Comparative Effectiveness of Western Pharmacotherapy Versus Integrative Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine for Weight Management in Central Taiwan: A Real-World Cohort Study

Obesity is a major public health issue. While modern Western pharmacotherapies (e.g., GLP-1 receptor agonists) and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are utilized for weight management, the comparative effectiveness of their integration remains unclear. This study aims to compare the effects of Western medicine (WM) alone versus integrative WM and TCM on body weight and composition. A retrospective cohort study design will be employed, aiming to enroll approximately 500 patients (BMI ≥ 27) receiving treatment at a regional hospital in Central Taiwan. Participants will be categorized into the WM-only or WM+TCM groups. The primary outcome is the percentage of total body weight loss (%TBWL) at 6 and 12 months. Secondary outcomes include changes in body composition, including fat percentage and the muscle-to-fat ratio (MFR). Statistical analysis will utilize Propensity Score Matching (PSM) or Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting (IPTW) to balance baseline differences and Mixed-Effects Models for Repeated Measures (MMRM) for longitudinal data analysis. Interaction effects between different WM modalities and TCM will be explored (sub-analysis). Preliminary analysis indicated that individualized treatment significantly reduced body fat and increased MFR. This study anticipates further clarifying the advantages of integrative WM+TCM and identifying the optimal synergistic combinations, providing crucial real-world evidence for clinical weight management strategies.

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Key information

Conditions

Obesity & Overweight Body Weight Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Obesity Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

20 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University

Taipei, 112, Taiwan

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Adults aged ≥20 years
Obesity defined by Health Promotion Administration, Taiwan: BMI ≥27 kg/m², or BMI ≥24 kg/m² with metabolic comorbidities
Received weight management treatment
Primary pharmacologic therapy with: Rybelsus® (oral semaglutide), or Ozempic® (subcutaneous semaglutide)
May have received adjunctive weight-loss medications, including: Mounjaro® (tirzepatide), SGLT2 inhibitors, Contrave® (naltrexone/bupropion)

Exclusion criteria

Incomplete data, including missing baseline measurements or absence of follow-up records, precluding assessment of treatment effectiveness
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
History of bariatric surgery during the study period (e.g., gastric bypass, gastric banding)
Presence of major medical conditions that may significantly affect body weight independent of obesity treatment (e.g., active malignancy, end-stage organ failure)
Patients deemed unsuitable for inclusion by the investigators (e.g., poor treatment adherence or unreliable data)

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

Percentage change in body weight associated with Chinese herbal medicine use

Time frame: From baseline to end of follow-up (up to 14 months)

Percentage change in body weight from baseline will be calculated and compared between participants exposed to Chinese herbal medicine and non-exposed participants during the study period.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2026
Primary completion: 2026
Study completion: 2026
First posted: Jun 12, 2026
Registry last updated: Jun 12, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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