Clinical trials

This study aims to evaluate the effects of exercise combined with kinesiology taping on local hemodynamic parameters in healthy university students. Doppler ultrasound will be used to assess local blood flow and hemodynamic responses associated with the intervention. Participants will perform the exercise protocol with kinesiology taping, and hemodynamic parameters will be assessed to determine whether the combined intervention produces changes in local circulation. The study is designed to provide a better understanding of the acute circulatory responses to exercise combined with kinesiology taping.

With the rapid aging of the global population, long-term care facilities (LTCFs) have become an increasingly important component of modern public health systems. However, these settings are also at high risk for outbreaks of respiratory infectious diseases. Influenza virus transmission within LTCFs has distinct epidemiological characteristics, including high transmissibility and high risks of severe illness and mortality. In Taiwan, with the accelerated aging of the population, LTCF residents commonly have multiple chronic comorbidities (multimorbidity) and age-related immune dysfunction (immunosenescence). Influenza infection in this population may not only lead to acute respiratory failure but may also contribute to a "silent burden," including post-infection cardiovascular events, metabolic dysregulation, and long-term functional decline. Under the current standard of care (SOC), influenza diagnosis relies on reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing performed by external laboratories, with a turnaround time (TAT) of approximately 24 to 48 hours. This time-to-result gap may delay clinical decision-making, potentially preventing timely initiation of antiviral treatment within the optimal 48-hour treatment window and leading facilities to adopt broad precautionary isolation measures, thereby increasing healthcare resource utilization and staffing burden. The Abbott ID NOW system uses isothermal nucleic acid amplification technology (INAAT) and can provide molecular diagnostic results within approximately 15 minutes. Through a prospective cluster-randomized controlled design, this study aims to evaluate whether implementation of an ID NOW-based point-of-care testing (POCT) strategy can improve clinical outcomes among LTCF residents and reduce overall healthcare costs compared with the current standard diagnostic pathway.

Chronic nonspecific low back pain is a common condition that may cause persistent pain and limitations in daily activities. This study aims to compare the therapeutic effects of traditional acupuncture and laser acupuncture in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain, focusing on pain, functional disability, and flexibility. Approximately 60 participants aged 20-60 years with low back pain between the 12th rib and gluteal fold lasting at least three months will be recruited. Participants must have a Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) score of at least 4 and meet the study eligibility criteria. Individuals with conditions such as sciatica, neurological disease, spinal tumor, osteoporosis, lumbar spinal stenosis, lumbar spondylolisthesis, ankylosing spondylitis, piriformis syndrome, recent vertebral fracture or lumbar surgery, spinal infection, coagulation disorders, anticoagulant use, long-term corticosteroid use, cauda equina symptoms, severe systemic disease, active inflammatory or infectious skin disease, or known pregnancy will be excluded. Before participation, the research team will explain the study procedures, possible risks and benefits, and participants' rights. After providing informed consent and completing screening, eligible participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the traditional acupuncture group or the laser acupuncture group. Participants cannot choose their treatment group. Both groups will receive treatment twice a week for six weeks, for a total of 12 sessions, with each session lasting approximately 20 minutes. The same nine acupuncture points will be used: bilateral BL20 (Pishu), GV3 (Yaoyangguan), bilateral GB30 (Huantiao), bilateral GB34 (Yanglingquan), and bilateral BL25 (Dachangshu). The traditional acupuncture group will receive sterile, single-use needles inserted by an experienced physician and manipulated to produce the intended acupuncture sensation. The laser acupuncture group will receive laser stimulation at the same acupuncture points without needle insertion. The study protocol uses a Handylaser Trion device with an 810-nm wavelength, an energy density of 7.96 J/cm², and approximately 20 seconds of stimulation per point. Participants will be assessed at baseline, week 3, week 6, and week 8. The primary outcome is the modified Oswestry Disability Index (mODI), which evaluates disability related to low back pain. Secondary outcomes include pain intensity measured by the NPRS and flexibility measured by fingertip-to-floor distance. Week 8 serves as a short-term follow-up approximately two weeks after treatment completion. Changes in these outcomes will be compared between the two treatment groups. Participants may experience improvement in pain or physical function, although benefits cannot be guaranteed. Traditional acupuncture may cause temporary discomfort, soreness, minor bleeding, or bruising. Laser acupuncture does not involve needle insertion and may provide a less invasive treatment experience. Participants will be monitored for discomfort or adverse events throughout the study. Participation is voluntary, and participants may withdraw at any time without penalty or loss of appropriate medical care. Personal and medical information will be kept confidential and used for research purposes. The study will be conducted according to applicable ethical standards, including the Declaration of Helsinki and ICH-GCP.

