Clinical trials

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline, including impaired learning ability, memory loss, and behavioral disturbances. According to surveys conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Taiwan, the prevalence of dementia among individuals aged 65 years and older was estimated at 7.86% in 2018, affecting more than 280,000 individuals, and is projected to approach 900,000 by 2065, resulting in substantial medical, social, and economic burdens. Current pharmacological treatments provide only limited symptomatic benefits and may be associated with adverse effects. Therefore, safe and effective non-pharmacological interventions that may support cognitive function and reduce caregiver burden are urgently needed. Experimental studies suggest that far-infrared (FIR) irradiation may enhance mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, increase ATP production, and promote microglial amyloid-β clearance, which may help delay the progression of Alzheimer's disease. This trial aims to investigate the safety and effects of far-infrared (FIR) therapy on cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The findings may support the clinical application of FIR therapy as a non-pharmacological intervention to improve cognitive function and quality of life, reduce medication burden and treatment-related side effects, lessen caregiver burden, delay institutionalization, and reduce the social and economic burden associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) are a common and serious complication of osteoporosis, particularly among elderly and postmenopausal patients. OVCFs may result in severe pain, functional impairment, spinal deformity, and reduced quality of life. Conventional conservative treatments, including bed rest, analgesics, and bracing, may provide limited symptom relief. Minimally invasive vertebral augmentation procedures, such as vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, have been widely used to improve clinical outcomes; however, risks including bone cement leakage and incomplete vertebral restoration remain concerns. The Vessel-X® Bone Filling Container System, manufactured by Central Medical Technologies Inc. (CMT), is a third-generation vesselplasty technology designed for percutaneous vertebral augmentation procedures. The system utilizes an implantable biocompatible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) container with a microporous structure for controlled bone cement delivery. The implant remains within the vertebral body after cement injection and is designed to reduce cement leakage while maintaining vertebral height restoration and pain relief. This post-market clinical study evaluates the safety and clinical effectiveness of the Vessel-X® Bone Filling Container System at two medical centers in Taiwan with a total target enrollment of 146 subjects: Tri-Service General Hospital (TSGH): 86 subjects randomized in a 1:1 ratio to the experimental and control groups. Taoyuan General Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare (TYGH): 60 subjects randomized in a 1:1 ratio to the experimental and control groups. The primary objective is to evaluate the safety of the device by assessing the incidence of unanticipated serious adverse device effects (USADEs). Secondary objectives include evaluation of pain reduction measured by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), functional recovery assessed by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and radiographic outcomes including vertebral height restoration and kyphotic deformity correction.