The effectiveness of a Japanese style health program: comparison between Minowa, Japan and Rayong, Thailand

AIM: This study aimed to appropriately establish a Japanese style healthcare program under the ISO9001:2008 (ISO: International Organization for Standardization) in Minowa, Japan and Rayong, Thailand to improve problem areas and inspect its effectiveness. Furthermore, we want to make this health promotion through ISO widely available in Asian countries and to make an international contribution. METHOD: We implemented a 6-month health program in the c Rayong city, Thailand, and a 12 month health program in the Minowa town, Japan. This study assessed findings from pedometry, anthropometry and blood pressure measurements, physical fitness, blood chemistry, and brain function tests. RESULTS: The comparisons were made using interaction effects between the participants in Rayong and Minowa. They showed significant differences in the 10-m obstacle walk, the 6-minute walk, HDL, the reverse and reverse differentiation time, the total number of forgets, the total number of mistakes, and the total number of brain function errors. CONCLUSIONS: To improve the brain function in participants from Rayong through this health education program, measures such as increasing the number of steps, adding muscular strength/stretching exercises, and home training every day is suggested.