With the advent of an aging society, the demand for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) continues to increase. Postoperative recovery is influenced not only by the surgical procedure itself but also by pain control, joint function, and physical resilience. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) promotes postoperative recovery through multidisciplinary integrated care; however, related research in Taiwan remains limited, particularly studies that simultaneously examine pain, joint function, and physical resilience. This study aims to investigate the effects of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) care model on changes in postoperative pain, knee function, and physical resilience among older adults undergoing total knee arthroplasty. A quasi-experimental study with convenience sampling will be conducted. Participants will be allocated to either the ERAS group or the routine care group according to the care model received. Outcome measurements will be obtained preoperatively, on postoperative day 1, postoperative day 3, and two weeks after discharge. Pain will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), knee function using the Chinese version of the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and physical resilience using the Physical Resilience Instrument for Older Adults (PRIFOR). Clinical recovery indicators, including vital signs, length of hospital stay, and time to first ambulation, will also be collected. The ERAS care model is expected to improve postoperative pain, promote recovery of knee function, enhance physical resilience, shorten the length of hospital stay, and facilitate earlier ambulation. The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence for optimizing perioperative care and supporting the implementation of ERAS for older adults undergoing total knee arthroplasty.

Primary dysmenorrhea is a common condition that significantly affects young women's quality of life. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupoint interventions are widely used for symptom relief; however, standardized fixed-acupoint approaches often overlook individual meridian status variations. This pilot study aims to evaluate the feasibility, preliminary efficacy, and physiological responses of an individualized meridian-guided intervention for primary dysmenorrhea in females aged 18-30. Utilizing non-invasive skin electrical resistance measurements (AETOSCAN) to assess baseline meridian energy status, eligible dysmenorrhea participants will be randomized into two parallel arms: an individualized meridian-guided intervention group and a standardized fixed-acupoint group. Interventions will be administered twice weekly over a 4-week cycle. The primary outcomes focus on changes in pain severity (VAS), menstrual distress scores (MDQ), and objective meridian electrical characteristics.

This cluster randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a digital video feedback strategy in improving physical assessment skills, learning motivation, self-regulated learning, and anxiety among undergraduate nursing students. Approximately 80 second-year nursing students enrolled in a physical examination and assessment course will be assigned to either a digital video feedback intervention group or a traditional teaching control group using cluster randomization. The intervention will be implemented in four physical assessment units, including head and neck/lymphatic assessment, musculoskeletal assessment, and two neurological assessment units. Students in the intervention group will record their physical assessment performance using a digital video system and receive structured feedback from peers and instructors. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, mid-course, and at the end of the course.

This research project aims to develop and validate whether a "VR-assisted traditional acupuncture therapy model" provides superior pain relief and functional improvement compared to acupuncture alone.

The goal of this intervention study is to learn whether providing nutritional supplement packs can reduce hunger at school and improve healthy eating behaviors and classroom concentration among students in grades 3-9 attending schools in remote rural areas. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does receiving nutritional supplement packs reduce hunger at school and improve healthy eating behaviors and classroom concentration after one semester and one school year compared with baseline? Is hunger at school associated with healthy eating behaviors and classroom concentration?

