Background: The use of transport other than cars is a modifiable factor in the association between driving cessation and social frailty. Clarifying this relationship may serve as a new preventive measure against social frailty among current non-drivers. This study examined the potential association of driving status and transport use with social frailty, as well as between the frequency of transport use and social frailty, among current non-drivers. Methods: This study included 977 middle-aged and older adults (average age, 65.3±4.8 years). The participants were classified as transport users (more than a few times a week) and transport non-users (less than a few times a month). Based on driving status and transport use, the groups were further classified into current driver, current non-driver/transport user, and current non-driver/transport non-user groups. The relationships between driving status, transport use, and social frailty were examined using multiple logistic regression. Results: The current non-driver group and the transport non-user group were significant association with a higher social frailty. The current non-driver/transport user group showed no association with social frailty compared with the current driver group. The odds ratio for the social frailty rate for The current non-driver/transport non-user group was 2.14 (95% confidence interval, 1.25–3.73). Conclusions Participants who neither drive nor take transport showed significant associations with increased social frailty. Compared with current driver/transport use, current non-driver/transport non-use was associated with social frailty.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the potential association between the combination of low physical activity and low dietary diversity with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older Japanese adults. Methods: Data from 600 older adults (mean age, 74.1±6.4 years; women, 62.0%) were analyzed. We evaluated dietary variety based on the Food Frequency Score (FFS; maximum 30 points) by assessing the 1-week consumption frequencies of ten foods. An FFS of ≤16 indicated low dietary diversity. We assessed MCI using the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology Functional Assessment Tool. Physical activity levels was determined based on participant responses to two questions: “Do you engage in moderate levels of physical exercise or sports aimed at health?” and “Do you engage in low levels of physical exercise aimed at health?” Participants who responded “No” to both questions were classified as having low physical activity levels. We classified the participants into robust, low-dietary diversity, low-physical activity, and coexistence groups. Results: The overall prevalence of MCI was 20.7%, with rates in the robust, low dietary diversity, low physical activity, and coexistence groups of 17.7%, 24.7%, 25.0%, and 41.9%, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that low dietary diversity and physical activity were associated with MCI in older adults (odds ratio=2.80, 95% confidence interval 1.22–6.28). Conclusion The results of the present study demonstrated the association of the co-occurrence of low dietary diversity and low physical activity with MCI. Older adults with both risk factors may require early detection, as well as physical activity and dietary interventions.

Background: The use of transport other than cars is a modifiable factor in the association between driving cessation and social frailty. Clarifying this relationship may serve as a new preventive measure against social frailty among current non-drivers. This study examined the potential association of driving status and transport use with social frailty, as well as between the frequency of transport use and social frailty, among current non-drivers. Methods: This study included 977 middle-aged and older adults (average age, 65.3±4.8 years). The participants were classified as transport users (more than a few times a week) and transport non-users (less than a few times a month). Based on driving status and transport use, the groups were further classified into current driver, current non-driver/transport user, and current non-driver/transport non-user groups. The relationships between driving status, transport use, and social frailty were examined using multiple logistic regression. Results: The current non-driver group and the transport non-user group were significant association with a higher social frailty. The current non-driver/transport user group showed no association with social frailty compared with the current driver group. The odds ratio for the social frailty rate for The current non-driver/transport non-user group was 2.14 (95% confidence interval, 1.25–3.73). Conclusions Participants who neither drive nor take transport showed significant associations with increased social frailty. Compared with current driver/transport use, current non-driver/transport non-use was associated with social frailty.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the potential association between the combination of low physical activity and low dietary diversity with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older Japanese adults. Methods: Data from 600 older adults (mean age, 74.1±6.4 years; women, 62.0%) were analyzed. We evaluated dietary variety based on the Food Frequency Score (FFS; maximum 30 points) by assessing the 1-week consumption frequencies of ten foods. An FFS of ≤16 indicated low dietary diversity. We assessed MCI using the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology Functional Assessment Tool. Physical activity levels was determined based on participant responses to two questions: “Do you engage in moderate levels of physical exercise or sports aimed at health?” and “Do you engage in low levels of physical exercise aimed at health?” Participants who responded “No” to both questions were classified as having low physical activity levels. We classified the participants into robust, low-dietary diversity, low-physical activity, and coexistence groups. Results: The overall prevalence of MCI was 20.7%, with rates in the robust, low dietary diversity, low physical activity, and coexistence groups of 17.7%, 24.7%, 25.0%, and 41.9%, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that low dietary diversity and physical activity were associated with MCI in older adults (odds ratio=2.80, 95% confidence interval 1.22–6.28). Conclusion The results of the present study demonstrated the association of the co-occurrence of low dietary diversity and low physical activity with MCI. Older adults with both risk factors may require early detection, as well as physical activity and dietary interventions.

