This study was supported by a grant from the Science and Technology Development Fund of the Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (20HL01) and the Sichuan Province cadre health research project (2023-505).&#160;This study was supported by a grant from the Sichuan Provincial Cadre Health Department (Chuan Gan Yan 2023-505).

This study strictly adheres to the principle of ethical respect, beneficence, and justice. There were 30 subjects in each group, a total of 90 cases. This subject was approved by the ethics committee of the Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2021KL-040). Informed consent was obtained from patients included in this study.
1. Study subjects
<ol>
	<li>Select 3 communities in Chengdu using the convenience sampling method.</li>
	<li>Recruit patients with T2DM peripheral neuropathy from three communities.</li>
	<li>Use the following inclusion criteria.
	<ol>
		<li>Include patients of age 40-75.</li>
		<li>Include patients diagnosed with DPN.</li>
		<li>Include patients who can perform moderate-intensity aerobic exercises.</li>
		<li>Include patients who do not use any other complementary or integrative therapies during the study period.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Exclude patients with the following conditions: neurological conditions caused by other conditions, such as cervical and lumbar spondylosis, cerebrovascular illness, Guillain-Barr&#233; syndrome, and vasculopathy; pregnant or lactating women; the inability of mental anomalies to cooperate.</li>
	<li>Draw lots to assign patients from the three communities at random to the control group (CG), the Tai Chi group (TCG), and the mindfulness and Tai Chi group (MTCG).</li>
</ol>
2. Method 1: Practice methods of the CG
<ol>
	<li>Conduct 3 collective health education sessions, each lasting 40 min. 
	&#8203;NOTE: The health education content mainly consisted of diabetes diet, exercise, medication, blood glucose monitoring, foot care, and prevention and care of foot complications12. Three groups conduct health education separately.</li>
</ol>
3. Method 2: Practice methods of the TCG
<ol>
	<li>Select a public, quiet area to practice one of the 24 style simplified Tai Chi33. 
	NOTE: Implementation methods: It was divided into 3 parts: warm-up, training, and relaxation. The focused exercise was performed 3 times a week for 60 min each for 12 weeks.</li>
	<li>Instruct the participants to complete two sets of adductor (i.e., internal rotation), abductor (i.e., external rotation), hamstring (i.e., single stiff leg forward bending stretch), gluteal (i.e., hip flexion and extension), and ankle-oriented (i.e., ankle rotation) dynamic stretching exercises for 10 min, as part of a warm-up preparation exercise34.</li>
	<li>Under the direction of Tai Chi instructors, let the participants perform Tai Chi movements to Tai Chi music for 40 min. 
	NOTE: The movements of the Tai Chi include commencing from part the wild horse&#39;s mane on both sides, white crane spreads its wings, brush knee and twist step on both sides, play pipa, repulse monkey, grasp the bird&#39;s tail, single whip, wave hands like clouds, high pat on horse, kick with right heel, strike opponent&#39;s ears with both fists, turn and kick with left heel, snake creeps down, jade lady weaves shuttles, needle at sea bottom, flash the arm turn, deflect downward, parry and punch, cross hands and closing form33.</li>
	<li>Do upper and lower limb relaxation exercises and breathing adjustment exercises for 10 min as a relaxation exercise35. 
	&#8203;NOTE: First, stand and repeatedly shake shoulders and arms. Then beat and massage legs. Finally, sit and adjust the breathing pattern.</li>
</ol>
4. Method 3: Practice methods of the MTCG
<ol>
	<li>Choose an open and quiet place to spread Yoga mats to sit. 
	NOTE: Mindfulness training combined with Tai Chi practice was performed 3 times a week for 60 min each for 12 week sessions. Subjects were encouraged to adhere to mindfulness exercises daily at home. The aim is to integrate mindfulness into daily life.</li>