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of an acupressure band in improving primary dysmenorrhea among college students. Primary dysmenorrhea is characterized by cramping lower abdominal pain during menstruation and is often accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, and headache. It is also one of the leading causes of academic and work absenteeism among women of reproductive age. Previous studies have shown that acupressure applied to the Sanyinjiao (SP6) acupoint can alleviate menstrual pain. In addition, current clinical research has mainly focused on auricular acupressure using Vaccaria seeds, while relatively few studies have explored their application on body acupoints. Therefore, this study focuses on the application of Vaccaria seeds on the Sanyinjiao (SP6) acupoint to evaluate their effects on primary dysmenorrhea. To provide continuous and stable acupoint stimulation, this study utilizes an intervention device combining Vaccaria seeds with a compression band, together with acupressure stimulation. This study adopts a single-blind randomized controlled trial design. A total of 30 participants will be randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group (compression band only group). The study consists of four menstrual cycles, including one baseline menstrual cycle followed by three consecutive menstrual cycles of home-based intervention. Outcome measures include the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain intensity, the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MEDI-Q) for menstrual-related symptoms and distress, and heart rate variability (HRV), monitored using the ANS Watch as an indicator of autonomic nervous system activity. Statistical analyses will be conducted to compare differences between the experimental and control groups, as well as between pre- and post-intervention measurements, in order to evaluate the clinical potential of the acupressure band for primary dysmenorrhea management.

This Phase II study, titled "A Phase II Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) Using B10 L-BPA in Patients with Unresectable Recurrent Head and Neck Cancers," aims to assess the efficacy and safety of B10 L-BPA-based BNCT in this patient population. The primary objective is to evaluate its efficacy, while secondary objectives include assessing safety, survival outcomes, tumor response, and the pharmacokinetics (PK) profile of B10 L-BPA and boron.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized not only by motor symptoms but also by common and clinically significant non-motor symptoms, including constipation and sleep disturbances, which can substantially impair quality of life. The concept of the "gut-brain axis" describes bidirectional communication among the central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, enteric nervous system, and gut microbiota. Increasing evidence from animal models suggests that the gut-brain axis may play an important role in the pathophysiology and progression of PD. Given the central role of autonomic nervous system regulation in the gut-brain axis, this study will use laser acupuncture as a safe, non-invasive form of photobiomodulation (PBM) with potential neuromodulatory effects. Based on the concept of segmental neuromodulation, laser stimulation will be applied to the thoracolumbar paraspinal regions (T10-L2) and sacral segments (S2-S4, corresponding to the Baliao points) to modulate sympathetic activity arising from T10-L2 and pelvic parasympathetic activity arising from S2-S4. This approach is intended to promote intestinal motility and defecation reflexes. Meanwhile, by modulating autonomic balance and stabilizing stress-sleep rhythms, as assessed by salivary biomarkers including salivary cortisol and salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), the intervention is expected to improve sleep quality in patients with PD. This study is designed as a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial. Participants with PD who experience constipation will be recruited and undergo an 8-week intervention. The primary outcomes will assess changes in constipation symptoms using the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) and the Constipation Scoring System (CSS; Agachan Score). Secondary outcomes will assess sleep quality using the Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale-2 (PDSS-2) and the REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Screening Questionnaire (RBDSQ). Objective salivary biomarkers, including salivary cortisol and sAA, will also be measured to investigate changes in autonomic function and their associations with improvements in clinical symptoms. This study is expected to provide preliminary evidence regarding the potential role of segmental laser acupuncture in modulating the gut-brain axis and improving non-motor symptoms in patients with PD, thereby providing a basis for future larger-scale studies and the development of clinical care strategies.

The goal of this interventional study is to determine whether reducing ultra-processed food consumption in children and adolescents can improve cognitive function. The main question it aims to answer is: Does reducing ultra-processed food consumption through online nutritional education improve cognitive function in children and adolescents with attention difficulties? Researchers will compare a nutritional education group to a non-intervention group to assess whether reducing ultra-processed food intake leads to cognitive improvement. Participants will: Attend a weekly online nutritional education course for 12 weeks Be encouraged to replace ultra-processed foods with whole foods

This randomized, double-blind, parallel-group controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate the effects of traditional Chinese medicine patch application at the Shenque (RN8) acupoint on cancer-related fatigue in adult cancer patients scheduled to undergo radiotherapy. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to receive either a traditional Chinese medicine patch or a sham patch at the same acupoint. The intervention will be applied once daily for 2 hours, 7 days per week, for 2 consecutive weeks, for a total of 14 sessions. Fatigue severity, quality of life, heart rate variability, complete blood count, and skin safety will be assessed before and after the intervention.

