Visceral condition assessment through digital tongue image analysis.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has long utilized tongue diagnosis as a crucial method for assessing internal visceral condition. This study aims to modernize this ancient practice by developing an automated system for analyzing tongue images in relation to the five organs, corresponding to the heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney-collectively known as the "five viscera" in TCM. We propose a novel tongue image partitioning algorithm that divides the tongue into four regions associated with these specific organs, according to TCM principles.

Acceptability of self-administered acupressure for knee osteoarthritis in middle-aged and older adults: A mixed-method secondary analysis.

Objectives: To evaluate the acceptability of self-administered acupressure for Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) among middle-aged and older adults.

Methods: This is a mixed-method acceptability evaluation was embedded in a randomized controlled trial on self-administered acupressure for KOA. Participants received two 2-h training sessions on self-administered acupressure and were instructed to practice twice daily for 12 weeks.

Postoperative Electroacupuncture Boosts Cognitive Function Recovery after Laparotomy in Mice.

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common complication that affects memory, executive function, and processing speed postoperatively. The pathogenesis of POCD is linked to excessive neuroinflammation and pre-existing Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. Previous studies have shown that acupuncture improves cognition in the early phase of POCD.

Getting to Know the Effect Theory of Traditional Pediatric in the View of Modern Medicine in Three Minor Perspectives.

Pediatric is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) modality that is well-accepted and applied in China currently. As a traditional medicine, it is based on TCM theories and clinical experience. In the TCM area, the "self-healing" system of the human body includes two aspects: self-regulation and adaptation, through which pediatric could rectify dysfunctional states and guide the transition back to homeostasis.

Traditional Chinese medicine interventions based on meridian theory for pain relief in patients with primary dysmenorrhea: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Objective: To determine the comparative effects and safety of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) interventions based on meridian theory for pain relief in patients with primary dysmenorrhea (PD).

Methods: This is a systematic review with network meta-analysis. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing meridian-based TCM interventions with waitlist, placebo, western medicine, and conventional therapies for PD pain.

The effectiveness of exercise in alleviating long COVID symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Long COVID is prevalent in the general population. Exercise is a promising component of rehabilitation for long COVID patients.

Aim: This study examined the effects of exercise interventions on managing long COVID symptoms.

Pediatric massage therapy in infants and children under 5 years: An umbrella review of systematic reviews.

Objective: To systematically evaluate and synthesize quantitative evidence regarding the effects of pediatric massage in infants and children under five years.

Review Methods: We conducted searches in databases including MEDLINE, Embase, Health Technology Assessment Database, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Allied and Complementary Medicine, Embase, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, SinoMed, and CQVIP up to February 2024. Two reviewers independently screened articles, extracted data, and conducted quality appraisals on the included studies.

Actigraphic monitoring of sleep and circadian rest-activity rhythm in individuals with major depressive disorder or depressive symptoms: A meta-analysis.

Background: Disrupted sleep and rest-activity pattern are common clinical features in depressed individuals. This meta-analysis compared sleep and circadian rest-activity rhythms in people with major depressive disorder (MDD) or depressive symptoms and healthy controls.

Methods: Eligible studies were identified in five databases up to December 2023.

Effect of a Mindfulness and Motivational Interviewing-Oriented Physical-Psychological Integrative Intervention for Community-Dwelling Spinal Cord Injury Survivors: A Mixed-Methods Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a mindfulness and motivational interviewing-oriented physical-psychological integrated intervention in community-dwelling spinal cord injury (SCI) survivors.

Design: A mixed-methods randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Local organizations for handicapped in Hong Kong.

Views of Hong Kong Chinese medicine practitioners on the application of the "Chinese Medicine Anti-epidemic Plans" prepared by the Chinese medicine expert group of central authorities: a focus group study.

Background: Drawing on the extensive utilization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to combat COVID-19 in Mainland China, experts designed a series of TCM anti-epidemic strategies. This study aims to understand Hong Kong CM practitioners' application of and opinions on the "Chinese Medicine Anti-epidemic Plans."

Methods: Online focus group interviews were conducted, and purposive sampling was employed to invite 22 CM practitioners to voluntarily participate in three interview sessions.

Extending the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): The GRADE-TCM.

Aim: To extend and form the "Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation in Traditional Chinese Medicine" (GRADE-TCM).

Methods: Methodologies were systematically reviewed and analyzed concerning evidence-based TCM guidelines worldwide. A survey questionnaire was developed based on the literature review and open-end expert interviews.

A longitudinal study on the change in sleep across three waves of the COVID-19 outbreaks in Hong Kong.