	<li>Start mindfulness training combined with Tai Chi. 
	NOTE: The specific training arrangement is shown in Table 1.
	<ol>
		<li>Mindfulness training combined with Tai Chi-specific practice methods
		<ol>
			<li>Mindfulness meditation:
			<ol>
				<li>Sit on Yoga mats.</li>
				<li>Slowly inhale and exhale 3-4 deep breaths.</li>
				<li>Feel the air entering the nose, filling the chest and abdomen, and leaving the body as exhaled.</li>
				<li>Adjust the breathing rhythm back to normal. Do not try to control breathing.</li>
				<li>Adjust the breathing rhythm back to normal. Do not try to control breathing.</li>
				<li>Pay attention to the things such as breathing, body, voice, thoughts, and emotions, slowly relaxing the body.</li>
			</ol>
			</li>
			<li>Mindfulness body scan:
			<ol>
				<li>Supine on yoga mats with legs naturally apart, eyes barely closed, and arms naturally seated without touching the body.</li>
				<li>Pay attention to how the complete body feels, from the toes to the brain. Choose to sit to prevent falling asleep when doing mindfulness body scanning exercises.</li>
			</ol>
			</li>
			<li>Mindfulness movement (Tai Chi):
			<ol>
				<li>Focus on each movement of Tai Chi. 
				NOTE: In Tai Chi practice, use gentle language to guide the practitioner to feel the pressure and relaxation brought by the alternating contraction and relaxation of the leg muscles and feel the sensation of contact between the feet and the ground.</li>
				<li>Try to maintain a state of mindfulness at all times as much as possible.</li>
				<li>Feel stress and relaxation as the leg muscles alternately contract and relax. At the same time, feel the sensation of the feet touching the ground.</li>
			</ol>
			</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>End activities
	<ol>
		<li>Do upper and lower limb relaxation exercises and breathing adjustment exercises for 10 min as a relaxation exercise35. 
		&#8203;NOTE: First, stand and repeatedly shake shoulders and arms. Then beat and massage legs. Finally, sit and adjust breathing.</li>
		<li>Sit in meditation without making any judgments about the various thoughts that enter the mind, and accept these concepts always.</li>
		<li>Convert each daily task, such as brushing the teeth, showering, or cooking, into a mindfulness exercise.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
5. Collect information
<ol>
	<li>Select data collection staff and carry out unified training. 
	NOTE: Collect data before and after the intervention, respectively. Data collectors were solely responsible for data collection and were blinded to group allocation to reduce data collector subjectivity bias.
	<ol>
		<li>Collect data for Toronto clinical scoring system (TCSS)36, visual simulation scale (VAS)37, mindfulness and attention awareness scale (MAAS)38, diabetes-specific quality of life scale (DSQL)39, and serum tumor necrosis factor-&#945;(TNF-&#945;) levels.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Before the study begins, debate and decide on the detailed collecting criteria for each indicator by the research team members.</li>
	<li>Thoroughly explain to the subjects what the scale means, what each item means, and how to use it.</li>
	<li>Help the participants get into position, do physical evaluations, and record in detail.</li>
	<li>Collect the blood samples from the participants at neighborhood hospitals, then send them immediately to the lab.</li>
	<li>Promptly check the accuracy and completeness of the information gathered.</li>
</ol>
6. Statistical analysis
<ol>
	<li>Collect and analyze data using any statistical analysis software. 
	NOTE: In this study, SPSS 24.0 was used.</li>
	<li>Depict data by mean &#177; standard error of mean, frequency, or composition ratio.</li>
	<li>Use chi-square test, ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis H test, paired t-test, and Wilcoxon signed rank test.</li>
	<li>Take readings at least three times at all time points for each sample.</li>
</ol>