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) applied to acupoints can modulate pain transmission and cortical processing in healthy adult volunteers. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does TENS at Zhongzhu (SJ3) and Hegu (LI4) change pain-related evoked potentials (PREPs)? * Does acupoint electrical stimulation alter nociceptive pathways reflected by PREP waveform modulation? Researchers will compare PREPs recorded before and after TENS at the two acupoints to see if TENS produces measurable effects on cortical nociceptive responses. Participants will receive low-frequency TENS applied to Zhongzhu (SJ3) and Hegu (LI4), and undergo PREP assessments before and after the intervention to measure cortical responses to standardized noxious stimuli.

This study is a randomized controlled pilot trial designed to evaluate the effects and safety of a traditional Chinese medicine formula (CKD-1) as an add-on therapy to standard treatment in patients with stage 3-4 non-diabetic chronic kidney disease. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to receive either standard care alone or standard care combined with CKD-1 for 12 weeks. Kidney function, urine protein levels, and quality of life will be assessed before and after the intervention. The study aims to provide preliminary evidence on whether CKD-1 can improve renal function and quality of life in this patient population.

This study is a randomized controlled pilot trial designed to evaluate the effects and safety of a traditional Chinese medicine formula (DKD-1) as an add-on therapy to standard treatment in patients with Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD). Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to receive either standard care alone or standard care combined with DKD-1 for 12 weeks. Kidney function, glycemic control, proteinuria, quality of life, and traditional Chinese medicine tongue features will be assessed before and after the intervention. The study aims to provide preliminary evidence on whether DKD-1 can improve renal function, glycemic control, and quality of life in this patient population.

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether an AI-based risk notification system integrated into routine clinical care can improve the clinical detection of iron deficiency in adult patients attending Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Hematology/Oncology clinics at China Medical University Hospital in Taiwan. The main questions this study aims to answer are: 1. Does displaying AI-generated iron deficiency risk classification to physicians increase the overall detection rate of iron deficiency at the population level? 2. Does the AI-based risk notification influence physicians' diagnostic behavior by increasing the rate at which ferritin testing is ordered specifically for suspected iron deficiency? 3. Among ferritin tests ordered for suspected iron deficiency, does the diagnostic yield (positivity rate) remain appropriate, reflecting efficient use of testing resources? 4. Are the effects of the AI-assisted intervention consistent among patients with anemia and without anemia? Comparison Groups Researchers will compare clinical encounters in which physicians receive AI-generated iron deficiency risk information (the Prompt Group) with encounters in which physicians receive standard laboratory results without AI risk display (the Control Group). The comparison focuses on differences in iron deficiency detection, ferritin ordering behavior for suspected iron deficiency, and diagnostic yield. What Participants Will Experience 1. No Additional Procedures: As this is a pragmatic study embedded in routine clinical care, participants will not undergo any additional blood draws, invasive procedures, or clinic visits beyond standard care. 2. Routine Care Only: Patients attend their scheduled outpatient visits and receive complete blood count (CBC) testing as ordered by their treating physician, independent of study participation. 3. Background Data Integration: The AI system operates within the hospital's information system, analyzing routinely collected CBC data after results become available. No additional data entry or action is required from patients. 4. Physician Autonomy Preserved: The AI provides a non-mandatory risk classification as decision support. For patients identified as high risk, the system may display an informational prompt suggesting consideration of iron-related testing if no recent testing is found. All diagnostic and management decisions remain entirely at the discretion of the treating physician.