Unlabelled: In the year 2020, Hong Kong experienced four COVID-19 epidemic waves. The present study aimed to examine the transition of sleep disturbances and explore its associated factors across the later three epidemic waves. Among the 1138 respondents who participated in an online survey at the second wave (T1, April 2020), 338 and 378 participants also completed a follow-up at the third (T2, August 2020) and fourth waves (T3, December 2020), respectively.

Sleep quality among non-hospitalized COVID-19 survivors: a national cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Insomnia is a common symptom after COVID-19 infection; however, its current evidence was among hospitalized COVID-19 patients. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of insomnia and identify its association with depression and anxiety among non-hospitalized COVID-19 recovered population.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of 1,056 COVID-19 survivors within 6 months of initial COVID-19 infection and retrieved did not require hospitalization.

A group-based transdiagnostic sleep and circadian treatment for major depressive disorder: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Sleep and circadian disturbance is highly comorbid with a range of psychological disorders, especially major depressive disorder (MDD). In view of the complexity of sleep and circadian problems in MDD, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a group-based transdiagnostic intervention for sleep and circadian dysfunction (TranS-C) for improving depressive symptoms and sleep and circadian functions.

Method: One hundred fifty-two adults diagnosed with comorbid MDD and sleep and circadian dysfunctions were randomized into TranS-C group treatment (TranS-C; = 77) or care as usual (CAU; = 75) control group.

Effects of mind-body exercise on physical and psychosocial well-being of stroke patients: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

This study conducted pairwise and network meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of three mind-body exercise interventions (Tai Chi, Qigong, and yoga) on physical capacity, psychological well-being, and quality of life in stroke patients. The research encompassed 30 studies involving 2107 participants and utilized the Risk of Bias 2.0 tool for quality assessment.

Directional associations among real-time activity, sleep, mood, and daytime symptoms in major depressive disorder using actigraphy and ecological momentary assessment.

Previous research has suggested that individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) experienced alterations in sleep and activity levels. However, the temporal associations among sleep, activity levels, mood, and daytime symptoms in MDD have not been fully investigated. The present study aimed to fill this gap by utilizing real-time data collected across time points and days.

The Role of Insomnia and Exercise in COVID-19 Worries for Psychological Distress in Hong Kong Chinese: A Moderated Mediation Model.

Objective: To examine the role of insomnia as a mediator between worrying and mental health and whether the association between worrying and insomnia is moderated by the levels of exercise frequency.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted during the fourth wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in Hong Kong ( = 988). Participants' insomnia, psychological distress, and exercise frequency were evaluated.

Tai Chi for the prophylaxis of episodic migraine: protocol of a non-inferiority randomized controlled trial with mechanism exploration.

Background: Migraine is a complex neurovascular disorder with considerable clinical, social and economic issues. Tai chi has the potential to be an alternative prophylactic treatment for migraine with high safety since the adverse effects and limited efficacy of available medications.

Aims: The proposed study aims to compare the prophylaxis efficacy of 24-week Tai Chi training on migraine attacks with the standard prophylactic medication; and to explore the mechanism of Tai Chi in preventing migraine attacks by analyzing the associations between changes of migraine attacks and changes of neurovascular functions and inflammatory makers.

Factors associated with severe depressive symptoms among Chinese secondary school students in Hong Kong: a large cross-sectional survey.

Background: Many adolescents were reported to have severe depressive symptoms, and a careful assessment of its correlates is essential for prevention and intervention programs. This study aimed to gain insight into the prevalence of severe depressive symptoms and its association with factors at four levels (individual, relationship, school and society) in a large sample of Hong Kong Chinese secondary school students.

Methods: Secondary school students from Secondary 1 through 7 were selected as participants using a cluster random sampling method.

Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia as an early intervention of mood disorders with comorbid insomnia: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of small-group nurse-administered cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTI) as an early intervention of mood disorders with comorbid insomnia.

Methods: A total of 200 patients with first-episode depressive or bipolar disorders and comorbid insomnia were randomized in a ratio of 1:1 to receiving 4-session CBTI or not in a routine psychiatric care setting. Primary outcome was Insomnia Severity Index.

Acupuncture for chemotherapy-associated insomnia in breast cancer patients: an assessor-participant blinded, randomized, sham-controlled trial.

Background: Insomnia is a highly prevalent symptom occurred during and post-chemotherapy. Acupuncture may have beneficial effects in the management of chemotherapy-associated insomnia. This study was conducted to determine the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in improving chemotherapy-associated insomnia in breast cancer patients.

Traditional Chinese medicine-based integrated health interventions for depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Some traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)-based integrated health interventions have been used for depression, but pooled efficacy remains unknown.

Aims And Objectives: This study aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy of TCM-based integrated health interventions for relieving depression.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.