Background: The use of transport other than cars is a modifiable factor in the association between driving cessation and social frailty. Clarifying this relationship may serve as a new preventive measure against social frailty among current non-drivers. This study examined the potential association of driving status and transport use with social frailty, as well as between the frequency of transport use and social frailty, among current non-drivers. Methods: This study included 977 middle-aged and older adults (average age, 65.3±4.8 years). The participants were classified as transport users (more than a few times a week) and transport non-users (less than a few times a month). Based on driving status and transport use, the groups were further classified into current driver, current non-driver/transport user, and current non-driver/transport non-user groups. The relationships between driving status, transport use, and social frailty were examined using multiple logistic regression. Results: The current non-driver group and the transport non-user group were significant association with a higher social frailty. The current non-driver/transport user group showed no association with social frailty compared with the current driver group. The odds ratio for the social frailty rate for The current non-driver/transport non-user group was 2.14 (95% confidence interval, 1.25–3.73). Conclusions Participants who neither drive nor take transport showed significant associations with increased social frailty. Compared with current driver/transport use, current non-driver/transport non-use was associated with social frailty.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the potential association between the combination of low physical activity and low dietary diversity with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older Japanese adults. Methods: Data from 600 older adults (mean age, 74.1±6.4 years; women, 62.0%) were analyzed. We evaluated dietary variety based on the Food Frequency Score (FFS; maximum 30 points) by assessing the 1-week consumption frequencies of ten foods. An FFS of ≤16 indicated low dietary diversity. We assessed MCI using the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology Functional Assessment Tool. Physical activity levels was determined based on participant responses to two questions: “Do you engage in moderate levels of physical exercise or sports aimed at health?” and “Do you engage in low levels of physical exercise aimed at health?” Participants who responded “No” to both questions were classified as having low physical activity levels. We classified the participants into robust, low-dietary diversity, low-physical activity, and coexistence groups. Results: The overall prevalence of MCI was 20.7%, with rates in the robust, low dietary diversity, low physical activity, and coexistence groups of 17.7%, 24.7%, 25.0%, and 41.9%, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that low dietary diversity and physical activity were associated with MCI in older adults (odds ratio=2.80, 95% confidence interval 1.22–6.28). Conclusion The results of the present study demonstrated the association of the co-occurrence of low dietary diversity and low physical activity with MCI. Older adults with both risk factors may require early detection, as well as physical activity and dietary interventions.

Background: Dementia is a critical late-life health issue that occurs among members of aging societies. This study examined the relationships between eating out, dietary diversity, and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among community-dwelling older adults. Methods: We analyzed data from 597 older adults (median age 73.0 years, interquartile range 69.0–78.0 years; 62.6% females). We applied the food frequency score to evaluate diet variety and the weekly consumption frequencies of ten food items were determined. The National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology Functional Assessment Tool (NCGG-FAT) was used to evaluate MCI. Finally, we asked the participants how often they ate out each month; those who replied "none" were categorized into the "non-eating out" group. Results: The overall prevalence of MCI was 122 (20.4%), with a higher prevalence in the low dietary diversity group than in the high dietary diversity group (28.6% vs. 18.6%). After adjusting for covariates, the participants who self-described as not eating out were independently associated with low dietary diversity (odds ratio [OR]=1.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20–3.20), while low dietary diversity was associated with MCI (OR=1.72; 95% CI 1.02–2.87). Structural equation models revealed that not eating out had no direct effect on MCI but was associated with MCI via low dietary diversity (root mean square error of approximation=0.030, goodness-of-fit index=0.999, and adjusted goodness-of-fit index=0.984). Conclusions Although non-eating out may not have a direct effect on MCI, an indirect relationship may exist between eating-out habits and MCI via dietary diversity status.