Taiwan is entering a super-aged society in 2025, with more than 20% of the population aged 65 years or older. This rapid demographic shift, combined with increasing rates of chronic diseases, frailty, and dementia, has created growing challenges for healthcare and caregiving systems. Yunlin County, particularly its coastal region, has been one of Taiwan's earliest super-aged areas, showing higher rates of diabetes (10.5%), hypertension (28%), hyperlipidemia (26%), dementia (8%), and depression (12%) compared with national averages. Lifestyle factors such as tobacco (30%), betel nut (8%), and alcohol (15%) use are also more prevalent among local residents. From 2022 to 2024, health screenings at CMU Beigang Hospital revealed a 36.1% abnormality rate among 12,222 visits, while another 5,965 assessments from the county's ICOPE program showed similarly high rates. Many older adults, particularly retired agricultural and fishing workers, experience sedentary lifestyles and polypharmacy-related risks, which worsen frailty, insomnia, depression, and cognitive decline. Low general and digital health literacy further limits their ability to adopt preventive behaviors, forming a vicious cycle between poor health and aging. To address these challenges, the Ministry of Health and Welfare launched the "Healthy Taiwan Cultivation Plan." In alignment with this initiative, this project-led by CMU Beigang Hospital in collaboration with the National Health Research Institutes-aims to develop a wearable- and mobile-based health promotion model for rural older adults. The study will integrate research-grade actigraphy (Geneactiv), a mobile health platform ("iMED"), and the in-bed sensor iCue to monitor behavior, promote active aging, and enhance health and digital literacy. Ultimately, this project seeks to establish Taiwan's first integrated digital aging database and identify digital biomarkers for predicting cognitive and functional decline in older adults.

This Phase I/II study, titled 'A Phase I/II Study to Evaluate Safety and Efficacy of the Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) using B10 L-BPA as Boron Carrier in Malignant Brain Tumors.', aims to assess the efficacy of B10 L-BPA with BNCT in patients with malignant brain tumors. The primary objective is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of BNCT with B10 L-BPA for malignant brain tumors treatment, using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, Version 1.1 (RECIST v1.1) as the standard for assessment.

Connective tissue disease (CTD), an autoimmune and inflammatory disease, usually accompanied by lung interstitial/alveolar inflammation and fibrosis (so called interstitial lung disease, ILD). The prevalence and mortality rate of CTD-ILD increase in recent several years. Although the use of corticosteroids and strong immunosuppressants can improve ILD in some patients with CTD, progressive lung fibrosis which needs lung transplantation and results in respiratory failure, even with mortality is observed. Currently, stem cell therapy is a breakthrough in the treatment of CTD-ILD, and the effective therapy with stem cells for patients with ILD have been reported.

This is an investigator-initiated, single-center clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of ALK inhibitors in patients with locally advanced or metastatic bone cancer harboring truncated ALK (ALKATI) alterations. Eligible patients must have disease progression after standard therapy or no suitable standard treatment options. Participants will receive either crizotinib (Xalkori®) or alectinib (Alecensa®), with treatment selection determined by the study investigators. The study aims to assess antitumor activity, safety, and clinical outcomes in this rare molecular subtype of bone cancer.

This study aimed to explore the impact of electronic picture books combined with RPG on breastfeeding learning outcomes among nursing students. The study participants were third-year nursing students from a university in central Taiwan. A randomized controlled design was used, with the experimental group receiving electronic picture books combined with RPG, while the control group received traditional face-to-face instruction. Changes in students' breastfeeding knowledge, learning motivation, self-efficacy, and cognitive load were assessed. The expected results can provide a reference for innovative teaching models in nursing education and promote the future clinical application of breastfeeding.

This study aims to evaluate the potential supportive effects of rice bran arabinoxylan compound (Biobran) in patients with breast cancer receiving paclitaxel and doxorubicin chemotherapy. The study will assess chemotherapy-related side effects, quality of life, tumor size, tumor antigens, and routine blood test parameters over 24 weeks of treatment.

Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, is a common chronic shoulder disorder with symptoms including shoulder pain, limitations in both active and passive range of motion, and muscle weakness, which significantly affects daily functional abilities. The investigator applied upper limb exoskeleton-assisted therapy. This experiment used a randomized controlled trial to assess the clinical rehabilitation effects of exoskeleton-assisted range of motion and resistance training on patients with frozen shoulder.

sigma-1 receptor (S1R) agonistic property have been tested in clinical trials for the treatment of schizophrenia. In addition, previous studies found that some NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-enhancing agents were able to improve clinical symptoms of patients with chronic schizophrenia. Whether combined treatment of an S1R agonist and an NMDA-enhancing agent can be better than an S1R agonist alone deserves study.