Clinical trials

Background and Purpose: Bathing is a routine but essential part of care for preterm infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). However, traditional tub bathing can be a significant source of stress for these vulnerable infants, potentially leading to fluctuations in body temperature, heart rate, and oxygen levels. Swaddle bathing-a technique where the infant is wrapped in a light cloth during the bath-is thought to provide a sense of security and better physiological stability. The goal of this pilot randomized controlled trial is to compare the effects of swaddle bathing versus conventional tub bathing in preterm infants. The researchers want to determine if swaddle bathing is as safe as traditional methods while being more comfortable for the baby. Main Questions to Answer: * Is swaddle bathing non-inferior to (as safe as) conventional tub bathing regarding the infant's physiological stability (e.g., body temperature and heart rate)? * Does swaddle bathing significantly reduce stress-related behaviors and crying in preterm infants compared to conventional bathing? Study Design and Procedure: Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: 1. Experimental Group: Infants will receive swaddle bathing, where they remain snugly wrapped in a towel or wrap while being gently immersed in water. 2. Control Group: Infants will receive conventional tub bathing according to standard hospital protocols. During and after the bath, the research team will monitor the infants' vital signs and video-record their behavioral responses (such as facial expressions and limb movements) to evaluate their level of comfort and stress. The results of this study will provide preliminary evidence to help clinical nurses decide the best bathing practices for promoting the neurodevelopmental care of preterm infants.

The aims of this study are to develop a mindfulness-based elective course for nursing students and to evaluate its effects on psychological well-being, including mindfulness, depression, anxiety, stress, and problematic internet use, empathy, among nursing students.

This study aims to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a talking pen audio-interactive technology integrated with an oral frailty delay care program for community-dwelling older adults in rural agricultural regions of Chiayi County, Taiwan. The intervention is designed to improve oral function, physical health, and mental well-being. Bilingual (Mandarin and Taiwanese) teaching materials on oral frailty care will be developed. Usability and satisfaction testing will be conducted with older adults at local community bases. A quasi-experimental design will be implemented with 10 participants, who will be randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will receive the oral frailty care program with talking pen audio-interactive technology, while the control group will continue with regular community activities. Outcomes, including oral function, physical performance, and mental health, will be measured at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. This study seeks to provide evidence for innovative, accessible, and sustainable approaches to oral frailty prevention in rural elderly populations.

The goal of this interventional study is to evaluate the effect of mobile health intervention on frailty, physical fitness, physical activity, and nutritional status of elderly patients with colorectal cancer. The main questions it aim to answer are: 1. Does the mobile health intervention reduce frailty in elderly colorectal cancer patients compared to standard care? 2. Does the mobile health intervention improve physical fitness, physical activity, and nutritional status in elderly colorectal cancer patients compared to standard care? Participants will receive the Mobile Health Management Frailty Care Program.

This study aims to explore the effectiveness of the multimedia cases with focused conversation in enhancing nursing students' mental health literacy.

The study is planned to be completed over three years and will focus on 500 hospitalized older adults with a diagnosis of CHF. The Biopsychosocial model will be used to conduct this study. Phase 1: This phase aims to determine the incidence rates of sarcopenia, frailty/social frailty among hospitalized older adults, and to compare these outcomes in gender differences. Sarcopenia will be identified according to the AWGS guidelines, while clinical characteristics, including ejection fraction, stage of CHF, and comorbidities, will be collected via chart review using the 2024 Guidelines of the Taiwan Society of Cardiology(Y. H. Li et al., 2024). Frailty and social frailty will be measured using the CFS, Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI), and Makizako's Social Frailty Questionnaire, respectively, and physical activity levels will be assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-S). To develop a predictive model examining risk factors for social frailty and health outcomes, with a focus on gender differences, we will employ Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). SEM allows for the analysis of complex relationships among variables, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of how these factors interact differently across genders. Phase 2: A quasi-experimental design will be implemented, involving 174 hospitalized older adults with low social frailty scores. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups. Group 1 will use the ChatGPT app for 15-30 minutes daily, with the app actively monitoring their emotional status and automatically notifying the research team and family members if signs of negative mood are detected. Group 2 will be encouraged to increase their social participation through community-based activities. The Control Group will continue their routine lifestyle without additional interventions. Before the intervention, one-on-one training will be provided to Group 1 participants on how to use ChatGPT. Key outcome measures, including mood status (loneliness, anxiety, and depression), physical activity (assessed via IPAQ-S), overall frailty (CFS \& TFI), social frailty scores, and other health indicators, will be assessed at baseline and immediately post-intervention. Phase 3: The aim of this phase is to monitor and compare the longitudinal health outcomes of interventions among the three groups. Key health outcomes will be assessed and compared every three months over a one-year period.

