP and ABPM criteria. Results: Lowering the home BP threshold increased sensitivity from 72.3 to 89.5% but reduced specificity from 81.8 to 69.1%, thereby improving overall diagnostic accuracy from 73.1 to 87.8% and the kappa coefficient from 0.238 to 0.427. At the conventional threshold of 135/85 mmHg, 63.2% of masked and 15.1% of sustained hypertension were misclassified as normotension, whereas these rates declined to 30.3 and 3.4%, respectively, at the 130/80 mmHg threshold. Individuals with home BP between 130/80 and 134/84 mmHg showed intermediate office and ambulatory BP values, with a high prevalence of masked (32.9%) and sustained hypertension (11.7%). Within this subgroup, isolated nighttime and daytime–nighttime hypertension were identified in 35.7 and 13.5% of participants, respectively. Conclusion: The conventional home BP threshold of 135/85 mmHg may fail to identify a considerable proportion of masked, sustained, and nighttime hypertension. Lowering the threshold to 130/80 mmHg, or designating 130/80–134/84 mmHg as a diagnostic ‘gray zone’ warranting ABPM confirmation, may improve diagnostic precision and facilitate earlier detection of hypertension in clinical practice.

Background: Hypertension and dyslipidemia are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and effective management of these conditions is essential for reducing long-term morbidity. Mobile health (mHealth) education has emerged as a widely used strategy to enhance disease awareness and encourage lifestyle modification. This study evaluated the impact of an mHealth-based education on cardiovascular risk factors and disease awareness among individuals with hypertension. Methods: This single-arm retrospective cohort study analyzed health screening data collected in 2022 (baseline), 2023 (Phase I), and 2024 (Phase II). Participants received a series of mobile-delivered educational materials focused on hypertension and dyslipidemia, emphasizing lifestyle modification, self-management, and improved understanding of chronic disease risks. Primary outcomes were changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Secondary outcomes included changes in triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and fasting blood sugar (FBS). Annual prevalence rates of hypertension and dyslipidemia were also assessed. Results: A total of 408 participants were included in the final analysis. SBP declined from 131 mmHg (IQR: 125–138) at baseline to 130 mmHg (IQR: 124–136) in 2023 and 128 mmHg (IQR: 120–136) in 2024 ( P < 0.001). DBP decreased from 84 mmHg (IQR: 81–89) to 84 mmHg (IQR: 80–89) in 2023 and 82 mmHg (IQR: 75–89) in 2024 ( P < 0.001). Hypertension prevalence decreased from 27% to 23.5% and 23%, though changes were not statistically significant. TG levels significantly decreased from 141 mg/dL (IQR: 96–206) to 138 mg/dL (IQR: 91–193) and 127 mg/dL (IQR: 92–185) ( P < 0.001). LDL showed a statistically significant but small reduction (127 → 128 → 126 mg/dL; P = 0.003), while HDL remained unchanged. FBS increased slightly but significantly across the study period (98 → 99 → 99 mg/dL; P = 0.01). Dyslipidemia prevalence declined modestly (45.1% → 43.6% → 43.4%) without statistical significance. Conclusion: This study supports the feasibility of mobile health education as a low-cost strategy for improving blood pressure and lipid control. Strengthening education program content and enhancing participant engagement may further amplify its impact on population cardiovascular health.