Effects of a 12-week workplace counseling program on physical activity and low back pain: A pilot randomized controlled study.

Background: Physical activity (PA) is essential in the management and rehabilitation of low back pain (LBP). However, it is not clear that PA interventions in the workplace can improve LBP.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of workplace counseling on PA and LBP among workers.

Correction: Relationship between non-communicable diseases and background characteristics among homeless people in Nagoya City, Japan.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Relationship between non-communicable diseases and background characteristics among homeless people in Nagoya City, Japan.

Background: There are few reports that objectively show actual health conditions among the homeless or diagnoses of non-communicable diseases based on blood tests. This report discloses the actual data from blood tests and non-communicable diseases among the participants. Furthermore, associations between the test values for lifestyle-related disease and mental disorder/intellectual disability, as well as personal backgrounds of homeless people, were analyzed from the data gathered in the survey.

The Effectiveness of Japan's Community Centers in Facilitating Social Participation and Maintaining the Functional Capacity of Older People.

This study examines the effectiveness of a community center in Japan at promoting social participation and sustaining its regular users' functional capacity. The surveys were distributed to 108 physically and cognitively independent local older people; 72 responses were received. There were 16 regular users and 56 nonregular users.

Causes of homelessness prevalence: Relationship between homelessness and disability.

Aim: Many studies have reported that the prevalence of mental illness and cognitive disability is higher among homeless individuals compared to the general population, and the rates of mental illness among the homeless population have recently increased. This study: (i) compares causes of homelessness or barriers to escaping homelessness for people with/without mental illness/cognitive disability; (ii) reveals problems with the Japanese homeless policy; and (iii) proposes an effective and necessary support system.

Methods: The participants were 114 homeless individuals.

Deprivation and Social Support in Mental Health of Welfare Recipients in Japan.

Although many Western studies examining the mental health of welfare recipients exist, Japanese welfare recipients have been overlooked. This study investigated mental health among welfare recipients in Japan and relations with a sense of deprivation of life's necessities and social support. Participants (n = 305) completed the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), Proportional Deprivation Index, and a social support scale.