Mental Health
Conditions
Keywords
schizophrenia patients, acupuncture, antipsychotic side effects, psychiatric symptoms
Brief summary
Among various psychiatric disorders, this study focuses specifically on patients with schizophrenia. The aim of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic effects of acupuncture on antipsychotic medication-related side effects and psychiatric symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. This is a single-blind randomized study. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: Neiguan and Shenmen. Both the Neiguan and Shenmen groups will receive acupuncture treatment twice weekly, with each session lasting 30 minutes, for a total of four consecutive weeks. Assessments will be conducted prior to acupuncture intervention and after each acupuncture session. All assessment data will be collected and analyzed using statistical methods including descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and t-tests. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE-I) and multiple linear regression analyses will be applied to examine differences in psychological health, quality of life, and happiness before and after acupuncture intervention. It is anticipated that acupuncture will reduce antipsychotic-related side effects, improve psychiatric symptoms in patients with schizophrenia, and subsequently enhance patients' quality of life and happiness.
Interventions
OTHERAcupuncture
Both the Neiguan and Shenmen groups will receive acupuncture treatment twice weekly, with each session lasting 30 minutes, for a total of four consecutive weeks. Assessments will be conducted prior to acupuncture intervention and after each acupuncture session.
Sponsors
Calo Psychiatric Center
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Masking description
Participants will be randomly assigned to either the Neiguan group or the Shenmen group.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
20 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Diagnosis of schizophrenia according to DSM-5 criteria for at least six months * Personal and Social Performance Scale score ≥ 50
Exclusion criteria
* Severe medical illnesses (e.g., cancer, chronic liver disease, renal failure) * History of stroke or other causes of hemiplegia * Severe dermatological disease or limb edema * High risk of violence or suicide * Alcohol or substance abuse or dependence * Severe cognitive impairment * Pregnancy or breastfeeding * Severe hepatic, renal, cardiac, pulmonary, or hematological disease * Major infectious diseases (e.g., HIV infection) * Refusal to provide informed consent
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Hamilton Anxiety Scale | 15 minutes | assess the anxiety state |
| Hamilton Depression Scale | 15-20 minutes | assess the depression state |
| Short Version of the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser Side Effect Rating Scale | 5-10 minutes | assess the psychiatric symptoms |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Happiness Scale | 5 minutes | assess the happiness state |
Countries
Taiwan
Outcome results
None listed