Fitness programs in mental health clinics boost wellness, social connection, and recovery for adults with diverse needs.

YouTube video by Greenhouse for Mental Health Development

YouTube video by Greenhouse for Mental Health Development

The World Conference on Orthopaedics and Physiotherapy (WCOP-2026) will be held from November 26–28, 2026 in Osaka, Japan. It is a global event that brings

Exercise is the best first treatment for osteoarthritis, easing joint pain, protecting cartilage, reducing inflammation, and improving strength and mobility.

Fitness is medicine—discover types, benefits, risks, causes, symptoms, treatments, and prevention tips. Use exercise to heal, prevent disease today.

Background: Individuals with locomotive syndrome (LS) have muscle weakness and reduced motor function due to musculoskeletal disorders that cause reduced mobility and physical function. In Japan, musculoskeletal disorders are the most common reason for requiring home support or nursing care, highlighting the need for preventing and ameliorating LS. Middle-aged and older adults sometimes encounter difficulty making a habit of exercise therapy (the mainstay of LS treatment). Objective: We investigated whether digital therapeutics (DTx) can prevent or ameliorate LS in middle-aged and older adults. Methods: We conducted a prospective, longitudinal, nonrandomized, single-group study of Japanese aged 40 years and older who were eligible for LS checkups (N=47). Each participant underwent an 8-week locomotion training intervention based on DTx supervised by medical staff. We objectively assessed the participants’ subjective and objective motor abilities and motor awareness with the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25), and Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-3 at baseline (before the DTx), an interim point (4 wk after the DTx initiation), and a final evaluation (8 wk post-DTx initiation). We compared the scores of the 3 tests at the 3 time points as dependent variables in a 3-factor ANOVA with Bonferroni correction (significance defined as 0.05/3=0.0167). Results: No increase in amotivation to exercise or refusal to exercise was observed. Significant improvements at 8 weeks versus the baseline were observed in the TUG scores (baseline: 9.0, 95% CI 8.4‐9.6; 8 wk: 7.5, 95% CI 7.1‐8.0; =.001) and GLFS-25 results (baseline: 18.7, 95% CI 14.5‐22.8; 8 wk: 11.7, 95% CI 8.8‐14.7; =.004). The Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-3 and its subscale data did not differ significantly at any assessment time point. Conclusions: These results indicate that an 8-week locomotive training intervention using DTx significantly improved middle-aged and older adults’ TUG and GLFS-25 scores and will help prevent and ameliorate LS and establish better exercise habits among them. Trial Registration: University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry UMIN000053922;

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