Tai Chi with Mindfulness Training to Manage Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Many previous studies have reported how to apply Tai Chi to treat and rehabilitate chronic diseases40,41. Although Tai Chi has shown positive effects in the treatment and rehabilitation of chronic diseases, truly achieving physical and mental exercise is vital to the enhanced effects of Tai Chi. This study combined Tai Chi with mindfulness training, which successfully improved the practice effectiveness of Tai Chi and indeed achieved physical and mental movement....

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a serious health concern globally, affecting millions of people worldwide1. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) reveals that the prevalence of DM could increase up to 12.2% by 20452. Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) accounts for about 90% of DM2. Patients with T2DM, particularly those who struggle to control their blood glucose levels, are likely to suffer from adverse complications, including macrovascular disease, microangiopathy, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN)3. DPN is a prevalent microvascular complication, with at least 50% of DM patients showing DPN signs and symptoms over time4. Unfortunately, DPN is often ignored, and the actual figures of patients suffering are much higher than reported in most cases2.
Patients with poor glycemic control are prone to developing DPN with an insidious onset. The initial symptoms of DPN are often unremarkable, which makes it easy for patients to overlook the condition. When obvious symptoms and functional impairment appear, irreversible neurological damage has been caused5. DPN has a complex clinical presentation. Patients suffer from long-term metabolic disturbances and oxidative stress damage. This can result in symmetrical limb numbness, pain, or paresthesia6,7. As the disease progresses, neurological and vascular injuries are further aggravated, eventually leading to irreversible tissue damage8. The incidence of diabetic foot ulcers and amputations is associated with mortality from DPN9. In addition, as symptoms of DPN often persist, many patients experience depression, sleep disturbances, and activity limitations, leading to a decrease in overall quality of life and even disability10.
Currently, lifestyle interventions (including exercise, diet, psychotherapy, etc.) are well recognized as effective treatments for DPN patients in addition to glycemic control and pharmacotherapy11. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), &#34;valuable exercise is beneficial to all patients with DM&#34;. For example, it can improve glycolipid metabolism and insulin resistance1. Studies have shown that exercise can improve metabolic, vascular damage, and neurological function in patients with DPN12,13. However, patients with DPN are reluctant to exercise due to a lack of motility, pain, and fear of foot injury.
The diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) patients&#39; physical discomfort and limitations on daily activities, according to the Fear-Avoidance Model (FAM), can reduce their capacity for social interaction, which in turn can contribute to negative emotional reactions like anxiety and depression14. Conversely, negative emotions can affect glycemic control and increase the rate of complications15,16,17,18. Therefore, mind-body therapy is recommended for DPN, which focuses on the interaction between thoughts, emotions, bodies, and behaviors. The aim is to achieve homeostasis of the body and mind.
Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese mind-body exercise. Tai Chi has received much attention from scholars worldwide because of its unique exercise modes and therapeutic effects on diseases. Multiple high-quality clinical trials published in international journals have confirmed the effectiveness of Tai Chi for the treatment and rehabilitation of chronic diseases such as Parkinson&#39;s disease19, stroke20, metabolic syndrome21, knee arthritis22, and breast cancer23. Tai Chi belongs to a class of moderate-intensity aerobic exercises that uses continuous body spiral exercise and regulated breathing to improve aerobic capacity, muscle strength, balance, and exercise capacity. Traditional Chinese medicine holds that Tai Chi can balance yin and Yang, run Qi and blood, and relax meridians24. It is a suitable form of exercise for patients with DPN. Many studies have found that Tai Chi improves insulin resistance and blood lipids, and reduces the incidence of anxiety and depression25,26. In addition, Tai Chi could improve quality of life and decrease body mass index for patients with T2DM 27.
Mindfulness training is another prominent mind-body intervention that focuses on cultivating an intentional, moment-to-moment, nonjudgmental awareness of experience28. It helps to enhance attention to the present experience, including thoughts, feelings, breathing, and body sensations. Zeidan&#39;s research found that mindfulness training could make patients more objectively evaluate discomfort and improve self-regulation29. Wielgosz&#39;s study showed that the biggest problem of exercise intervention was poor compliance, which could be solved by adding mindfulness training to exercise30. Mindfulness training combined with exercise could effectively improve patients&#39; willingness to move, increase the time and frequency of movement, and promote patients&#39; perceiving body sensations in activity.
Meanwhile, exercise combined with mindfulness training can expand patients&#39; vision and enhance their understanding of themselves. This helps the body to become more flexible, relaxed, and balanced, effectively relieving the negative experience of patients. The concept of mindfulness training is consistent with the idea of &#34;unity of form and spirit&#34; of Tai Chi. Most patients with DPN often receive misinformation from the feet provided by the brain due to impaired sensory function31. Mindfulness training can enhance the effect of movement through psychological regulation and nervous regulation32. Therefore, this study aims to verify the feasibility of mindfulness training combined with Tai Chi and explore its effect on DPN patients.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>SPSS 24.0&#160;</td>
			<td>IBM</td>
			<td>version&#160;24.0&#160;</td>
			<td>Statistical analysis</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

