Hung-Chou Chen

Taipei Medical University | TMU

Background: Aging is key to inclusion, and it should be taken into account when designing every place of human activity. However, the implementation of such guidelines often fails the human-centric aspiration as health and design domain interpretation gaps impede the suitable reading and implementation strategies. Purpose: This study aimed to un...

Background Single-row (SR) and double-row repair techniques have been described to treat rotator cuff tears. We present a novel surgical strategy of arthroscopic-assisted mini-open repair in which a locking-loop suture bridge (LLSB) is used. Purpose To compare the functional outcomes and repair integrity of LLSB technique to the SR technique for a...

The combination of mirror therapy (MT) and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been devised as an intervention method in stroke rehabilitation; however, few studies have investigated its efficacy in lower extremity motor function recovery. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we examined the effectiveness of combined MT and NMES...

Different body weight-supported gait-training strategies are available for improving ambulation in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). These include body weight-supported overground training (BWSOGT), body weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT), and robot-assisted gait training (RAGT). We conducted a network meta-analysis of randomised...

The critical shoulder angle (CSA) is associated with impingement and rotator cuff lesions, and ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection is effective for subacromial bursitis. However, because the efficacy of this treatment varies, this study investigated the effect of the CSA on the efficacy of corticosteroid injection in the subacromial space. P...

Objective There are different upper limb manual training protocols, namely constraint-induced movement therapy, modified constraint-induced movement therapy, hand–arm bimanual intensive training, hand–arm bimanual intensive training including lower extremity, action observation training, and mirror therapy, available for improving functional outcom...

Background The proportion of older adults and individuals with disabilities in the general population increases each year. Thus, clinical clerkships designed for physiotherapy interns should provide more than simply knowledge and skills. For such interns to be able to handle the requirements of their future jobs, clerkships must enable them to deve...

Background: Bladder dysfunction is a common non-motor disorder in Parkinson's disease (PD). This study attempted to determine the bladder dysfunction with disease progression in the PD rat model produced from unilateral/bilateral injections of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Methods: Cystometrographic (CMG) and external urethral sphincter electromyo...

Background: Robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) is a practical treatment that can complement conventional rehabilitation by providing high-intensity repetitive training for patients with stroke. RAGT systems are usually either of the end-effector or exoskeleton types. We developed a novel hybrid RAGT system that leverages the advantages of both ty...

Paired stimulation of the brain and spinal cord can remodel the central nervous tissue circuitry in an animal model to induce motor neuroplasticity. The effects of simultaneous stimulation vary according to the extent and severity of spinal cord injury. Therefore, our study aimed to determine the significant effects on an incomplete SCI rat brain a...

This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effect of phonophoresis when various gel types were used. Medline (using PubMed), EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were used to search for relevant studies from the date of their inception to June 28, 2021. We included studies that were randomized controll...

Objective: To investigate whether neuromuscular electrical stimulation improves mobility in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Scopus were searched for randomized controlled trials studying the effects of NMES on the lower limbs in children with spastic CP. Randomized controlled trials comparing the effe...

Intermittent theta burst (iTBS) powered by direct current stimulation (DCS) can safely be applied transcranially to induce neuroplasticity in the human and animal brain cortex. tDCS-iTBS is a special waveform that is used by very few studies, and its safety needs to be confirmed. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the safety of tDCS-iTBS in an animal...

Background: Dupilumab ameliorates the signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis (AD) and improves the patient's quality of life. Multiple-dose regimens of dupilumab have been applied by clinicians, but the efficacy of some regimens remains unclear. Objectives: The aim of the study was to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of multiple...

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of interferential current therapy (IFC) in patients with knee osteoarthritis. We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, ClinicalKey, and Scopus for relevant studies from their date of launch to March 22, 2022. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which...

Objective: To assess the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the upper extremities of patients with cerebral palsy. Design: We searched PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Scopus databases for randomized controlled trials examining the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the upper extremities of children with cerebral pal...

Mental simulation practices, such as motor imagery, action observation, and guided imagery, have been an intervention of interest in neurological and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Application of such practices to postoperative patients in orthopedics, particularly after total knee arthroplasty, has resulted in favorable physical function outcomes...

Background: Electrical stimulation has been employed as a safe and effective therapy for improving arm function after stroke. Contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation (CCFES) is a unique method that has progressed from application in small feasibility studies to implementation in several randomized controlled trials. However, n...

