Publications by authors named "Li Wei Chou"

In the past, patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) were advised to avoid exercise due to concerns that it might strain cardiac function and exacerbate symptoms. However, recent evidence indicates that structured exercise programs can enhance outcomes and improve health-related quality of life for these patients. Consequently, exercise rehabilitation is now recommended in international guidelines as a key component of PH management.

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Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, with clinicians often observing increased muscle stiffness associated with joint pain and dysfunction. This study examines the impact of Fu's Subcutaneous Needling (FSN), a non-pharmacological technique, on muscle stiffness in the lower limbs of individuals with knee OA.

Materials And Methods: This study protocol is a pilot, single-center, randomized controlled trial.

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Background And Purpose: Low back pain (LBP) is a major global public health problem. Evidence shows that LBP is also related to cognitive, psychological, and lifestyle factors. Fu's subcutaneous needling (FSN) has been used for the treatment of musculoskeletal problems for many years.

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Article Synopsis
  • Long head of biceps brachii tendinopathy is a common cause of shoulder pain, and this study aims to compare the effectiveness of dry needling and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for treating it.
  • Thirty patients were divided into two treatment groups and assessed using various measures of pain and function before and after treatment.
  • Results showed that both treatments reduced pain, but dry needling was more effective in alleviating pain and disability and significantly reduced fluid buildup around the biceps tendon compared to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.
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Background: Fu's subcutaneous needling (FSN) is a novel acupuncture technique for pain treatment. This study investigated the effects of postsurgical FSN on postoperative pain in patients receiving surgery for degenerative spinal disorders.

Methods: This single-center, single-blind, randomized-controlled study involved patients undergoing surgery for degenerative spinal disorders.

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Fu's subcutaneous needling (FSN) is a traditional Chinese acupuncture procedure used to treat pain-related neurological disorders. Moreover, the regulation of inflammatory cytokines may provide a favorable environment for peripheral nerve regeneration. In light of this, FSN may be an important novel therapeutic strategy to alleviate pain associated with peripheral neuropathy; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear.

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Objective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to understand the difference in objectively measured physical activities (PAs) between children with and without developmental coordination disorder (DCD).

Data Sources: A systematic literature search of 4 databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Cochrane library) was conducted in July 2023.

Study Selection: Studies that met the following criteria were considered classified children with DCD based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), DSM-IV-Text Revision, or DSM-V diagnosis criteria, evaluated PA using objective measurements and provided the amount of time spent in PA and/or sedentary behavior, included a control group of typically developing children, and written in English.

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Objectives: This systematic review primarily aims to identify the optimal physiotherapeutic intervention to improve hand dexterity in Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients. The secondary objectives were to identify the hand dexterity physiotherapeutic interventions available for PD patients, and to determine the quality of these interventions.

Review Methods: Eight electronic databases were systematically searched to identify relevant randomized controlled trial full-text articles using the established search strategy.

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Objectives: To determine the effects of Pilates exercises on lumbo-pelvic alignment in non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) patients.

Methods: Twenty-two patients (Male:7; Female:15) with NSLBP aged 20-65 years were recruited and classified based on a modified O'Sullivan's classification system into flexion pattern (FP) or active extension pattern (EP) groups. Oswestry Disability index (ODI), Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) as well as radiographic lumbar global range of motion (ROM) and lumbo-pelvic alignment were measured Pre- and immediately post-intervention and at 6- and 12-month.

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Purpose: Describe real-life practice and outcomes in the management of post-stroke upper limb spasticity with botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) in Asian settings.

Methods: Subgroup analysis of a prospective, observational study (NCT01020500) of adult patients (≥18 years) with post-stroke upper limb spasticity presenting for routine spasticity management, including treatment with BoNT-A. The primary outcome was goal attainment as assessed using goal-attainment scaling (GAS).

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Background: Individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP) exhibit altered brain function and trunk muscle activation.

Aim: This study examined the effects of sling exercises on pain, function, and corticomuscular coherence (CMC) in healthy adults and individuals with CLBP.

Methods: Eight individuals with CLBP and 15 healthy adults received sling exercise training for 6 weeks.