effects of mindfulness training combined with tai chi in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most prevalent chronic complications of diabetes. One of its crucial therapy approaches is mind-body exercise. Recently, various exercise modalities, including stepping, resistance, aerobics, balance, and whole-body vibration, were investigated to construct the most suitable form of exercise for patients with DPN. The purpose of this study is to describe a standard protocol for mindfulness training combined with Tai Chi. The convenience sampling method was used to select 90 patients with DPN who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria from three communities. The three communities were randomly divided into the control group (CG), the Tai Chi group (TCG), and the mindfulness training combined with the Tai Chi group (MTCG). The CG was given routine health education guidance once a month, a total of three times. Based on the CG, the TCG practiced Tai Chi three times; the MTCG received mindfulness training combined with Tai Chi exercise a week for a total of 12 weeks. Before the intervention and 12 weeks after the intervention, the clinical symptoms, neurological function, attention awareness level, pain, and quality of life of the subjects were evaluated by Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS), Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Visual analog scale (VAS), Diabetes Specificity Quality of life Scale (DSQL) and tumor necrosis factor-&#945;. Overall, the addition of mindfulness training to Tai Chi effectively enhances the exercise effects of Tai Chi. Therefore, mindfulness training combined with Tai Chi is worthy of promotion and application.

In this study, 7 individuals failed to complete the trial. All necessary data were gathered from 83 individuals who completed the trial. There were 38 women and 45 men. The age ranged from 44 to 75 years old, with an average age of (60.57 + 8.76). DM might last anywhere between 4 and 22 years, with an average of 14.10 + 4.85 years. DPN lasted anywhere from one and fifteen years, with a mean of 5.76 + 2.78 years. The general data of the three groups did not differ significantly (p&#62;0.05).
Af...

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Author Spotlight: Integrating Tai Chi with Mindfulness Training to Achieve an Effective Mind-Body Exercise 

When studying exercise for treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), achieving mind-body exercise is essential. This study proposes a protocol for mindfulness training combined with Tai Chi to achieve mind-body exercise.

Effects of Mindfulness Training Combined with Tai Chi in Patients with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most prevalent chronic complications of diabetes. One of its crucial therapy approaches is mind-body ...

Our research focused on the Chinese traditional sports Tai Chi. We are exploring the possibility and the effectiveness of mindfully training combined with Tai Chi as the mind-body exercise for treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Ensuring that subjects complete three intensive training sessions per week is an important challenge in this study.Our research show that Tai Chi can be well-integrated with mindfulness training. Our outline the steps to integrate mindfulness training with Tai Chi. It will pave the way for the future development of Tai Chi, making this traditional sports more engaging and beneficial for practitioner.In the future, we will focus on the application of mindfulness training combined with Tai Chi in other chronic diseases. We will also make efforts to promote mindfulness training combined with Tai Chi.

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1.3K Views.  Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Our research focused on the Chinese traditional sports Tai Chi. We are exploring the possibility and the effectiveness of mindfully training combined with Tai Chi as the mind-body exercise for treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Ensuring that subjects complete three intensive training sessions per week is an important challenge in this study.Our research show that Tai Chi can be well-integrated with mindfulness training. Our outline the steps to integrate mindfulness training with...

Video: Author Spotlight: Integrating Tai Chi with Mindfulness Training to Achieve an Effective Mind-Body Exercise 

Sequencing of Bacterial Microflora in Peripheral Blood: our Experience with HIV-infected Patients

The healthy gastrointestinal tract is physiologically colonized by a large variety of commensal microbes that influence the development 
	of the humoral and cellular mucosal immune system1,2. 
 Microbiota is shielded from the immune system via a strong mucosal barrier. Infections and antibiotics are known to alter both the normal 
	gastrointestinal tract barrier and the composition of resident bacteria, which may result in possible immune abnormalities3.
HIV causes a breach in the gastrointestinal barrier with progressive failure of mucosal immunity and leakage into the systemic circulation of bacterial bioproducts, such as lipopolysaccharide and 
	bacterial DNA fragments, which contribute to systemic immune activation4-7. Microbial translocation is implicated in HIV/AIDS immunopathogenesis and response to therapy 4,8.
We aimed to characterise the composition of bacteria translocating in peripheral blood of HIV-infected patients. To pursue our aim we set up a PCR reaction for the panbacteric 16S ribosomial gene 
	followed by a sequencing analysis.
Briefly, whole blood from both HIV-infected and healthy subjects is used. Given that healthy individuals present normal intestinal homeostasis no translocation of microflora is expected in 
	these patients. Following whole blood collection by venipuncture and plasma separation, DNA is extracted from plasma and used to perform a broad range PCR reaction for the panbacteric 
	16S ribosomial gene9. Following PCR product purification, cloning and sequencing analyses are performed.

