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NCT Number: NCT07351240

The Acupuncture Treatment Effect in Patients With Schizophrenia

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.

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This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

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Key information

Conditions

Mental Health Behavior Personal Satisfaction Psychological Well-Being

Age range

20 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Calo Psychiatric Center

Pingtung City, 925, Taiwan

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

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

Treatment and study plan

Acupuncture

Other

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. Hamilton Anxiety Scale

    Time frame: 15 minutes

    assess the anxiety state

  2. Hamilton Depression Scale

    Time frame: 15-20 minutes

    assess the depression state

  3. Short Version of the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser Side Effect Rating Scale

    Time frame: 5-10 minutes

    assess the psychiatric symptoms

Secondary outcomes

  1. Happiness Scale

    Time frame: 5 minutes

    assess the happiness state

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Calo Psychiatric Center

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Quality of Life of Acupuncture Treatment Effect in Patients With Schizophrenia

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jan 20, 2026
Registry last updated
Jan 22, 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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