Clinical trials

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.

Previous study found that some NMDA-enhancing agent was able to augment efficacy of clozapine for clinical symptoms but not cognitive function in the treatment of ultra-resistant schizophrenia. In addition, several drugs with anti-inflammatory properties have been tested in clinical trials for the treatment of schizophrenia. Whether a drug with anti-inflammatory property can strengthen the efficacy of an NMDA-enhancer (NMDAE) in the treatment of ultra-resistant schizophrenia remains unknown.

Previous studies found that some NMDA-enhancing agents were able to improve clinical symptoms of patients with schizophrenia. Whether treatment of an NMDA-enhancing agent can benefit the treatment of prodromal schizophrenia deserves study.

Previous studies found that some NMDA-enhancing agent was able to augment antioxidant activity and its adjunctive therapy was better than placebo in reducing clinical symptoms and cognitive deficits and revealed favorable safety in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Of note, a substantial portion of schizophrenia patients refuse or cannot tolerate antipsychotics due to poor response or severe side effects. Therefore, this study aims to examine the efficacy and safety of an NMDA enhancer (NMDAE) as a monotherapy for the treatment of schizophrenia.

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

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is considered a preclinical condition associated with an increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Effective early behavioral interventions remain limited, and the neurobiological mechanisms underlying cognitive training effects are not fully understood, particularly in culturally specific educational contexts. This randomized, assessor-blinded, controlled clinical trial will enroll 60 individuals with SCD to evaluate the effects of a six-month structured Chinese Classics recitation training program. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a non-active control group. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and during annual follow-up. Multimodal evaluations will include neuropsychological testing, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electroencephalography (EEG), blood biomarker profiling, gut microbiota analysis, and fecal metabolomics. The study aims to examine clinical outcomes and explore potential neurobiological and systemic correlates associated with culturally adapted cognitive training.

This study plans to recruit 60 participants aged 65 years and older who have been diagnosed with sarcopenia by a physician. Participants will be randomly assigned into JUICE HA® supplement and placebo group. All of the participants will be asked to take 15 mL/day of JUICE HA® supplement or placebo group for 12 weeks. The aim of this trial is to evaluate the potential of JUICE HA® to enhance physiological status (muscle mass and functional fitness) and to improve the quality of life in patients with sarcopenia.

Breast cancer patients often experience insomnia and physical imbalances during and after treatment, indirectly affecting their quality of life. Therefore, the sleep quality, quality of life, and TCM constitution of breast cancer patients need to be taken seriously. Oral sleep aids are prone to causing additional side effects; therefore, in addition to medication, non-pharmacological therapies can be used to alleviate the insomnia caused by breast cancer patients, thereby improving their quality of life. Because guided exercises are simple to learn, gentle, safe, and can be performed without time constraints, clinicians can apply them to the care of breast cancer patients. It is hoped that the results of this study can provide a reference for other related research.

Taiwan is becoming a super-aged society, and more older adults are living with Alzheimer's disease. Many people with Alzheimer's experience behavioral and psychological symptoms, such as agitation, sleep problems, or mood changes. These symptoms often lower their quality of life and increase stress for their family caregivers. This study will test two wearable devices in people with Alzheimer's and their caregivers. One device, called Geneactiv, is a wristwatch that tracks daily activity and sleep. The other device, called Re-Timer, is a light therapy eyewear that may help improve sleep and mood. Researchers will look at how easy the devices are to use, whether participants are willing to wear them for several weeks, and whether the light therapy helps reduce sleep problems or caregiver stress. The study will also compare information from questionnaires with information collected by the devices. The results may help researchers design future studies using wearable tools to better support people living with dementia and their caregivers.

Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SIS) is characterized by abnormal scapular motion, including decreased upward rotation, increased internal rotation, and excessive anterior tilting, which impair shoulder and arm function. Integrated scapular rehabilitation combines Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) and postural correction exercises. IASTM detects soft tissue restrictions through multidirectional strokes and enhances the pain threshold of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) via reflex hyperemia. Postural correction exercises aim to strengthen weakened muscles and stretch tight ones to improve stability and posture. The combination of these interventions may enhance scapular stability and dynamic control. This study aimed to investigate the effects of integrated scapular rehabilitation on scapular kinematics, movement correction, functional improvement, and pain management in tennis athletes with SIS. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA was used to analyze pre- and post-intervention effects.

The goal of this observational study is to investigate the clinically convenient dynamic and static measurement parameters to identify related risk factors of developing high peak plantar pressure during walking in the type-2 diabetic patients, and then establish a predictive model to estimate the likelihood of excessive plantar pressure. The main question it aims to answer is: Which clinical measurements may be used as the predictors that increased peak plantar pressure in the type-2 diabetic patients? Participants taking the examinations will understand their own clinally meaningful measurements related to their plantar pressure during walking. Further thorough analysis will be employed to develop a predictive model, aiming to provide potential improvement strategies for preventing diabetic foot ulcers in the future.

This is a 12 week double blind RCT aimed to investigate the role of omega-3 fatty acids in patients with major depressive disorder

This is a 12 week randomized controlled study on the effects of omega-3 fatty acids in youth with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with omega-3 deficiency.

This is a 12 week study to investigate the effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

This study will be conducted at the outpatient clinic of China Medical University hospital. It is expected to enroll two groups of 30 subjects, including the experimental group must meet the clinical diagnosis of IBD, and the control group without IBD and have no obvious gastrointestinal symptoms . This proje ct uses modern TCM diagnostic tools, such as tongue diagnosis instrument, auscul tation instrument, TCM constitution questionnaire, and pulse diagnosis instrument to establish the comparison of physiological and biochemical indicators such as TCM phenotype and laboratory tests data in patients with IBD. Besides, another purpose of this project is to analyze the tongue coating metabolites of patients with IBD by mass spectrometry, and to establish a research model of tongue coating an d metabolomics for patien ts with IBD and the prognosis analysis of acute and remission phases.