Background: With the annually increasing ratio of individuals with disabilities in an aged society, clinical clerkships for physiotherapy interns should provide more than just knowledge and skills. The cultivation of interns’ empathy and positive attitudes toward patients to meet future job requirements is essential. In this study, we explored the...

Objectives: This study assessed the effectiveness, compliance, and safety of dextrose prolotherapy for patients with knee osteoarthritis. Data sources: PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library Database, and the Scopus database from their inception to December 31, 2021. Methods: This study was conducted in accordance with the guidelines recommended...

Oxygen consumption (VO2) during strength training can be predicted through surface electromyography (sEMG) of local muscles. This research aimed to determine relations between VO2 and sEMG of upper and lower body muscles to predict VO2 from sEMG during moderate-intensity strength training exercises. Of the 12 participants recruited, 11 were divided...

Objectives Older adults with sarcopenic obesity have a higher risk of experiencing mobility difficulty. Additionally, sarcopenia and obesity are closely associated with knee osteoarthritis. This study investigated the associations of sarcopenia, obesity, and in combination of both with walking disability during postoperative rehabilitation in older...

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) has been recommended for managing pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The difference in therapeutic effects between radial shockwave characteristics (RaSW) and focused shockwave characteristics (FoSW) with different energy levels for KOA remains controversial. The purpose of this network meta-ana...

Introduction: Osteoporosis has been demonstrated to be a risk factor for rotator cuff retears after surgery; however, no studies have directly investigated the association between osteoporosis and the development of rotator cuff tears. To investigate whether osteoporosis is associated with an increased risk of rotator cuff tears. Materials and me...

Objective To investigate the effectiveness of functional electrical stimulation of the legs in patients with heart failure. Methods Data were obtained from PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases until August 12, 2021. We included randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effects of functional electrical stimulation applied to the leg...

Energy expenditure through metabolic equivalent (MET) prediction during resistance exercises in humans can be modeled by using cardiorespiratory parameters. In this study, we aimed to predict MET during six moderate-intensity resistance training sessions consisting of three different exercises. Eleven participants were recruited into two groups; an...

Background: Robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) is a practical treatment adjunctive to conventional rehabilitation to provide high-intensity repetitive training for patients with stroke. The robot models designed are usually either the end-effector type or the exoskeleton type. We developed a novel hybrid RAGT system that combines the advantages of...

Objective Rheumatoid arthritis and age are associated with high sarcopenia risk. Exercise is an effective treatment for preventing muscle mass loss in older adult populations. It remains unclear whether exercise affects muscle mass in people with rheumatoid arthritis. Thus, this meta-analysis investigated the effect of exercise on muscle mass gain...

Phonophoresis is an alternative treatment for knee osteoarthritis. However, evidence supporting the advantages of phonophoresis remains inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to illustrate the effect of phonophoresis. The PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases were searched for relevant studies from the date of...

Older adults with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) are at high risk of sarcopenia. Protein-rich nutritional composition supplementation (PS) combined with resistance exercise training (RET) improves muscle gains and facilitates physical activity in older adults. However, whether PS augments the effects of RET on muscle mass and PA in patients with KOA rem...

Energy expenditure during weight training exercises produces great fitness and health benefits for humans, but few studies have investigated energy expenditure directly during weight training. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to determine energy costs during three training sessions consisting of three different exercises. Ten participants were ra...

Aging and osteoarthritis are associated with high risk of muscle mass loss, which leads to physical disability; this loss can be effectively alleviated by diet (DI) and exercise (ET) interventions. This study investigated the relative effects of different types of diet, exercise, and combined treatment (DI+ET) on muscle mass and functional outcomes...

Hemiplegic shoulder pain and impairment are common poststroke outcomes, for which arm slings constitute long-used treatments. Although multiple studies have suggested association between gait pattern and sling application, results have varied. Accordingly, we conducted this meta-analysis to determine how arm sling use affects the gait and balance o...

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) refers to the symptoms and signs caused by the compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. It can be treated by corticosteroid injection into the carpal tunnel. Two methods for injection have been employed, namely ultrasound-guided and landmark-guided injection. This systematic review and meta-analysis was con...

Burn injuries cause disability and functional limitations in daily living. In a 2015 fire explosion in Taiwan, 499 young people sustained burn injuries. The construction of an effective and comprehensive rehabilitation program that enables patients to regain their previous function is imperative. The International Classification of Functioning, Dis...

