Fig. 1

Flow chart of the study design. First, we will recruit 80 participants from multiple centers. Participants will be randomly assigned to groups A (n = 40) and B (n = 40) after baseline assessment. Second, all participants will continue UR (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, etc.), as they had been doing previously, throughout the 24-week study period. Third, over weeks 1–12, group A will receive additional IMR comprising acupuncture and herbal medication with UR, and group B is a waiting group that will receive only UR. Participants will be assessed at 12 weeks. Fourth, group B will receive 12 weeks of acupuncture and herbal medication with UR during weeks 13–24; group A will continue UR during weeks 13–24 and return to the institution for follow-up assessment at 24 weeks. The researchers will then collect the results and analyze the data. Abbreviations: UR, usual rehabilitation; IMR, integrative medicine rehabilitation