Clinical trials

This study aims to examine the effects of moderate-intensity strength training, performed with or without an unloading knee orthosis (valgus-corrective or sham mode), on muscle function, motor unit behavior, and force modulation in patients with moderate knee osteoarthritis

This study will conduct clinical trials to explore the mechanisms behind the development of upper limb lymphedema following breast cancer surgery. The investigators will recruit patients who have undergone breast cancer surgery and utilize Indocyanine Green (ICG) lymphography and Lymphoscintigraphy to identify the locations of lymphatic blockages. Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) will be used to detect changes in tissue limb compliance. DXA body composition analysis will measure the differences in the composition ratios between edematous and normal limbs. In addition, diffusion correlation spectrometry will be employed to monitor changes in deep tissue blood flow, complemented by continuous measurements of limb circumference and other physiological parameters. The study aims to explore the interrelationships among lymphatic circulation, limb circumference, tissue compliance, and tissue blood flow rates.

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Remimazolam, either used alone or in combination with Propofol, for moderate sedation anesthesia during endoscopic therapies or examinations. Additionally, it seeks to explore whether their combination can further enhance the quality of patient anesthesia and recovery outcomes.

Tuberculosis remains an important global health problem, and the world is currently not on track to end the TB epidemic by 2030. With the concerted efforts of the government and medical community, the incidence of TB in Taiwan has gradually decreased, however, Taiwan remains an endemic area for TB. The development of efficacious, safe, and shorter treatment regimens could significantly improve treatment completion rate and reduce transmission of TB. The current treatment guidelines for drug-susceptible TB from the World Health Organization (WHO), American Thoracic Society (ATS), United States Center for Diseases Control (U.S. CDC), Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and European Respiratory Society (ERS) include 2 months of isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide and ethambutol (HREZ), followed by 4 months of isoniazid, rifampin, and ethambutol(HRE). The current treatment regimen requires 6 months of treatment, despite being highly efficacious, requires long duration of treatment. Adherence to treatment is the major barrier which poses a negative impact to TB control, and increased cost to both the patient and the public health system. Developing an efficacious, safe and short treatment regimen can significantly improve TB management and treatment success rates.

The combined use of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) has improved IVF pregnancy rates in infertile women aged 35-40, but its mechanisms remain unclear. This prospective study will examine how FSH and LH combined treatment affects cumulus cell energy metabolism. Sixty participants will be divided into two groups receiving either combined therapy or FSH alone. The study will analyze patient characteristics, infertility history, and compare mitochondrial function in cumulus cells to evaluate treatment effectiveness.

This study investigates the effects of melatonin supplementation on cumulus cell gene expression and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes in women over 35 years old. In the study group, patients will receive melatonin supplementation for at least two months prior to their IVF cycles. Cumulus cells will be collected after oocyte retrieval, and IVF outcomes will be assessed.

This study investigates the effects of a new supplement on sperm quality in men with poor sperm quality. Fifty patients will receive the supplement for three months, followed by semen analysis and assessment of sperm aging and mitochondrial function. Changes in sexual function and aging symptoms will also be evaluated.

The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical effect of a mobile application supporting home-based rehabilitation for the patients after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. The investigators hypothesized the clinical results of the patients using a mobile application (APP) to support the home-based rehabilitation were comparable to the patients receiving the supervised rehabilitation. This prospective randomized case-control study was approved by the institutional review board of the Kaohsiung Veteran General Hospital (IRB No. KSVGH18-CT12-15) prior to enroll any patients. Patients were recruited if they had a small to medium-sized full-thickness rotator cuff tear or, a Lafosse type II or III subscapularis tear diagnosed and then repaired under shoulder arthroscope. After the surgery, patients were randomized either to the home-based rehabilitation (the home group) or the hospital supervised rehabilitation (the supervised group). In the home group, patients self-managed rehabilitation exercise without supervision. Rehabilitation were supportive with the APP. Patient could communicate with the physician via the APP. In the supervised group, patients attended one-on-one instructions with therapists and exercised under supervision at hospital. Patients' characters were recorded. Peri-operative factors associated with rotator cuff healing were assessed. The active ROM (forward elevation, abduction, external and internal rotation), the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores, the American shoulder and elbow surgeon shoulder (ASES) scores and the modified Constant scores were recorded pre-operatively and post-operatively 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. The isometric shoulder strength was assessed with the hand-held dynamometer. The compliance of post-operative rehabilitation was evaluated not only from patients' self-reported logs but also by physicians at post-operatively 6, 12 and 24 weeks. Tendon integrity was evaluated with MRI scan at least 6 months after the index surgery. In the pilot study, we found a mean difference of 4 points and a standard deviation of 5.5 points in the modified Constant scores. Power analysis revealed a total sample size of 62 patients (31 patients in each group) would achieve a statistical power of 0.8 with a two-tailed level of 0.05 to detect significant differences. Statistical level of significance was defined as p\<0.05.