Digital therapeutics (DTx) are emerging as a transformative innovation in healthcare offering evidence-based digital interventions for the treatment, management, and prevention of various diseases and disorders. In Korea, DTx have gained significant attention as potential solutions to the increasing burden of chronic diseases and mental health conditions. However, the Korean DTx market faces several challenges that hinder its widespread adoption and integration into the national healthcare system. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of the DTx market in Korea, identifies the key challenges impeding its growth, and proposes strategies for overcoming these obstacles. This study utilized a literature review and market analysis approach to examine the latest research, industry reports, and regulatory documents related to DTx. The analysis focused on three primary areas: (1) the current regulatory landscape, (2) technological advancements and challenges, and (3) economic and commercial factors influencing DTx adoption in Korea. A comparative analysis of global regulatory practices was also conducted to identify best practices. The findings revealed that while Korea has made significant strides in supporting DTx development, the market remains in its early stages. The key challenges include underdeveloped regulatory frameworks, issues with data quality and security, and a lack of established reimbursement pathways. We recommend developing tailored regulatory frameworks for DTx, enhancing policy support for small and medium-sized enterprises involved in DTx development, and increasing investments in technological infrastructure. By addressing these challenges, Korea could position itself as a leader in the global DTx market, delivering innovative and effective treatments to enhance patient care and outcomes.

The effectiveness of breathing interventions on postural alignment, pain reduction, and functional improvement in patients with forward head posture (FHP) and chronic neck pain remains uncertain. Previously conducted randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that involved breathing interventions were identified through searches of the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Studies were included if they applied diaphragmatic breathing, breathing muscle training, or feedback breathing exercises for at least 2 weeks to chronic neck pain (duration ≥ 3 months) and/or forward head posture. The craniovertebral angle (CVA), the visual analog scale (VAS), and the neck disability index (NDI) were the primary outcome measures. The results showed that breathing interventions had a moderate effect size in terms of improving the CVA. Limited effects were observed for pain reduction, and improvements in neck disability approached statistical significance. However, despite these positive findings, the overall evidence was rated as ‘very low certainty’ in the GRADE assessment, primarily due to high heterogeneity among studies, limited sample sizes, and the potential for unit-of-analysis errors in diagnosis-based subgroup analyses. Consequently, their overall effectiveness in chronic neck pain was limited. Future research is needed to explore a multidisciplinary approach to neck pain using standardized protocols and larger samples.

Background: Muscular strength and explosive power are essential for athletic performance, particularly in jumping tasks. Grip and back strength indicate upper body and trunk capacities, but their influence on vertical and standing long jump performance in diverse athletes is underexplored. Objective: This study examines the relationship between grip strength, back strength, and performance in vertical and standing long jumps, focusing on variations by gender and sport type. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 1162 athletes (725 males, 437 females). Grip and back strength were assessed using standardized devices, while vertical and standing long jump tests evaluated jumping performance. Relative strength metrics were calculated using BMI. Multivariate regression analyses adjusted for age and lean body mass. Results: Relative strength showed stronger correlations with jumping performance than absolute strength. Among males, back strength had a greater impact on vertical jump height, while grip strength was more significant for females. Sport type also influenced these relationships: grip strength was critical in ball and racket sports, whereas back strength played a larger role in non-ball sports. Conclusions: The findings of this study may serve as key predictors for jumping performance, with gender- and sport-specific variations.

This study aimed to determine the effect of task-oriented treadmill training combined with high-intensity interval training (TO-HIIT) on the balance, gait parameters, and ADL in patients with chronic stroke compared to high-intensity interval treadmill training (HIIT). This parallel-group randomized controlled trial with a 1:1 allocation ratio enrolled 30 chronic stroke patients who were randomly assigned using computer-generated randomization to either an TO- HIIT group (n = 15) or HIIT group (n = 15). Outcome assessors were blinded to group allocation. Both groups trained 30 min per session, three times a week for four weeks. Balance ability was evaluated using the Zebris FDM-T, Gait parameters were measured by the GAITRite, and the activities of daily living (ADL) was assessed using modified barthel index (MBI). Data were analyzed via two-factor repeated measures ANOVA. Significant interaction effects between time and group were observed for the balance (COP 95% area, COP path length, COP average velocity), gait parameters (step length, stride length, cadence, double limb support, and single limb support), and ADL (p < .05). Post-hoc analysis revealed that the TO-HIIT group showed greater improvements compared to the HIIT group (p < .025); however, no significant between-group differences were observed in cadence and MBI (p > .025). Both groups demonstrated significant improvements over time (p < .017). This study suggests that TO-HIIT is more effective than HIIT alone for chronic stroke patients. High-intensity, repetitive, meaningful task-oriented exercises positively impact balance, gait, and ADL demonstrating notable transfer effects. Therefore, TO-HIIT should be considered in rehabilitation programs.

Min-Bong Kang, Ju-Hak Kim, Ki-Hyun Kim. J Kor Phys Ther 2025;37:165-70. https://doi.org/10.18857/jkpt.2025.37.4.165

In subjects with functional ankle instability, lumbopelvic instability causes instability of the hip and lower extremities. The purpose of this study is to determine whether an ankle exercise program with hip strengthening exercise and lumbopelvic stabilization exercise affects spine and ankle stability through muscle activity in adults with functional ankle instability. Thirty adults with functional ankle instability were randomly assigned to a hip joint strengthening exercise group and a lumbopelvic stabilization exercise group. The subjects participated in the designated program three times a week for 40 minutes a day. In the hip joint strengthening exercise group, a general hip joint strengthening exercise was used, and in the lumbopelvic stabilization exercise group, a lumbopelvic stabilization exercise using a sling was added. The intervention lasted 4 weeks, and both groups were instructed to refrain from other exercise during the 4-week intervention period. The muscle activity of the tibialis anterior, gluteus maximus, external oblique and contralateral latissimus dorsi was measured. Data were collected from the 30 patients. The results showed that the muscle activity of the tibialis anterior, gluteus maximus, lateral oblique muscle, and contralateral latissimus dorsi was significantly increased in both groups. This suggests that the existing hip joint strengthening exercise and lumbopelvic stabilization exercise are effective approaches which not only help reduce hip joint pain and improve function, but also reduce functional ankle instability. Therefore, if an appropriate exercise program is provided for subjects with functional ankle instability, it is expected that it will help improve pain and function by reducing ankle instability and the frequency of re- injury.