Introduction Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is associated with an increased risk of sarcopenia, and aging-related muscle deterioration continues after total knee replacement (TKR). Low skeletal muscle mass index may influence postoperative rehabilitation outcomes. Through this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of preoperative sarcopenia on clini...

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) refers to the symptoms and signs caused by the compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. It can be treated by corticosteroid injection into the carpal tunnel. Two methods for injection have been employed, namely ultrasound-guided and landmark-guided injection. This systematic review and meta-analysis was con...

Background: People with cognitive impairment are susceptible to fall. Previous studies regarding balance and gait enrolled patients with various severity of dementia. Quantification of the balance and gait performance of people with cognitive impairment may help identify their postural instability and fall risks. Aim: We investigated the differe...

Because of its healing properties, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been applied to the bone–tendon interface during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair to improve surgical outcomes. However, its effects remain ambiguous. Therefore, we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effects of PRP on retear rate and functional outcomes....

Objective This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of high-intensity functional exercise among older adults with dementia. Methods In this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, we collected articles published before August 2020 from PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to evaluate the effect of high-intensity...

Aging and osteoarthritis (OA) are associated with a high risk of muscle mass loss, which can lead to physical disability. This study investigated the effectiveness of protein supplementation combined with exercise training (PS + ET) in improving muscle mass and functional outcomes in older adults with lower-limb OA. A comprehensive search of online...

We thank Chen et al [...]

Objective: To investigate the effect of muscle strength exercise training (MSET) on lean mass (LM) gain and muscle hypertrophy in older patients with lower limb osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: A comprehensive search of online databases was performed until April 20, 2019. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reported the effects of MSET on LM,...

Introduction During caesarean section, the use of a vasopressor is often required to achieve haemodynamic stability of the parturient. Metaraminol is a vasopressor used in this context in some countries. However, the differences between metaraminol and other vasopressors remain unclear. Methods A search of the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase...

Aging and frailty are associated with a high risk of lean mass (LM) loss, which leads to physical disability and can be effectively alleviated by protein supplementation (PS) and muscle strengthening exercise (MSE). In this study, the associations between LM gain and PS + MSE efficacy (measured using physical outcomes) in elderly patients with a hi...

Fall prevention requires a multifaceted approach that should include individual risk assessment and intervention strategies. Exercise interventions may mitigate most risk factors for falls (e.g., balance impairment, gait impairment, and muscle weakness). Numerous systematic reviews (SRs) or meta-analyses have assessed the effectiveness of exercise...

Objective: This study determined the clinical efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave therapy and the predictors of its efficacy for knee osteoarthritis. Data sources: Electronic databases and search engines, namely MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library Database, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), China Academic Journals Full-text Databas...

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of electrical stimulation in arm function recovery after stroke. Methods: Data were obtained from the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Scopus databases from their inception until 12 January 2019. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting the effects of electrical...

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the post-stroke recovery of lower limb motor function. Data sources: We searched the databases of PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase. The randomized controlled trials were published by 25 January 2019. Review methods: We inc...

Purpose This study evaluated the clinical efficacy of continuous passive motion (CPM) following knee arthroplasty and determined the predictors of effect sizes of range of motion (ROM) and functional outcomes in patients with knee arthritis. Methods A comprehensive electronic database search was performed for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), w...

Aging poses a high risk of lean mass loss, which can be effectively improved through resistance exercise training (RET), or multicomponent exercise training (MET) as well as nutrition supplementation, such as protein supplementation (PS). This study investigated the effects of PS plus exercise training on frail older individuals. A comprehensive se...

Background Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at a higher risk of many types of cancer. However, specific investigation of the risk of prostate cancer and the influence of COPD pharmacotherapy in patients with COPD is lacking. This study investigated the risk and influence of COPD pharmacotherapy on risk of prostate canc...

Abstract Background Extracorporeal shock-wave therapy (ESWT), which can be divided into radial shock-wave therapy (RaSWT) and focused shock-wave therapy (FoSWT), has been widely used in clinical practice for managing orthopedic conditions. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical efficacy of ESWT for knee soft tissue disorders (KSTDs) an...

Introduction/Background Extracorporeal shock-wave therapy (ESWT), including radial (RaSW) and focused (FoSW) shock-wave types, has been widely used in clinical practice for managing musculoskeletal disorders such as tendinopathy. The difference in therapeutic effects between two shock-wave characteristics with different dosage levels for lower extr...