Clinical trials

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and debilitating complication among breast cancer survivors, frequently associated with chronic neuropathic pain that remains inadequately controlled by pharmacological treatments. Emerging evidence suggests that CIPN pain is related to maladaptive reorganization of pain-related brain networks, highlighting the potential of non-pharmacological, brain-based neuromodulation strategies. Among the variants of theta burst stimulation (TBS), both prolonged constant theta burst stimulation (pcTBS) and intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) have facilitating effects of cortical excitability. The treatment time for pcTBS (1 min and 44 s, 1200 pulses) is much shorter than that of iTBS and traditional repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS); therefore, pcTBS seems to be a promising neuromodulation method for chronic pain and head-to-head comparison between pcTBS and iTBS has never been done before. The aim of this two-year randomized, cross-over trial project is 1) to compare the effects of pcTBS and iTBS and determine the optimal TBS paradigm for alleviating CIPN pain a sequential focus on distinct cortical targets; 2) to implement a prospectively defined, network-guided framework using fMRI to characterize sensorimotor and pain-related brain connectivity and to examine whether baseline network features and stimulation-induced connectivity changes moderate clinical outcomes. In Year 1, 20 breast cancer patients with CIPN will be recruited and randomly assigned to two groups: Group I will initially receive pcTBS over M1 for 5 consecutive days and then iTBS over M1 after a 8-week "wash-out" period. Group II will initially receive iTBS over M1 for 5 consecutive days and then pcTBS over M1 after a 8-week "wash-out" period. In year 2, the stimulation target will be changed to dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) to evaluate analgesic effects, and associated brain network changes related to cognitive-affective pain modulation. MRI-based neuronavigation will be used to ensure precise and reproducible stimulation targeting. Both resting-state and task-based functional MRI will be acquired before stimulation and used prospectively to identify individualized pain-relevant cortical hotspots within predefined anatomical regions (M1 or DLPFC). Resting-state fMRI will be repeated within 24 hours after the final stimulation session to evaluate treatment-related changes in brain networks. Pain intensity measured by the visual analog scale will serve as the primary outcome, with secondary outcomes including Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 and pressure pain threshold testing. Primary and secondary outcomes will be evaluated immediately after the last stimulation session and again at 4-week follow-up. By integrating a clinically efficient trial design with network-informed neuroimaging, this project is expected to provide target-specific evidence for TBS in CIPN pain and to establish a foundation for future precision-guided neuromodulation studies.

This randomized controlled trial compares the efficacy and safety of four treatment strategies for ureteral stone expulsion: Mirabegron alone, Tamsulosin alone, a combination of both, and standard conservative care. Participants diagnosed with ureteral stones will be randomly assigned to one of these four groups. The primary objective is to evaluate the stone expulsion rate within 4 weeks. The study also assesses time to expulsion, pain intensity, analgesic use, and potential side effects.

This observational cohort study aims to track longitudinal changes in body composition, including skeletal muscle mass and fat distribution, in patients diagnosed with breast cancer. Following primary surgery and adjuvant therapy, participants will be monitored over a 2-year period. The primary objective is to evaluate the natural progression of skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and metabolic changes in this population. By conducting serial measurements, this study seeks to characterize the longitudinal trends in muscle loss and body composition shifts post-treatment, providing data to better understand the physiological impact of the cancer recovery process.

The purpose of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy of Jing Si Herbal Tea as an adjuvant treatment for patients diagnosed with Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS). The study aims to determine whether adding Jing Si Herbal Tea to standard care can improve clinical symptoms and quality of life in these patients.

"Patients were divided into two groups: the experimental group (E group) and the control group (C group). The E group received standard care, walking exercise, and elastic band exercise, and wore a smart bracelet to record walking steps and sleep for three months. During the first month, participants performed walking exercise for 100 minutes per week and used a red elastic band for resistance training. In the second month, walking exercise increased to 150 minutes per week with a green elastic band. In the third month, walking exercise increased to 150-300 minutes per week with a blue elastic band. The C group wore the smart bracelet to record walking steps and sleep for three months. Each group included 34 participants. The study was conducted from September 9, 2021, to December 31, 2025. Exclusion criteria included panic disorder, cognitive impairment, current cancer treatment, angina pectoris or myocardial infarction within the past 3 months, participation in high-intensity rehabilitation exercise, and walking dysfunction. Participants were required to follow the study protocol. * Assessments\*\*: * Anxiety and Depression\*\*:Measured using the Chinese version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). * Dyspnea\*\*:Measured using the Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale. * Life and Sleep quality\*\*:Measured using the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and Chinese Version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (CPSQI).

Examine the association of chronic liver diseases (including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, alcoholic liver disease, fatty liver, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma) with other systemic diseases by retrospectively analyzing the data from the Hospital Database of Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation.

The aim of this study is to investigate the intervention of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in managing the side effects experienced by breast cancer patients undergoing conventional Western medical treatments, such as blood cell decline, nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal discomfort, and overall quality of life. The study aims to establish a long-term clinical enrollment criteria and process for TCM adjuvant therapy in breast cancer. The research design will utilize a prospective cohort study and real-world cross-sectional observational research method to obtain clinical data and survival status of the patients.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is often accompanied by frequent urination and nocturia, and does not necessarily manifest as urge incontinence. Urgency to urinate and frequent urination can lead to psychological burdens, affect interpersonal relationships and reduce women's quality of life. Treatment of OAB includes lifestyle changes, behavioral therapy, drug therapy, neuromodulation, botulinum toxin therapy, and surgical intervention. At present, anticholinergic drugs are usually the first-line treatment for OAB, but the side effects of dry mouth often lead to poor patient compliance. Transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) is a minimally invasive neuromodulation technique. Past studies have confirmed that PTNS has clinical efficacy in treating symptoms related to overactive bladder, while TCM's electroacupuncture is similar to PTNS. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the specific acupoints in accordance with traditional Chinese medicine theory in women with OAB under conventional Western medicine treatment to evaluate the improvement of women's related urinary tract symptoms, quality of life and autonomic nervous system function.

This research program aims at investigating the effects of upper-limb robotic therapy primed with interactive exergaming as an innovative hybrid regimen in stroke rehabilitation.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a leading cause of global mortality, significantly impairs health-related quality of life (HRQL). COPD is characterized by airway inflammation and lung tissue damage. Jing Si herbal tea (JSHT) is known to have anti-inflammatory effects but has not been explored for treating COPD. This study investigated the potential of JSHT as an adjuvant therapy for COPD. This randomized controlled study focused on patients with COPD in the exacerbation and stable phases. The control group received the standard treatment, and the JSHT group received the standard treatment plus JSHT. Both groups underwent HRQL assessments, blood tests, and cellular studies involving five different groups to assess the effect of JSHT on damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and inflammatory markers.