Our experiment will show how to perform a sequencing analysis of bacterial species translocating in peripheral blood of HIV positive patients.

The healthy gastrointestinal tract is physiologically colonized by a large variety of commensal microbes that influence the development 
	of the humoral ...

Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to the general population, and this is only partially explained by traditional CVD risk factors. Vascular dysfunction is an important non-traditional risk factor, characterized by vascular endothelial dysfunction (most commonly assessed as impaired endothelium-dependent dilation [EDD]) and stiffening of the large elastic arteries. While various techniques exist to assess EDD and large elastic artery stiffness, the most commonly used are brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMDBA) and aortic pulse-wave velocity (aPWV), respectively. Both of these noninvasive measures of vascular dysfunction are independent predictors of future cardiovascular events in patients with and without kidney disease. Patients with CKD demonstrate both impaired FMDBA, and increased aPWV. While the exact mechanisms by which vascular dysfunction develops in CKD are incompletely understood, increased oxidative stress and a subsequent reduction in nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability are important contributors. Cellular changes in oxidative stress can be assessed by collecting vascular endothelial cells from the antecubital vein and measuring protein expression of markers of oxidative stress using immunofluorescence. We provide here a discussion of these methods to measure FMDBA, aPWV, and vascular endothelial cell protein expression.

The degree of vascular dysfunction and contributing physiological mechanisms can be assessed in patients with chronic kidney disease by measuring brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, aortic pulse-wave velocity, and vascular endothelial cell protein expression.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to the general population, and this ...

Fertility Preservation in Patients with Severe Ovarian Dysfunction

Ovarian function progressively declines during aging and in some pathophysiological conditions including karyotype abnormality, autoimmune diseases, chemo- and radiation-therapies, as well as ovarian surgeries. In unmarried women with severe ovarian dysfunction, fertility preservation is important for future pregnancies. Although oocyte cryopreservation is an established method for fertility preservation, these patients could only preserve a limited number of oocytes even after ovarian hyperstimulation, leading to repeated stimulations to ensure sufficient oocytes to guarantee future pregnancy. To solve this issue, we have recently developed a drug-free in vitro activation (IVA) procedure, which enable us to stimulate early stages of ovarian follicles to develop to the preantral follicle stage. These preantral follicles can respond to the unique protocol of gonadotropin stimulation, resulting in increased number of retrieved oocytes per ovarian stimulation for cryopreservation. The drug-free IVA comprised from the surgical approach and ovarian stimulation. We removed a part of cortex from one or both ovaries from patients under laparoscopic surgery. The ovarian cortical tissues were cut into small cubes to disrupt the Hippo signaling pathway and stimulate the development of early stage follicles. These cubes were grafted orthotropically into remaining ovaries as well as beneath the serosa of both Fallopian tubes. We have already published the surgical procedure of the drug-free IVA and the protocol of subsequent ovarian stimulation, but herein we present the details of laboratory methods required for drug-free IVA.

We present details of laboratory procedures for drug-free in vitro activation (IVA) of ovarian follicles for patients with severe ovarian dysfunction. This method could increase the number of retrievable oocytes per ovarian hyperstimulation and benefit fertility preservation for those patients.

Ovarian function progressively declines during aging and in some pathophysiological conditions including karyotype abnormality, autoimmune diseases, ...

Acupoint Application Combined with Acupoint Massage for Treating Constipation in a Patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and frequent disease in elderly patients, with a tendency for progressive exacerbation. Constipation that reduces the quality of life and triggers the risk of diseases is a common concomitant symptom in patients with COPD. Currently, western medical treatment does not achieve the desired results for patients. A high recurrence rate accompanies it, whereas traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history and rich experience in treating chronic diseases. Both acupoint application and acupoint massage are characteristic therapies of TCM, with minor side effects, high safety, simple operation, and outstanding advantages. They are effective in treating constipation for patients with COPD and are considered an ideal alternative therapy for patients with chronic constipation. The purpose of this article is to introduce the method of acupoint application combined with acupoint massage for the treatment of constipation in patients with COPD, including the selection of points, items, treatment time, and operation procedure.