Frailty-encompassing sarcopenia, physical, psychological, and social frailty-is common among older adults with congestive heart failure (CHF) and contributes to adverse outcomes such as rehospitalization, mortality, and poor quality of life. However, few studies have compared these conditions in congestive heart failure (CHF) patients, particularly in elderly women in Taiwan, and effective, tailored Information and Communication Technology (ICT) interventions are scarce. This three-year study aims to (1) compare baseline characteristics and incidence rates of sarcopenia, physical, psychological, and social frailty among hospitalized older women with congestive heart failure (CHF) in metropolitan versus rural hospitals; (2) evaluate risk factors associated with physical, psychological, and social frailty; (3) monitor health outcomes (rehospitalization, mortality, quality of life) during a one-year follow-up; and (4) assess the effectiveness of an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) intervention designed to enhance social connectivity and emotional well-being. In Phase 1, clinical data-including ejection fraction, congestive heart failure (CHF) stage, and comorbidity -will be collected using the 2024 Guidelines of the Taiwan Society of Cardiology, while sarcopenia will be identified via Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) guidelines. Physical, psychological, and social frail will be measured with the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI) and Makizako's Social Frailty Questionnaire, respectively, and physical activity will be assessed using the IPAQ-S. Phase 2 will involve quarterly follow-ups over one year to compare health outcomes between metropolitan and rural settings, and to develop a predictive model of these outcomes. Phase 3 employs a quasi-experimental design with 90 participants randomized into three groups: an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) intervention group (using a dedicated app for at least 15 minutes daily, which monitors emotional status), a community-based social participation group, and a control group maintaining routine care. Key outcomes (mood, physical activity, frailty measures, and clinical status) will be assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and three months thereafter. This study is expected to identify significant differences between settings and demonstrate that a tailored Information and Communication Technology (ICT) intervention can improve social connectivity and clinical outcomes in older women with congestive heart failure (CHF).

This study develops and evaluates a "Senior Beauty and Health Care" course designed to improve students' awareness, attitudes, and skills in caring for older adults' appearance and well-being. Using experiential learning and community practice, the course aims to reduce negative stereotypes and boost students' motivation and competence. A mixed-methods approach, including pretest-posttest surveys and focus group interviews, will assess the course's effectiveness and provide insights for future geriatric care education.

This study aims to: 1) develop an evidence-based multi-strategy educational training program on surgical smoke, and 2) investigate the effectiveness of the "evidence-based multi-strategy educational training program" on operating room nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and preventive behaviors concerning the hazards of surgical smoke. The research questions of this study are as follows: What are the levels of knowledge, attitudes, and preventive behaviors regarding surgical smoke hazards among operating room nurses? What is the effect of an "evidence-based multi-strategy educational training program" on operating room nurses' knowledge of surgical smoke hazards? What is the effect of an "evidence-based multi-strategy educational training program" on operating room nurses' attitudes toward surgical smoke hazards? What is the effect of an "evidence-based multi-strategy educational training program" on operating room nurses' preventive behaviors regarding surgical smoke hazards? The experimental group received the "evidence-based multi-strategy educational training program on surgical smoke," while the control group received the conventional training on surgical smoke. Measurements were taken three times: a pretest, a post-test one week after the course, and a follow-up test four weeks later. The research tools included a self-designed questionnaire that included scales on knowledge, attitudes toward surgical smoke, and self-protective behaviors.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a mindfulness program integrated with digital technology-assisted learning on healthy aging among community-dwelling older adults. In a randomized controlled trial, 100 participants will be randomly assigned to either an experimental or a control group. The experimental group will receive a ten-week mindfulness program supported by digital tools such as educational videos and LINE Bot messaging. Primary outcomes include mindfulness awareness, physical activity, heart rate variability, cognitive function, sleep quality, perception of aging, and healthy aging perspectives. Additionally, qualitative interviews will be conducted with 10 experimental group participants to explore their intervention experiences.

