As technology advances, virtual reality (VR) is increasingly being integrated into healthcare education to enhance learning outcomes. This systematic literature review and meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of virtual reality-based healthcare education. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published over the past 10 years were retrieved from 10 databases using VR, healthcare, and education as the primary keywords. Following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 45 studies were included in the final analysis. A meta-analysis was performed to analyze the effects of VR in terms of knowledge, skill, and attitude. The results revealed that the use of VR significantly improved the knowledge (SMD: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.18–0.39, p < 0.001) and skill scores (SMD: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.11–0.34, p < 0.001), shortened the skill performance time (SMD: −0.59, 95% CI: −0.82 to −0.35, p < 0.001), and improved the satisfaction (SMD: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.48–0.81, p < 0.001) and confidence levels (SMD: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.41–0.80, p < 0.001). The in-depth analysis highlighted the significant potential of VR and provided practical implications in educational settings. In conclusion, effectively integrating VR with traditional educational methods is necessary to enhance both the quality of learning and the overall competence of healthcare professionals.

Background and Objectives: Migraine headaches are chronic neurological diseases that reduce the quality of life by causing severe headaches and autonomic nervous system dysfunction, such as facial flushing, nasal stuffiness, and sweating. Their major treatment methods include medication and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT has been used for pain treatment and various psychogenic neurological diseases by reducing pain, disability, and emotional disorders caused by symptoms of mental illness and improving the understanding of mental health. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of CBT in treating migraines. Materials and Methods: Seven electronic databases were searched from the date of inception to December 2020. Randomized controlled studies (RCTs) using CBT as an intervention for migraine were included. The primary outcome of this study was to determine the frequency of migraines and the intensity of migraines on Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the frequency of drug use, Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS), and Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) index. The two authors independently conducted the data extraction and quality assessment of the included RCTs, and conducted meta-analysis with RevMan V.5.4. Results: Among the 373 studies, 11 RCTs were included in this systematic review. Seven out of the 11 RCTs were conducted in the USA, and four were conducted in the UK, Germany, Iran, and Italy, respectively. Headache frequency and MIDAS scores were statistically significant reduced. In the subgroup analysis, headache strength was significantly reduced. Two of the included studies reported adverse effects, including worsening of migraine intensity and frequency, respiratory symptoms, and vivid memory of a traumatic event. Conclusions: CBT for migraine effectively reduced headache frequency and MIDAS score in meta-analysis and headache intensity subgroup analysis, with few adverse events. Additional RCTs with CBT for migraine headaches are needed for a more accurate analysis.

While the survival rate has increased due to treatments for breast cancer, the quality of life has decreased because of the side effects of chemotherapy. Various toxins are being developed as alternative breast cancer treatments, and bee venom is drawing attention as one of them. We analyzed the effect of bee venom and its components on breast cancer cells and reviewed the mechanism underlying the anticancer effects of bee venom. Data up to March 2022 were searched from PubMed, EMBASE, OASIS, KISS, and Science Direct online databases, and studies that met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. Among 612 studies, 11 were selected for this research. Diverse drugs were administered, including crude bee venom, melittin, phospholipase A2, and their complexes. All drugs reduced the number of breast cancer cells in proportion to the dose and time. The mechanisms of anticancer effects included cytotoxicity, apoptosis, cell targeting, gene expression regulation, and cell lysis. Summarily, bee venom and its components exert anticancer effects on human breast cancer cells. Depending on the mechanisms of anticancer effects, side effects are expected to be reduced by using various vehicles. Bee venom and its components have the potential to prevent and treat breast cancer in the future.

This double-blind, randomized clinical trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Bifidobacterium breve B-3 (BB-3) for reducing body fat. Healthy individuals were randomized into the BB-3 or placebo group (1:1). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to evaluate body fat reduction objectively. In the BB-3 group, body weight was lower than before BB-3 ingestion. Regarding waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist/hip circumference ratio, waist circumference and hip circumference were lower in the BB-3 group than in the placebo group at 12 weeks; the waist/hip circumference ratio was found to decrease at each visit in the BB-3 group, although there was no significant difference in the amount of change after 12 weeks. BB-3 did not cause any severe adverse reactions. Body fat was significantly lower in the BB-3 group than in the placebo group. In conclusion, ingesting BB-3 significantly reduces body weight, waist circumference, and hip circumference. Thus, BB-3 is safe and effective for reducing body fat.

Objectives. We aimed to summarize and critically evaluate the available evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods. We searched 13 databases for studies published up to December 2016. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of acupuncture for children with ASD were included. Outcome measures were the overall scores on scales evaluating the core symptoms of ASD and the scores for each symptom, such as social communication ability and skills, stereotypies, language ability, and cognitive function. Effect sizes were presented as mean differences (MD). Results. Twenty‐seven RCTs with 1736 participants were included. Acupuncture complementary to behavioral and educational intervention significantly decreased the overall scores on the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) (MD −8.10, 95% CI −12.80 to −3.40) and the Autism Behavior Checklist (MD −8.92, 95% CI −11.29 to −6.54); however, it was unclear which of the ASD symptoms improved. Acupuncture as a monotherapy also reduced the overall CARS score. The reported adverse events were acceptable. Conclusions. This review suggests that acupuncture may be effective and safe for pediatric ASD. However, it is not conclusive due to the heterogeneity of the acupuncture treatment methods used in the studies.

Background/Objectives: Breast cancer remains the most prevalent malignancy among women worldwide. Innovative therapies are essential to address its diverse subtypes and treatment resistance. Scorpion venom and its bioactive proteins have gained attention as potential anticancer agents owing to their multitargeted cellular effects. This review systematically evaluates their anticancer properties and mechanisms in breast cancer, highlighting therapeutic potential. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in five databases (PubMed, Science Direct, EMBASE, OVID, and KISS) up to September 2024. Only in vitro studies using breast cancer cell lines and investigating scorpion venom or its bioactive proteins were included. Extracted data covered study characteristics, intervention types, control groups, dose range, duration, and key outcomes. Results: In total, 19 studies met the eligibility criteria. Crude scorpion venom showed broad cytotoxicity against hormone receptor-positive, triple-negative, and HER2-positive breast cancer subtypes. The primary mechanisms included apoptosis induction, DNA fragmentation, oxidative stress modulation, and cell cycle regulation. Bioactive proteins, such as chlorotoxin (CTX) and Neopladine 1/2, exhibited selective anticancer effects by targeting signaling pathways, inhibiting migration and invasion, and promoting apoptosis. Conclusion: These findings support scorpion venom’s potential as a multitargeted anticancer agent. The complementary actions of crude venom and its proteins highlight their promise for combination therapies. Further research is needed to clarify their synergistic interactions and optimize preclinical and clinical applications.