[Objectives]The purpose of this study is to clarify the effect of acupuncture sensation on the body sway during a one-legged stance.[Methods] The study participants were 16 healthy adults (mean age 21.8±1.6 years). The study design was a crossover method, wherein the same individuals participated in the acupuncture stimulation condition and the control condition at intervals of more than one week. Evaluation was performed before and after each intervention by holding a one-legged stance for 40 seconds on a force plate. A total of six items of body sway were measured, including: circumferential area, rectangular area, effective value area, total trajectory length, unit trajectory length, and unit area trajectory length. In addition, Visual analog scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the ease with which the lower leg was subjected to force during measurement. In the acupuncture stimulation condition, single acupuncture was performed on the lower limb muscle group of the measuring leg, and the VAS of the acupuncture sensation was evaluated at the time of stimulation and at the end of measurement. Stainless steel disposable acupuncture needles (length: 50 mm, diameter: 0.20 mm.) were used for stimulation. The stimulation sites were the ST32, ST37, BL37, BL57, and GB37 of the test leg, and acupuncture needles were inserted to the desired depth and removed when sensation was felt. The control condition was the supine position for five minutes. Comparisons were made between the pre- and post-acupuncture stimulation conditions and the pre- and post-control conditions(body sway, lower leg VAS, acupuncture sensation VAS). [Results] There was no significant difference between the two conditions in terms of body sway. However, the VAS of lower limb effort was significantly lower, from 78.0±14.9 mm to 63.1±17.0 mm before and after the intervention (p<0.05). On the other hand, in the control condition, there was no significant difference from 79.5±12.3 mm to 75.2±12.7 mm before and after rest. The VAS of acupuncture sensation was 50.4±14.3 mm during stimulation and 9.8±9.0 mm at the end of measurement, which was significantly lower (p<0.05). [Conclusion] Acupuncture sensation did not affect the body sway before and after acupuncture stimulation. However, the subjective sensation of weakness appeared, suggesting that acupuncture stimulation may cause a transient sensation of weakness.

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the awareness and perceptions of cosmetic acupuncture among ordinary women.[Method] A questionnaire method was adopted, with a target population of 1,000 ordinary women living in Shizuoka prefecture, which is considered a suitable location for test marketing in Japan.Questionnaires were distributed through the Chambers of Commerce in the prefecture by age group, according to the population ratio, and responses were obtained. The items included (1) basic information; (2) presence and type of facial cosmetic concerns; (3) experience of acupuncture, awareness of cosmetic acupuncture, the medium through which they learned of it, perception of effects, and experience of cosmetic acupuncture; (4) effects and types of cosmetic acupuncture, presence or absence of adverse effects, current treatment status, desired treatment outcomes and reasons for seeking treatment, wishes from treatment clinics, and wishes from practitioners; and (5) 1 month's investment in beauty.[Result] The response rate was 56.2%, and 91.8% of the participants perceived that they had facial cosmetic concerns; 28.8% had experience with acupuncture, whereas 42.0% had knowledge regarding cosmetic acupuncture. Television (45.3%) was the primary source of information regarding this. The most prevalent perception of the effects of cosmetic acupuncture was lifting (44.8%), and 43.2% of the 521 participants inexperienced with cosmetic acupuncture consented to treatment. Participants mostly reported being somewhat interested in the procedure as their reason for wanting to receive treatment (45.3%). The most common reason for opting out of treatment was due to pain (52.6%). Of those who experienced cosmetic acupuncture, 60.0% said they experienced positive effects, and lifting (62.5%) is the most frequently perceived outcome, which matched the commonly held perception. However, among the participants, 45.0% reported negative effects, while 47.5% received the treatment two or more times in the past but did not continue. Participants mainly wanted clean treatment centers and skilled practitioners. The most common monthly investment in beauty was between 3,000 yen and 5,000 yen (28.5%).[Discussion/Conclusion] The results suggest that many women have cosmetic concerns regarding their faces and expect lifting from cosmetic acupuncture. The low treatment rate among women and their reasons for not seeking re-treatment were elucidated in this study, despite their degree of awareness. Further, the problems associated with the development of cosmetic acupuncture were clarified.