Autonomic Nervous System and Meridian Energy in Patients With Schizophrenia

Explore the Differences in Autonomic Nervous System and Meridian Energy Between Patients With Schizophrenia and Healthy Individuals

This study aims to explore the differences in autonomic nervous function and meridian energy between schizophrenia patients and healthy individuals. By understanding the meridian and organ conditions of individuals, the study aims to align with the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) concept of "treating disease before it arises" and provide comprehensive care to patients, thereby improving the quality of care.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Schizophrenia; Healthy Individuals
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: no intervention

Detailed Description

Data collection was conducted at a medical center in northern Taiwan. Sample size estimation was performed using G*Power 3.1. A total of 50 patients with schizophrenia were assigned to the disease group, and 50 healthy individuals were assigned to the control group, with a total of 100 participants expected. Data collection included: personal demographic questionnaire, body constitution questionnaire (BCQ), WHOQOL-BREF (Taiwan version) for quality of life, brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS), heart rate variability (HRV), meridian energy

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 100

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Yi-Min Pan; Phone Number: 262380 886-2-23123456; Email: annie9674@ntuh.gov.tw

Study Locations

• Taiwan
  • Taipei, Taiwan, 100229
    • Recruiting
    • National Taiwan University Hospital
    • Contact: Yi-Min Pan; Phone Number: 262380 886-2231-23456; Email: annie9674@ntuh.gov.tw

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

1. Disease group(schizophrenia):According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), individuals who meet the criteria for a diagnosis of schizophrenia.
2. Control group(healthy individuals):No history of chronic illness in the past and no acute symptoms within the past month.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Disease group：

   • Diagnosed with schizophrenia by a physician (ICD-10 code F20, such as F20.0, F20.1, F20.2, F20.3, F20.5, F20.89, or F20.9), with stable condition, and has not had any changes in medication dosage or admission to a psychiatric acute care unit in the past 3 months.
   • Aged between 18 and 65 years.
   • Able to understand, speak, read, and write Mandarin or Taiwanese.

2. Control group：

   • No history of chronic illness and no acute symptoms within the past month.
   • Aged between 18 and 65 years.
   • Able to understand, speak, read, and write Mandarin or Taiwanese.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Disease group：

   • Individuals with cardiovascular conditions, severe neurological disorders (e.g., organic brain disorders, early-stage dementia or diagnosed dementia), or substance abuse issues.
   • Individuals who have used medications affecting the autonomic nervous system within the past month, such as mood stabilizers, antidepressants, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors inhibitors, β-blockers, or antiarrhythmics.
   • Individuals with metallic implants that could affect heart rate variability.
   • Individuals with involuntary and uncontrollable body tremors.
   • Women currently menstruating.
   • Pregnant women.

2. Control group：

   • Individuals with cardiovascular conditions, severe neurological disorders (e.g., organic brain disorders, early-stage dementia or diagnosed dementia), or substance abuse issues.
   • Individuals who have used medications affecting the autonomic nervous system within the past month, such as psychiatric medications, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors inhibitors, β-blockers, or antiarrhythmics .
   • Individuals with metallic implants that could affect heart rate variability.
   • Individuals with involuntary and uncontrollable body tremors.
   • Women currently menstruating.
   • Pregnant women.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
schizophrenia; According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), individuals who meet the criteria for a diagnosis of schizophrenia.	Other: no intervention; no intervention
healthy individuals; No history of chronic illness in the past and no acute symptoms within the past month.	Other: no intervention; no intervention

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
meridian energy	Measuring the body energy under static balance conditions using principles of electromagnetic induction technology.The measurement items include:lung meridian (LU), large intestine meridian (LI), stomach meridian (ST), spleen meridian (SP), heart meridian (HT), small intestine meridian (SI), bladder meridian (BL), kidney meridian (KI), pericardium meridian (PC), triple burner meridian (SJ), gallbladder meridian (GB), liver meridian (LR)	This study is a cross-sectional study with a single follow-up. Participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be included in the study, with a recruitment period of one year.
heart rate variability	Assessing autonomic nervous system activity through the measurement of RR intervals. The measurement items include: the square root of the mean squared differences of successive NN intervals , NN50 count divided by the total number of all NN intervals, HRV triangular index, low frequency power, high frequency power, LF/HF Ratio, total power	This study is a cross-sectional study with a single follow-up. Participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be included in the study, with a recruitment period of one year.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: National Taiwan University Hospital

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): September 5, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 19, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 19, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 2, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 26, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): September 27, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): October 2, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 30, 2024
• Last Verified: August 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders; Schizophrenia
• Other Study ID Numbers: 202407147RINC

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No