Effects of Habitual Low-Intensity Exercise Combined with Massage on Obesity, Weight Loss Confidence, and Muscle Function

INTERVENTION: Behavioral, Others(Massage and low‐intensity exercise intervention using a massage chair) : A total of 90 participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the experimental or control group (45 per group) using a computer‐generated randomization sequence created with Python (Version 3.12, Python Software Foundation). Both groups will complete their assigned intervention at home once daily for 20 minutes over 12 weeks. Participants will select a convenient time and will be instructed to perform the intervention at about the same time each day. Before the intervention, the researcher will explain how to use the assigned mode and follow the study procedures. The experimental group will use the Bodyfriend Falcon N‐BFH‐4010 massage chair in a mode combining massage with low‐intensity exercise. During massage, the device will guide leg raises, leg extensions, and cycling‐type movements through voice instructions and mechanical movements. Participants will perform the movements while seated and will exert force at approximately 10%–20% of maximal effort. The control group will use the same massage chair in a massage‐only mode without exercise movements or exercise‐related voice instructions and will rest while receiving the automatically provided massage. Both groups will use the chair for the same duration and frequency but will differ in the provision of low‐intensity exercise and exercise guidance. During the study, participants will use only their assigned mode, and other massage modes or additional device operation will be restricted. Both groups will follow the same chatbot recording procedures and receive the same weight‐loss habit formation education. At 9:00 a.m. each day, participants will record whether they completed the massage intervention on the previous CONDITION: Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases PRIMARY OUTCOME: Change in habit formation level from baseline to week 12 (SRBAI score) Changes in body weight and obesity‐related indicators from baseline to week 12 [body weight (kg), whole‐body fat mass (kg) and lean mass (kg) measured by DXA, and waist circumference (cm)] SECONDARY OUTCOME: Change in abdominal silhouette Change in abdominal tilt angle Change in blood pressure Change in body fat percentage Change in dietary habits Change in handgrip strength Change in low‐back and knee pain intensity measured by the VAS Change in muscle mass Change in perceived body lightness score after the five‐times sit‐to‐stand test Change in sleep quality Change in step count (measured using the default health application and other step‐tracking applications) Change in waist‐to‐hip ratio (WHR) Change in weight‐loss self‐efficacy measured by the WELQ Chatbot usage (intervention adherence [%]) INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Men and women aged 40 to under 65 years 2. Individuals who have not been managing their diet within the past 3 months 3. Individuals who meet the criteria for obesity or overweight: ‐ Body mass inde X(BMI) of 23 or higher ‐ Abdominal obesity according to the WHO Asian criteria: waist circumference of 90 cm or greater for men and 80 cm or greater for women 4. Individuals with stable body weight, defined as a weight change of no more than 3 kg within the past 3 months 5. Individuals who can walk independently and perform low‐intensity exercise without difficulty 6. Smartphone owners who are able to use an application and participate in monitoring 7. Individuals who already own a massage chair or plan to purchase or rent one 8. Individuals who have access to a massage chair at home, a fitness center, a welfare facility, or the workplace Participants must meet at least one of criteria 7 or 8.