Here we demonstrate acupoint application combined with acupoint massage for treating constipation in a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and frequent disease in elderly patients, with a tendency for progressive exacerbation. ...

Establishment of the KOA Model in Rabbits Using the Modified Videman Method

Application of Acupotomy in a Knee Osteoarthritis Model in Rabbit

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the most frequently encountered diseases in the orthopedic department, which seriously reduces the quality of life of people with KOA. Among several pathogenic factors, the biomechanical imbalance of the knee joint is one of the main causes of KOA. Acupotomology believes that restoring the mechanical balance of the knee joint is the key to treating KOA. Clinical studies have shown that acupotomy can effectively reduce pain and improve knee mobility by reducing adhesion, contracture of soft tissues, and stress concentration points in muscles and tendons around the knee joint. 
In this protocol, we used the modified Videman method to establish a KOA model by immobilizing the left hindlimb in a straight position. We have outlined the method of operation and the precautions related to acupotomy in detail and evaluated the efficacy of acupotomy in conjunction with the theory of "Modulating Muscles and Tendons to Treat Bone Disorders" through the detection of the mechanical properties of quadriceps femoris and tendon, as well as cartilage mechanics and morphology. The results show that acupotomy has a protective effect on cartilage by adjusting the mechanical properties of the soft tissues around the knee joint, improving the cartilage stress environment, and delaying cartilage degeneration.

Author Spotlight: Investigating the Mechanism of Action of Acupotomy in Treating Knee Osteoarthritis

In this protocol, a knee osteoarthritis model was prepared using the modified Videman method, and the operation procedures and precautions of acupotomy are detailed. The effectiveness of acupotomy has been demonstrated by testing the mechanical properties of quadriceps femoris and tendon and the mechanical and morphological properties of cartilage.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the most frequently encountered diseases in the orthopedic department, which seriously reduces the quality of life of ...

Enhancing Stroke Rehabilitation with Virtual Reality-Based Occupational Training

Cognitive Function and Upper Limb Rehabilitation Training Post-Stroke Using a Digital Occupational Training System

Stroke rehabilitation often requires frequent and intensive therapy to improve functional recovery. Virtual reality (VR) technology has shown the potential to meet these demands by providing engaging and motivating therapy options. The digital occupational training system is a VR application that utilizes cutting-edge technologies, including multi-touch screens, virtual reality, and human-computer interaction, to offer diverse training techniques for advanced cognitive capacity and hand-eye coordination abilities. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of this program in enhancing cognitive function and upper extremity rehabilitation in stroke patients. The training and assessment consist of five cognitive modules covering perception, attention, memory, logical reasoning, and calculation, along with hand-eye coordination training. This research indicates that after eight weeks of training, the digital occupational training system can significantly improve cognitive function, daily living skills, attention, and self-care abilities in stroke patients. This software can be employed as a time-saving and clinically effective rehabilitation aid to complement traditional one-on-one occupational therapy sessions. In summary, the digital occupational training system shows promise and offers potential financial benefits as a tool to support the functional recovery of stroke patients.

Author Spotlight: Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients With a Digital Occupational Training System

The current protocol outlines how the VR-based digital occupational training system enhances the rehabilitation of patients with cognitive impairment and upper limb dysfunction following a stroke.

Stroke rehabilitation often requires frequent and intensive therapy to improve functional recovery. Virtual reality (VR) technology has shown the ...

Enhancing Melasma Treatment with Tranexamic Acid and Microneedling Therapy

Roller Microneedle Combined with Tranexamic Acid Solution in Treating Melasma

Melasma, a common, acquired facial pigmentation skin disorder, presents a straightforward clinical diagnosis but poses challenges in terms of effective management. The precise underlying causes of melasma remain elusive, and the current therapeutic approaches predominantly encompass pharmaceutical and laser interventions, with limited efficacy. Transdermal administration stands as a prevalent treatment method for melasma, often facilitated by the application of microneedles. Among these, tranexamic acid emerges as a frequently employed therapeutic agent. A subset of microneedles, known as roller microneedles, plays a significant role in this approach by delicately puncturing the epidermis with multiple fine needles, synergizing with drug delivery. This methodology not only enhances drug absorption but also augments treatment efficacy while minimizing tissue trauma. These attributes forecast promising avenues for the treatment of melasma. This article primarily introduces the combination of roller microneedle and tranexamic acid solution in the treatment of melasma and demonstrates the efficacy of roller microneedle and tranexamic acid solution in the treatment of melasma through clinical cases.

