International Journal of Preventive Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Evaluation of the Protective Effect of the Secondary Root's Extract and Partitions of Devil's Claw (<i>Harpagophytum procombens</i>) on Ulcerative Colitis Caused by Acetic Acid in Rats.","authors":"Maryam Salehi, Afsaneh Yekdaneh, Maryam Derakhshan, Mohsen Minaiyan","doi":"10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_177_25","DOIUrl":"10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_177_25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Ulcerative colitis is an autoimmune disease with an unfamiliar etiology, which caused by environmental, microbial, and genetic factors. <i>Harpagophytum procumbens</i> (<i>H. procumbens</i>, Devil's Claw), could be effective in the treatment of colitis due to its strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and restorative effects. Therefore, this research aimed to explore this property.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The hydroalcoholic extract of <i>H. procumbens</i> was prepared and partitioned into aqueous and ethyl acetate parts. Total phenols of extract and partitions were determined and three increasing doses of them (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg), dexamethasone (1 mg/kg), mesalazine (100 mg/kg) and normal saline (5 mL/kg) were examined in male Wistar rats as test, reference and control groups respectively. Colitis induction was conducted via rectal instillation of acetic acid and the treatments continued for five consecutive days. Finally, the colon tissues were evaluated for colitis biomarkers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Total phenols were equivalent to 5.19 ± 0.09, 2.12 ± 0.03 and 7.71 ± 0.01 gallic acid equivalent (mg)/g of dry extract, aqueous and ethyl acetate partitions, respectively. Greater doses of hydroalcoholic extract and aqueous (200 mg/kg) and ethyl acetate partition (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) improved the ulcerative colitis in terms of colon weight, ulcer index and total colitis index in significant manner. Similar results obtained after myeloperoxidase (MPO) measurements however, for malondialdehyde (MDA) value, most doses of the extract and partitions were effective.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong><i>H. procumbens</i> hydroalcoholic extract and its partitions ameliorated experimental colitis probably in a dose-related manner. It seems antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcerative effects especially due to non-polar ingredients, are responsible.</p>","PeriodicalId":14342,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Preventive Medicine","volume":"17 ","pages":"60"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13592892/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149016751","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association of Conicity Index and Abdominal Volume Index with Handgrip Strength and Quality of Life in Hemodialysis Patients: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Fatemeh Navab, Farnaz Shahdadian, Sahar Foshati, Nafiseh Sharif, Gholamreza Askari, Mohammad Bagherniya, Firouzeh Moeinzadeh, Mohammad Hossein Rouhani","doi":"10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_300_23","DOIUrl":"10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_300_23","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Little is known about the association of anthropometric indicators of visceral obesity with handgrip strength (HGS) and quality of life (QOL). We aimed to investigate the association of conicity index (CI) and abdominal volume index (AVI) with HGS and QOL in hemodialysis patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The present multicenter cross-sectional study was performed on 326 maintenance hemodialysis patients. Anthropometric measurements were used for CI and AVI. The Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form and Smedley type hand dynamometer were used to assess QOL and HGS, respectively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A higher level of CI was inversely associated with HGS (B: -25.62, <i>P</i>= 0.01) and QOL (B: -54.89, <i>P</i>= 0.03) only in female and not in male (<i>P</i> > 0.05). An increase in AVI was positively associated with HGS in male (B: 0.50, <i>P</i>= 0.01), while the significant association was not found between AVI and HGS as well as QOL in female in the fully adjusted model (<i>P</i> > 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our study evidenced an inverse association of CI with HGS and QOL in female. However, a positive association was found between AVI and HGS only in male. To confirm these findings, more studies are warranted.</p>","PeriodicalId":14342,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Preventive Medicine","volume":"17 ","pages":"67"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13592890/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149016692","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"One Health Approach for Mitigation of Impact of Climate Change on Early Childhood Development.","authors":"Abhay Gaidhane, Manoj Patil, Shital Telrandhe, Zahiruddin Quazi","doi":"10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_184_25","DOIUrl":"10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_184_25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Climate change is an unavoidable process and its effects on the environment is varied in different geographies. In developing world, the effects of climate change have an enormous impact on young children. Climate change deeply impacts early childhood development, posing distinctive challenges to young children through disruptions in health resources, such as air, water, food, and shelter. These disruptions result in increased vulnerability to extreme weather events, respiratory diseases, malnutrition, and vector-borne illnesses, all of which can hinder physical, cognitive, and