The efficacy and safety of cupping as complementary and alternative therapy for metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of cupping therapy in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Methods: This systematic review focused on patients with MetS and included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the effects of cupping therapy with control groups. A total of 12 electronic databases were searched from inception until February 03, 2023.

Status of resource recycling stations in Taiwan and recycling work-related health effects.

Resource recycling has become an integral part of environmental protection efforts. At present, the development of Taiwan's resource recovery and related works are quite mature. However, laborers or volunteers working in resource recycling stations may be exposed to different types of hazards during the recycling process.

Efficacy of Acupuncture Treatment for Incidence of Poststroke Comorbidities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Nationalized Cohort Studies.

Acupuncture has been applied as a complementary therapy in stroke survivors worldwide and approved to be beneficial to stroke recovery. However, there is little medical evidence regarding the association between acupuncture and the risk of poststroke comorbidities. We reviewed big data studies from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database to investigate the risk of poststroke comorbidities after acupuncture treatment in a real-world situation.

The Potential Win-win Strategy for Healthy Aging and Environmental Protection: Environmental Volunteering.

Purpose: To explore the physical activity level of community environmental volunteering (CEV) participants and the differences in physical functions and daily activity patterns between the older adults who engaged in intensive CEV (≥15 hours/week) and non-intensive CEV (<15 hours/week) groups.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Three recycling stations in Taiwan.

Unilateral vs Bilateral Hybrid Approaches for Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To investigate the effects of unilateral hybrid therapy (UHT) and bilateral hybrid therapy (BHT) compared with robot-assisted therapy (RT) alone in patients with chronic stroke.

Design: A single-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Four hospitals.

Comparative Assessment of Two Robot-Assisted Therapies for the Upper Extremity in People With Chronic Stroke.

Objective: We investigated the effects on motor and daily function of robot-assisted therapies in people with chronic stroke using the Bi-Manu-Track (BMT) and InMotion 3.0 (IMT) compared with control treatment (CT).

Method: In this comparative efficacy trial, 30 participants were randomized to receive BMT, IMT, or CT.

Hybrid Rehabilitation Therapies on Upper-Limb Function and Goal Attainment in Chronic Stroke.

This study examined the treatment effects between unilateral hybrid therapy (UHT; unilateral robot-assisted therapy [RT] + modified constraint-induced movement therapy) and bilateral hybrid therapy (BHT; bilateral RT + bilateral arm training) compared with RT. Thirty patients with chronic stroke were randomized to UHT, BHT, or RT groups. Preliminary efficacy was assessed using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), the Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory (CAHAI), and the goal attainment scaling (GAS).

The Effects of Combination of Robot-Assisted Therapy With Task-Specific or Impairment-Oriented Training on Motor Function and Quality of Life in Chronic Stroke.

Background: Robot-assisted therapy (RT) is a promising intervention for stroke rehabilitation. RT hybridized with therapist-mediated therapy (eg, RT plus task-specific or impairment-oriented training) may possibly yield functionally relevant improvements. A comparative study of the different combination regimens is needed.