The need for physical activity for health promotion is recognized, yet young adults still perform insufficient physical activity. Smartphone health programs can be applied easily without time and space constraints, and various mobile health programs based on smartphone applications have recently been developed and applied. This study aimed to measure the effects of mobile smartphone-based health programs on physical activity and obesity outcomes in young adults through a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched publications in English through electronic databases up to May 2019. Studies were included that provided interventions to improve physical activity using smartphone applications for young adults. After assessing study quality, data were extracted and synthesized concerning whether smartphone interventions affect health outcomes including physical activity and weight using Meta-Analysis software. Four randomized controlled studies and a quasi-experimental study were analyzed. They provided information related to health management, diet, physical activity, and personalized feedback using smartphone applications. The meta-analysis showed that smartphone-based health interventions significantly affect weight loss and increase physical activity. This study provides modest evidence for using smartphone health programs to improve young adults’ physical activity, weight control, and body mass index (BMI). Future research is needed to understand long-term effects and the reliability of increasing physical activity through smartphone health programs.

Evidence on the effectiveness of melatonin in breast cancer patients suffering from sleep disturbances is contradictory, and there have been no meta-analyses on its use in humans with breast cancer. This study investigated the melatonin supplementation effectiveness in alleviating sleep disturbances in breast cancer patients. We searched Embase, PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Clinical trial.org databases for relevant reports by following PRISMA guidelines and collected clinical experimental studies of melatonin supplementation in breast cancer patients. Breast cancer for the population, melatonin supplementation for intervention, including sleep indicator, cancer treatment-related symptoms for outcomes, and clinical trial for humans were the searched keywords. Among the 1917 identified records, duplicates and irrelevant articles were excluded. Among the 48 full-text articles assessed, 10 studies met the criteria for inclusion in a systematic review, and five studies had sleep-related indicators and were included in the meta-analysis after quality assessment. The estimated average effect size (Hedges’ g) was −0.79 (p < 0.001) in a random-effects model, thus indicating that melatonin supplementation had a moderate effect in ameliorating sleep quality in breast cancer patients. Pooled data from studies on melatonin supplementation indicate that melatonin administration may alleviate sleep problems related to treatments in breast cancer patients.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic drastically shifted the public health burden onto the school health system. We, therefore, explored the school nurses’ experiences and needs for confronting the pandemic in school settings across Korea. This qualitative investigation enrolled 30 participants after their written consent. A written interview conducted through email and focus group interviews using an online meeting application verified participants’ opinions and experiences. Collected data were subjected to text-mining and content analysis. The school nurse was found to be responsible for many tasks, including education on preventive measures with unclear quarantine guidelines. Content analysis identified three key themes: “aggravated difficulties owing to lack of support resulted in burnout,” “reflection on supportive resources; direct provisions were helpful,” and “needs and suggestions to safeguard students’ health in the event of another pandemic.” Recommendations should all be considered to keep schools and students safe from future pandemics.

Ahn B, et al. J Korean Med Sci. 2024 Oct;39:e317. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e317