emotional growth. The one health approach, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, offers a holistic framework for addressing these challenges. This article serves to raise significant risks in climate change and its effects on early childhood, such as health impacts of extreme weather, deterioration of air quality, nutritional risks, and diseases. It espouses cross-sector collaboration to drive integrated services that strengthen resilience in health systems, as well as further develop environmental education for empowerment of communities. Moreover, it puts emphasis on research-informed policymaking for the effective creation of targeted interventions for vulnerabilities in children. One health approach would be appropriate for societies with resource limitations and political barriers. Adapting to this approach can sustainably lead to multidisciplinary solutions. Resilient health systems, community awareness, early childhood priority in climate action plans, and healthy and sustainable futures for current and subsequent generations can all be ensured through mitigation of adverse effects of climate change.</p>","PeriodicalId":14342,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Preventive Medicine","volume":"17 ","pages":"61"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13592878/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149016790","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cardiac Rehabilitation and Weight Change: Insights from Retrospective Analysis of the Predictors.","authors":"Sina Molavizade, Fateme Dehghani, Elham Azizi, Shima Nasirian, Masoumeh Sadeghi, Amir Parsa Abhari","doi":"10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_28_25","DOIUrl":"10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_28_25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Although the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) are well-established, the rate of weight loss (WL) among participants remains low, with some even experiencing weight gain (WG). Further research is required to identify factors influencing weight changes in patients attending CR. This study evaluates predictors of weight change during CR.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>A pre-and post-observational study was conducted using phase II CR data from the Cardiac Rehabilitation Research Center of the Isfahan Heart Research Institute. Participants were categorized into three groups based on weight changes before and after CR: no weight change (NWC), WL, and WG, with a 3% change in weight considered significant. Statistical analyses, including one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-square test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and regression analyses, were performed using SPSS software.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 309 participants, 83.2% were in the NWC group, 9.7% gained weight, and 7.1% lost weight. Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed insignificant between the pre-and post-CR weights. Linear regression analysis with weight change as the outcome revealed age (<i>P</i> = 0.019) and smoking (<i>P</i> = 0.005) as significant factors. Ordinal logistic regression identified dyslipidemia (<i>P</i> = 0.04), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (<i>P</i> = 0.001), coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) (<i>P</i> = 0.01), and smoking (<i>P</i> = 0.03) as predictors of weight change categories. Waist and hip circumferences were significantly higher in the WL group (<i>P</i> < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In the CR program, younger age, higher body measurements, and a history of cardiac procedures were associated with greater WL. In contrast, current smoking and dyslipidemia levels were linked to WG.</p>","PeriodicalId":14342,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Preventive Medicine","volume":"17 ","pages":"76"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13592880/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149016669","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development of a Chitosan-Based Wound Dressing from Shrimp Shells Incorporated with Ethanol Extracts of Fruit Peels for Inhibiting <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i> Infections.","authors":"Wiraporn Suwanmongkol, Jasanee Ngamplrensin, Bongkosh Auvichien, Sunisa Krainara, Rattiporn Kosuwin, Pakarang Srimee, Pattakorn Buppan","doi":"10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_30_25","DOIUrl":"10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_30_25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Bacterial infections caused by <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i> continue to pose a significant challenge to global healthcare. To assess its antibacterial efficacy, this study aimed to develop a wound dressing composed of shrimp shell-derived chitosan combined with extracts from fruit peels, specifically tangerine, mangosteen, and banana peel.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Bioactive compounds were extracted using ethanol, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against the bacteria was determined.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the extracts tested, mangosteen peel demonstrated the highest efficacy (MIC = 0.39 mg/mL for <i>S. epidermidis</i>) compared to tangerine and banana peels. Evaluation of the developed wound dressings revealed that those containing mangosteen peel extract exhibited the largest bacterial inhibition zones.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings highlight the potential of agricultural waste materials to create sustainable and ecofriendly medical products.