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This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of an electroacupuncture-like magnetic therapy (ELMT) and conventional transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). A prospective randomized controlled trial in single-centre was conducted. Thirty-four CTS patients confirmed by electrodiagnostic study were randomized into TENS or ELMT group and completed a six-week treatment program.

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With the development of science and technology, people are trying to use robots to assist in stroke rehabilitation training. This study aims to analyze the result of the formative test to provide the orientation of upper limb rehabilitation robot design optimization. We invited 21 physical therapists (PTs) and eight occupational therapists (OTs) who had no experience operating any upper limb rehabilitation robots before, and 4 PTs and 1 OT who had experience operating upper limb rehabilitation robots.

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Rationale: Diaphragmatic dysfunction is prevalent among intensive care unit patients. The use of Fu's subcutaneous needling (FSN) for respiratory problems is a new issue and few study has been conducted so far.

Patient Concerns: Despite conventional treatments, the patient continued using noninvasive ventilation after discharge from the intensive care unit due to diaphragmatic dysfunction.

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Purpose: This study aims to investigate the prevalence of presbyphonia among older adults who report voice complaints.

Method: We conducted a systematic search of five medical databases to identify studies that reported on presbyphonia as the cause of voice disorders in older adults. The pooled prevalence was calculated using random-effects models and presented as percentages with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

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Fu's subcutaneous needling (FSN), an invented acupuncture technique from traditional Chinese medicine, is used worldwide for pain relief. However, the mechanisms of action are still not fully understood. During FSN treatment, the FSN needle is inserted and retained in the subcutaneous tissues for a long duration with a swaying movement.

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The SARS-CoV-2 virus has caused a public health crisis globally. Against the backdrop of global resilience, studies have demonstrated the therapeutic value of home gardening as a measure to strengthen human health. However, there is a lack of comparative studies on its benefits across countries.

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Postsurgical gastroparesis syndrome is a syndrome of significantly delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction after surgery. We presented a case of 69-year-old male patient who suffered from progressive nausea, vomiting and stomach fullness, with a bloating abdomen ten days after laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Conventional treatments such as gastrointestinal decompression, gastric acid suppression therapy and intravenous nutritional support were administrated, but there were no obvious improvements in nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension of this patient.

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Purpose: Voice disorders significantly impair the ability to communicate effectively and reduce the quality of life in older adults; however, its prevalence has not been well established. The aim of our research was to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of voice disorders among the older population.

Method: Five medical databases were systematically searched for studies that reported the prevalence of voice disorders in older adults.

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Sensory afferent inputs play an important role in neuromuscular functions. Subsensory level noise electrical stimulation enhances the sensitivity of peripheral sensory system and improves lower extremity motor function. The current study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of noise electrical stimulation on proprioceptive senses and grip force control, and whether there are associated neural activities in the central nervous system.

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Fu's subcutaneous needling (FSN) is a new acupuncture and dry needling technique based on traditional Chinese medicine. It rapidly produces long-lasting effects in soft tissue injuries, particularly in painful musculoskeletal conditions, by providing stimulation primarily in the subcutaneous area. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease in adults worldwide and is often accompanied by a painful syndrome of structural changes in the peripheral joints of the knee.

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Background: Coordinated control between the bilateral ankle joints plays an important role in performing daily life functions, such as walking and running. However, few studies have explored the impact of stroke on movement disorders that decrease the coordination control of the bilateral extremities and may decrease daily activities that require coordination control of the bilateral ankles. This study aimed to investigate the coordination control of the bilateral ankles using a novel bilateral ankle measurement system and evaluate the relationship of bilateral movement coordination control deficits with motor and functional performances of the lower extremities in patients with stroke.

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Mechanisms underlying exercise-induced muscle fatigue and recovery are dependent on peripheral changes at the muscle level and improper control of motoneurons by the central nervous system. In this study, we analyzed the effects of muscle fatigue and recovery on the neuromuscular network through the spectral analysis of electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) signals. A total of 20 healthy right-handed volunteers performed an intermittent handgrip fatigue task.

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