Clinical trials

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of an intervention guided by the IFSMT, in which structured education and digitally delivered reinforcement strategies are designed to enhance self-management processes, including knowledge and beliefs, self-regulation skills, and social facilitation, among patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. The intervention, delivered via a mobile platform three times daily over two months, seeks to improve fluid control adherence and hemodialysis self-management behaviours, and to reduce interdialytic weight gain and stabilise pre-hemodialysis mean arterial pressure, compared with standard education alone.

This prospective, three-arm, non-randomized quasi-experimental study aims to evaluate integrated intrapartum supportive care combined with different pushing strategies among women at 37-42 weeks of gestation who receive low-dose epidural analgesia. Participants receive integrated intrapartum supportive care combined with spontaneous pushing, integrated intrapartum supportive care combined with immediate pushing, or routine intrapartum care combined with immediate pushing. The primary outcomes are the durations of the first and second stages of labor. Secondary outcomes include mode of birth, obstetric interventions, maternal outcomes, and neonatal outcomes.

This study aims to help patients with prostate cancer and their spouses cope better with the challenges of cancer by learning and supporting each other together. The investigators will test an 8-week "Dyadic Co-learning Intervention," which includes weekly learning topics, a mobile app, and professional support. The goal is to improve their physical symptoms, emotional well-being, and resilience. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive regular care, while the other group will receive regular care plus the new co-learning program. The investigators will ask both patients and their spouses to complete questionnaires at the beginning of the study, and again at 10 and 16 weeks, to understand how the program affects their health and well-being.

The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate the tailored support for the fear of cancer recurrence in breast, head and neck, colon-rectal or prostate cancer survivors. Based on screening for fear of cancer recurrence, different levels of supportive care will be provided, starting with the oncology nurses' health education and information for those having a lower level of concern. Those who have medium or higher levels of concerns will be randomized to receive "stepping up" either a "ConquerFear psychological cognitive training" or a "healthy lifestyle - individualized exercise and nutrition guidance".

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an information-assisted intervention in enhancing knowledge, decision self-efficacy, and reducing decisional conflict among potential living kidney donors. Using a one-group pretest-posttest design, participants will be recruited from the urology and kidney transplant outpatient clinics of two hospitals in northern Taiwan. After providing informed consent and completing a baseline questionnaire (T0), participants will receive a four-week information-assisted intervention in addition to routine care, with follow-up assessments at 4 weeks (T1) and 8 weeks (T2). Data will be collected using structured questionnaires assessing decisional conflict, decision self-efficacy, knowledge, positive thinking, family resilience, and satisfaction with the intervention.

Block-building activities represent a promising tool for enhancing cognitive and hand function in older adults. When integrated with technological support, they offer personalized training advantages; however, their comprehensive effectiveness requires empirical validation. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a "Technology-Assisted Block Training Program" to explore its effects on cognitive function, hand grip strength, dexterity, and quality of life among community-dwelling older adults, while examining participants' subjective experiences.

Previous studies have shown that baseline pulmonary function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is approximately 8% to 10% lower than in healthy individuals. Under similar infection conditions, respiratory function impairment is more pronounced in T2DM patients. Therefore, this project aims to explore the effects of incentive spirometry (IS) respiratory training combined with an essential oil diffusion device on improving respiratory function in T2DM patients. Over next two years, this study will utilize data from medical history, blood examination, cardiopulmonary endurance evaluations, subjective respiratory symptom assessments, and pulmonary function analyses to demonstrate the improving effect of the intervention in the patients with T2DM and pulmonary infection. In the first year, the study will focus on assessing the improvement in respiratory function among T2DM patients with concurrent pulmonary infections following IS respiratory training. In the second year, three commonly used essential oils (wintergreen, peppermint, and eucalyptus) will be integrated into IS respiratory training. The goal is to enhance patient comfort during training while improving the effectiveness of respiratory training and investigating the mechanisms and effects of different essential oils. The expected outcomes of this study include demonstrating that IS respiratory training combined with an essential oil diffusion device developed by our research team, could more effectively improve the respiratory function of T2DM patients with pulmonary infections. Building on this foundation, the project aims to increase patient comfort during training sessions by incorporating three commonly available essential oils-wintergreen, peppermint, and eucalyptus. This approach is expected to enhance patient acceptance of respiratory training interventions, laying a solid foundation for clinical promotion. Additionally, the study will analyze the differential effects of these essential oils on respiratory function improvement, providing a cornerstone for future clinical research in the fields of chemistry,

This study explores the caregiving needs of male spouses and develops an instant messaging software intervention to provide effective support. The goal is to help male spouses better adjust to their caregiving roles, reduce psychological stress and emotional distress, and improve overall health. A randomized controlled trial will be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the mobile instant messaging intervention, analyzing its impact on reducing psychological distress and improving the quality of life of male spouses.

