Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40246298›Full record

ArticleJMIR research protocols2025

Locomotive Syndrome Digital Therapeutics Provided via a Smartphone App: Protocol for a Single-Group Trial.

Tatsuru Sonobe, Yoshihiro Matsumoto

Abstract readClinical Trial Protocol
In one paragraph

Article in JMIR research protocols, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Tatsuru Sonobe *Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan.ORCID 0009-0008-1941-2909
Yoshihiro Matsumoto *Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan.ORCID 0000-0002-0039-2855

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundLocomotive syndrome (LS) is a condition in which muscle weakness and reduced motor function due to musculoskeletal disorders cause reduced mobility and physical function. In Japan, musculoskeletal disorders are the most frequent reason for requiring home support or nursing care, and the prevention and amelioration of LS are thus being emphasized. However, it is difficult for older people to make a habit of exercise therapy, which is the mainstay of LS treatment. We investigated whether digital therapy could (1) lead to behavioral change in older people and (2) prevent or improve LS in older people.

objectiveWe sought to determine whether digital therapeutics (DTx) are useful for the prevention and amelioration of LS in older people, and we assessed the effects of DTx on the participants' exercise awareness and motor function.

methodsWe conducted a multicenter, prospective, longitudinal, nonrandomized, single-group study of Japanese adults aged ≥40 years who were eligible for LS checks. Each participant underwent an 8-week locomotion training (LT) intervention, and their subjective and objective motor abilities and motor awareness were objectively assessed at the following time points: baseline (before the start of the DTx), interim (4 weeks after the start of the DTx), and end (8 weeks after the start of the DTx). We evaluated the participants' objective motor function using the timed up and go (TUG) test, and we compare the results using a 3-way ANOVA with the TUG test at the 3 evaluation time points as the dependent variable. The results of the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale, which is a subjective measure of motor function, and the results of the Behavioural Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire 3, which assesses motor awareness, were also evaluated using an ANOVA in the same way as the TUG test. The significance level was set at .05 / 3 = .0167 after Bonferroni correction.

resultsAs of April 2025, this study had enrolled 47 participants, and complete data had been gathered from 45 participants for the proposed analysis. Study participation was ongoing as of April 2025.

conclusionsThe study cohort will be used as a basis for further observational and intervention studies. This research could lead to more efficient use of medical resources and a reduction in financial and medical burdens on individuals and the economy, and it could support the prevention and amelioration of LS and the establishment of exercise habits among older people.

trial registrationUniversity Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000053922; https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000061550. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/70163.

Indexed as

Exercise TherapyMobile ApplicationsSmartphoneAgedAged, 80 and overFemaleHumansJapanLocomotionLongitudinal StudiesMaleMiddle AgedMulticenter Studies as TopicProspective StudiesRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicSyndrome25-Geriatric Locomotive Function Scalebehavioral changeBREQ-3digital therapeuticlocomotion traininglocomotive syndromesupport applicationTUG

Identifiers

PMID40246298
PMCPMC12046266

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.