</p>","PeriodicalId":14342,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Preventive Medicine","volume":"17 ","pages":"72"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13592891/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149016769","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Effect of Synbiotic Supplementation on Malondialdehyde Levels in Adolescents Exposed to Air Pollution: A Randomized, Single-Blind, Controlled Clinical Trial.","authors":"Roya Kelishadi, Maryam Zarean, Azimeh Maghzi, Maryam Yazdi, Parinaz Poursafa, Motahar Heidari-Beni","doi":"10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_246_25","DOIUrl":"10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_246_25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Exposure to air pollution has been linked to elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, a marker of oxidative stress, while synbiotics-by modulating the intestinal microbiota-may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. Despite these possibilities, evidence on the effect of synbiotic supplementation in mitigating oxidative stress caused by air pollution in pediatric populations remains limited.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This single-blind randomized controlled trial aimed to assess the impact of synbiotic supplementation on MDA levels among 70 healthy children and adolescents aged 10-18 years exposed to air pollution. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either synbiotics (n = 38) or omega-3 (n = 32) for 8 weeks. MDA levels were measured at baseline and after the intervention.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A significant reduction in MDA levels was observed within the synbiotic group (from 148.80 ± 80.72 to 51.54 ± 82.94, <i>P</i>< 0.001), although no significant difference was noted between the synbiotic and omega-3 groups (<i>P</i> = 0.75); however, after adjusting for confounding variables, synbiotic supplementation was significantly associated with MDA reduction.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings suggest that synbiotics may help counteract oxidative stress induced by air pollution in children and adolescents, highlighting the need for further large-scale studies to explore their potential protective role in pediatric environmental health.</p>","PeriodicalId":14342,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Preventive Medicine","volume":"17 ","pages":"71"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13592895/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149016799","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Critical Appraisal of the Relationship Between Mobile Phone Addiction and Changes in Spinal Column Angles of Male High School Students With Endomorphic Body Type.","authors":"Izma Saeed, Hafiza F Zahid, Sadia Hafeez, Kalpana Singh","doi":"10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_261_25","DOIUrl":"10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_261_25","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":14342,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Preventive Medicine","volume":"17 ","pages":"63"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13592889/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149016636","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association Between Estimated 24-Hour Urinary Sodium and Potassium Excretion and Cardiovascular Risk and Events: Findings from the Isfahan Cohort Study.","authors":"Masoumeh Sadeghi, Fereshteh Sattar, Mohammad Karami, Mohammad Talaei, Hamidreza Roohafza, Sina Fadaei Tehrani, Ehsan Shirvani, Mohammad Hadi Mansouri, Marzieh Taheri, Nizal Sarrafzadegan","doi":"10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_303_25","DOIUrl":"10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_303_25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Sodium and potassium intake are key determinants of cardiovascular (CV) health, largely through effects on blood pressure. Most studies have focused on serum levels or dietary estimates, with limited evidence linking urinary excretion to CV outcomes.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To examine associations between estimated 24-hour urinary sodium and potassium excretion and cardiovascular risk factors and events in Iranian adults.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this historical cohort study, 1,953 participants from the Isfahan Cohort Study with random morning urine samples (2013) and two-year follow-up were included. Sodium and potassium excretion were estimated using the Tanaka formula. Cox proportional hazards models assessed associations between tertiles of excretion and incident CV events, adjusting for demographic, clinical, lifestyle, and medication variables.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Higher sodium excretion was associated with male sex, higher BMI, blood pressure, plasma sodium and potassium, better dietary quality (lower global dietary index score), and greater physical activity. Higher potassium excretion was associated with younger age, male sex, higher BMI and triglycerides, higher plasma electrolytes, lower smoking prevalence, and higher diabetes prevalence. No significant associations were observed between sodium or potassium excretion and CV events in adjusted models. Hazard ratios for higher sodium tertiles were consistently > 1.0, suggesting a nonsignificant trend toward increased risk. Potassium excretion showed a nonlinear pattern, with the middle tertile having the highest hazard ratio.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Estimated urinary sodium and potassium excretion were linked to several cardiometabolic risk factors but not to short-term CV events. Longer follow-up and more accurate intake assessments are needed to clarify their role in CV risk prediction.