Author Spotlight: Non-Surgical Treatment of Melasma&#8211; Microneedling with Tranexamic Acid

This article presents a protocol to conduct the treatment of melasma by using roller microneedles in combination with tranexamic acid solution and evaluate the efficacy.

Melasma, a common, acquired facial pigmentation skin disorder, presents a straightforward clinical diagnosis but poses challenges in terms of effective ...

Exploring T2DM Exercise Interventions: A Static Training Device for Mice

Static Strength Training Method for Type 2 Diabetic Mice

The treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major difficulty in improving patient health. Exercise is one of the main interventions for T2DM. Static strength training is one of the key forms of traditional sports in China. Research shows that static strength training is an effective clinical method for T2DM intervention, but there is no experimental device suitable for static training in mice. One of the difficulties in moving from clinical to basic research is to design appropriate experimental devices. In order to further study the mechanism of static training intervention in T2DM, a simple method for making a static training device for mice is introduced in this paper. This device has the advantages of simple operation, cheap material, and high feasibility. Previous studies conducted under this protocol have shown that static training can effectively reduce blood glucose levels and improve the mitochondrial function of skeletal muscle cells in T2DM mice. The purpose of introducing this device is to promote research on the mechanism of traditional exercise in the intervention of T2DM and to lay a foundation for the quantitative intervention of exercise.

Author Spotlight: Advancing Diabetes Research with Static Exercise Training in Mice

This protocol provides a simple method of making static training equipment for mice. The device maintains the muscle isometric contraction of the limbs of mice so as to verify the intervention effect of traditional exercise on type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and provides new exercise therapy for the clinical treatment of T2DM.

The treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major difficulty in improving patient health. Exercise is one of the main interventions for T2DM. ...

Candida Culture and Strain Identification in Patients with pSS

Combined Intervention Training for Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy 

Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Action Observation Training in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy

This study presents the results of a randomized controlled trial utilizing a 2 x 2 factorial design, comparing the effects of repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and action observation training (AOT) intervention methods on spasticity, balance function, and motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy (SCP). The study aimed to investigate whether the combination of the two interventions produces greater improvement than either treatment alone or conventional treatment.
Subject children in this study, in accordance with the random number table, were randomly divided into four groups: conventional group, rTMS group, AOT group, and combined intervention group. All the children in the four groups received conventional rehabilitation treatment, on the basis of which they were given different therapeutic programs of rehabilitation measures. The conventional group had no other treatment while the rTMS group received rTMS, the AOT group received AOT and the combined intervention group was given a combined intervention of rTMS and AOT. They were trained five days per week for 12 weeks. Changes in scores of spasticity, balance function, walking ability, and gross motor function were assessed at the onset of the training program and upon completion of 12 weeks of treatment.
A total of 64 Children with SCP completed the study, and their results were analyzed. The total gross motor function efficiency of 87.50% in the experimental group was significantly higher than that of 25.00% in the conventional group, 62.50% in the rTMS group, and 68.75% in the AOT group. The preliminary results showed that combined intervention of rTMS and AOT could effectively improve the balance function and motor function of children, and the therapeutic effect of the combined intervention was better than that of conventional treatment, rTMS or AOT alone. Finally, clinical efficacy and optimal treatment parameters of the combined intervention were clarified to provide a clinical basis for therapists to conduct lower limb function rehabilitation for children with SCP.

Author Spotlight: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Movement Observation in Cerebral Palsy

Children with spastic cerebral palsy (SCP) have limb spasticity, movement disorders, and abnormal posture due to injury to the cerebral cortex motor area, resulting in inability to stand and walk normally. Therefore, alleviating limb spasticity and enhancing gross motor function in children with SCP have become important therapeutic goals.

This study presents the results of a randomized controlled trial utilizing a 2 x 2 factorial design, comparing the effects of repeated transcranial ...