Background: Cognitive frailty is a state that combines physical weakness and cognitive impairment. As age increases, the prevalence rate also increases. Older adults with cognitive frailty are prone to falls, limited or degraded physical functions, and are at high risk of becoming disabled. It is an essential predictor of dementia and mortality. There are currently very few randomized controlled trial studies on cognitive frailty abroad. Although there are many related studies on senile frailty in Taiwan, most studies examine cognitive function and physical frailty separately. Since cognitive frailty is reversible, early intervention can delay or prevent the occurrence of cognitive frailty. Therefore, cognitive-motor dual tasks are introduced. For more information, see the effectiveness of dual-tasking in cases of cognitive decline. Purpose: Goal is to not only explore the feasibility of a motor-cognition dual-task program for elderly individuals with cognitive frailty but also to compare its impact on cognitive and physical function with existing training programs. By doing so, the purpose of this study will be to provide practical insights that can inform the development of effective interventions for this vulnerable population. Methods: A randomized clinical trial was used to explore the effectiveness of a dual-task intervention program on cognitive function and physical activity in older adults with cognitive frailty. Eligible subjects were recruited through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group used Nintendo Switch to perform dual tasks of motor cognition, while the control group performed regular activities. Twice a week, 60 minutes each time, for eight weeks of training. Both groups completed basic information (demographics, disease characteristics, and lifestyle), cognitive function measurements, and physical activity function measurements in the pre-test (T0) in the 4th week (T1) and 8th week (T2). Cognitive function measurements and physical activity function measurements were performed again. Using SPSS 29.0 as a statistical tool, independent sample t-test and Chi-square test were used to detect the demographic variables, disease treatment variables, living habits, cognitive functions, and physical effects of the two groups-homogeneity of activities. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used as a statistical method to process and analyze repeated measurement data. The effects of the inter-group and time interaction on the two groups' cognitive function and physical activity were studied differently. Expected research results: This study is expected to construct a suitable dual-task program to introduce the role of physical and cognitive function in this group and explore its effectiveness.

Background: As the aging population grows, hospitalized elderly individuals with frailty have become a major concern. Frailty is a complex syndrome linked to aging, marked by dependency and vulnerability. Elderly patients often face chronic diseases, making them more susceptible to frailty. Studies show frailty prevalence in hospitalized elderly patients is 88.7%, and 75.3% among kidney disease patients. Frailty is associated with advanced age, female gender, low body mass index, comorbidities, and poor nutrition, increasing the risks of falls, hospitalization, and mortality. Frail kidney disease patients face worse outcomes. However, frailty is reversible with early intervention. Current treatments, based on comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), require significant resources. This study aims to explore frailty prevention and care through research and intervention development. Purpose: To explore the effectiveness of an intelligent intervention program in improving frailty among hospitalized elderly individuals. Methods: An experimental research design was adopted. A total of 156 hospitalized elderly patients with kidney disease who met the inclusion criteria were recruited through convenience sampling. Participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n = 78) or the control group (n = 78). The experimental group received a 12-week intelligent intervention program, while the control group received routine care.Subsequently, data on frailty level, daily living function 30 days after discharge, and unexpected readmission rate 30 days after discharge will be collected by researchers and analyzed using SPSS 22.0, including chi-square tests, repeated measures ANOVA, and Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) for intra-group and inter-group comparisons of each outcome variable. Expected research results: This study aims to understand the current status and influencing factors of frailty among hospitalized elderly patients with kidney disease and to develop an intelligent intervention program. The goal is to provide clinical nursing staff with a frailty care strategy for hospitalized patients, effectively reducing frailty among elderly inpatients, improving their daily functional ability after discharge, and decreasing hospital readmission rates. Condition or disease: frailty Intervention/treatment: intelligent intervention program

This study aims to address existing research gaps by investigating the effects of technology-assisted horticultural therapy on stress, depression, and happiness among older adults residing in long-term care facilities. By examining the modulation of the autonomic nervous system, the findings will provide a foundation for developing comprehensive health promotion programs that integrate traditional therapeutic practices with modern technology to enhance the well-being of the aging population.

Breast cancer ranks first in Taiwan's top ten gynecological cancers. Chemotherapy is a standard treatment method for colorectal cancer and breast cancer, but while destroying cancer cells, it also destroys healthy cells, resulting in side effects. Peripheral neuropathy can lead to peripheral nerve damage and decreased activity, which affects the patient's quality of life. Currently, there is no standard and effective method for treating peripheral neuropathy caused by chemotherapy. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of percutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on improving peripheral nerve symptoms in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

To evaluate the effectiveness of warm-water footbaths in enhancing pregnancy rates during IVF and to explore the underlying mechanisms involved.

This study developed a Tourette Syndrome (TS) symptom management application (APP) to improve the care needs, sleep quality, anxiety, quality of life, and parenting relationship of parents of children with Tourette Syndrome.

The COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as the most significant public health crisis of the 21st century. As of the end of January 2023, global confirmed cases have exceeded 670 million, with a domestic cumulative total of 10.24 million cases, including occurrences of reinfection. Beyond acute symptoms following infection, patients and society face the challenge of long-term complications associated with COVID-19. Termed 'Post COVID-19 condition' or 'Long COVID' by the World Health Organization (WHO), this encompasses symptoms appearing within three months of the initial infection. Symptoms of Long COVID reveal chronic damage inflicted by the virus on multiple organ systems, including fatigue, cognitive impairment, chest tightness, palpitations, difficulty breathing, and depression. Despite continuous efforts by healthcare professionals to find suitable treatments, no medication has been confirmed to effectively prevent or reduce post-COVID-19 sequelae. These health issues impose significant burdens and disturbances on patients' quality of life, economies, and societies.