</p>","PeriodicalId":14342,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Preventive Medicine","volume":"17 ","pages":"69"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13592888/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149016716","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Preventive Effect of Protocatechuic Acid Ethyl Ester against Doxorubicin-Induced Toxicity in Cardiomyocytes.","authors":"Leila Safaeian, Ali Zeinosalehin, Nastaran Rashidi","doi":"10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_10_25","DOIUrl":"10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_10_25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Administration of doxorubicin (DOX), an effective anticancer drug, is associated with cardiotoxicity. Protocatechuic acid ethyl ester (PCAE) is a natural phenolic acid derivative with antioxidant, iron-chelating capability and prolyl hydroxylase inhibitory effects. This <i>in vitro</i> investigation tested whether PCAE could protect against toxicity induced by doxorubicin in cardiomyocytes and compared its effects with those of protocatechuic acid (PCA).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>After evaluation of the cytotoxicity of PCAE (1-100 µM) and DOX (0.125-8 µM) on H9C2 cardiomyocytes, the cells were exposed to DOX (2 μM) following 24 h pretreatment with PCAE (1-100 µM). MTT assay was done to estimate the cytotoxicity or cell viability. The level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was examined by fluorescence assay. The ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay was performed as a measure of antioxidant capacity. Glutathione depletion assay was performed using 5,5-dithiobis-2-nitrobenzoic acid.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>PCAE (1-100 µM) had no inhibitory effect on the survival rate of cardiomyocytes after 24-hour incubation. Pretreatment with PCAE at 10-100 μM significantly prevented cytotoxicity of DOX using MTT test. PCAE declined the ROS level (at 1-100 µM) and glutathione depletion (at 80 and 100 μM) and raised the FRAP level (at 20-100 μM). These protective and antioxidant effects were significantly more potent than those of PCA activities.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>PCAE showed antioxidant and cytoprotective activities against toxicities caused by DOX in cardiomyocytes more potent than those of PCA. PCAE may be a potential candidate for prevention and treatment of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity, which requires further <i>in vivo</i> and clinical researches.</p>","PeriodicalId":14342,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Preventive Medicine","volume":"17 ","pages":"58"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13592896/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149016762","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Metaverse and Immersive Technologies: Redefining the Future of Healthcare: A Scoping Review.","authors":"Mohamadreza Maleki, Hassan Reyhani Khouzani, Ali Zackery, Salime Ghoharinejhad, Hamzeh Zarei","doi":"10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_335_25","DOIUrl":"10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_335_25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The rapid emergence of the metaverse, defined as an integrated and persistent three-dimensional virtual ecosystem that incorporates immersive enabling technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) alongside artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), is redefining opportunities in healthcare provision, medical education, and patient engagement. Extending beyond telemedicine, it offers transformative potential for personalized, equitable, and sustainable medical services. This scoping review synthesizes current evidence on applications, benefits, barriers, and strategies for integrating immersive technologies into healthcare.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted in June 2024 across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, and DOAJ using Medical Subject Headings, Embase Tree terms, and free-text keywords, combined with Boolean operators and manual reference checks. Eligible publications included empirical studies, systematic and scoping reviews, meta-analyses, conceptual frameworks, and implementation reports, published from 1994 onward in English. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full texts. Data were extracted using a structured form and thematically synthesized to map applications, benefits, and implementation barriers of metaverse technologies in healthcare.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From 3,542 records, 50 studies met the inclusion criteria. Evidence indicates that metaverse technologies can enhance healthcare provision via immersive telepresence consultations, AI-driven decision support, blockchain-enabled secure data handling, and integration with wearable devices. In education, VR, AR, and MR improved anatomical comprehension, procedural accuracy, clinical reasoning, and learner confidence. In patient care and rehabilitation, immersive tools reduced pain, enhanced neurorehabilitation and post-stroke recovery, lowered pre-operative anxiety, and improved chronic disease management and geriatric wellbeing. Barriers to adoption included high infrastructure costs, interoperability gaps, unequal technology access, and ethical issues concerning privacy, consent, and equity. Proposed solutions emphasized open technical standards, infrastructure investment, culturally adaptive design, and integration within hybrid care models.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The metaverse is moving from conceptual innovation to practical application, showing measurable value across healthcare delivery, education, and patient care. Sustainable, equitable integration will depend on overcoming technical, economic, and ethical challenges while embedding immersive technologies into existing health systems to complement, rather than replace, physical care.</p>","PeriodicalId":14342,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Preventive Medicine","volume":"17 ","pages":"77"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13592887/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149016796","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}