This study aims to develop an "Emotional Care Competency Scale for Dementia" targeting long-term care professionals and to explore the relationship between caregivers' emotional care competency and their knowledge, attitudes, and confidence in dementia care. A mixed-methods approach will be employed in two exploratory phases: Phase One: Scale Development Participants: Purposeful sampling will recruit experienced long-term care professionals. Method: Conduct qualitative interviews; analyze the collected data using content analysis to code and categorize information; draft the initial version of the Emotional Care Competency Scale for Dementia based on the results. Phase Two: Scale Validation and Relationship Analysis Objective: Validate the reliability and validity of the scale and examine the relationship between professionals' emotional care competency and their knowledge, attitudes, and confidence in dementia care. Design: Longitudinal descriptive correlational study. Participants: Convenience sampling to recruit participants for two rounds of questionnaire surveys. This study seeks to provide a comprehensive tool for assessing emotional care competencies among dementia care professionals and to understand how these competencies relate to their knowledge, attitudes, and confidence in delivering care.

The aim of the second and third year is to construct the "Care model of improving for overweight or obese T2DM with OSA" based on the transtheoretical model, and to import an interactive m-health self-management (m-Health My OSA Coach; MOSAC)" cloud platform to examine the effectiveness of OSA in T2DM participants. A randomized controlled trial study design will be adopted. Eligible OSA participants who have been screened for OSA following the first stage will be invited to the second stage. The participants will be randomly divided into either experimental or control group with 1:1 ratio. The total duration of intervention program is 6 months. Only the experimental group receives the MOSAC intervention.

This study is a randomized controlled trial. The goal of this clinical trial is to introduce scenario-based case videos into the elective course of Emergency Nursing and Applications for first-year students in a two-year program. By using five typical scenario-based case videos, the aim is to guide students through experiential learning and critical thinking, overcome learning difficulties, increase learning interest, and enhance learning outcomes. The main aims of this research are: To explore the effectiveness of emergency scenario-based case teaching on students learning focus, knowledge acquisition, classroom participation, and course satisfaction The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Are there significant differences in emergency nursing knowledge, learning focus, and course satisfaction between students in the experimental group and the control group after different teaching methods are applied? 2. Are there significant differences in classroom participation rates and attendance rates between students in the experimental group and the control group under different teaching methods?

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of using a chatbot to improve mental health and reduce stress among nursing students during their internships. The study will be conducted through convenient sampling of nursing students from a technology university in southern Taiwan. Students will be divided into experimental and control groups to compare differences in mental health and stress levels after receiving support from the chatbot. Expected outcomes include gaining a better understanding of the fundamental characteristics of nursing students and their mental health and stress levels during internships. The results are expected to demonstrate that the chatbot can aid nursing students in handling typical internship issues, stress, and challenges, as well as in accessing mental health resources.

The goal of interventional study is to for the elderly who have poor chewing and eating ability after installing removable dentures through the intervention of oral mastication training and texture and diet education, the effects on oral health, eating ability, nutrition, and physical function changes are confirmed in Elderly individuals residing in Chiayi County who are 65 years of age or older, capable of self-care, conscious, and able to communicate in Mandarin and Taiwanese. The main question it aims to answer is: •Are there significant benefits to oral health, eating ability, nutrition, and physical function through the intervention of oral mastication training and texture and diet education? Researchers will compare changes in oral health, eating ability, nutrition, and physical functioning results to see if oral mastication training is effective. Participants will: * Experimental group: oral mastication training and texture and diet education. * Control group: only texture and diet education. * Cases were tracked in month 1 and will be tracked again in month 6.