Nantou City

Researchers are evaluating the combined use of auricular acupressure ear seeds and nicotine replacement therapy NRT among psychiatric inpatients aged 18 to 65 who are required to abstain from smoking due to a smoke-free hospital environment. The study aims to determine if auricular acupressure can reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms, craving, and anxiety compared to standard care with NRT alone. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either active or sham auricular acupressure alongside their NRT treatment. Participants will all receive standard NRT prescribed by their psychiatrists, including nicotine patches or gum at doses tailored to their nicotine dependence level. The experimental group will have Vaccaria seeds applied to five specific ear acupuncture points, while the control group will receive sham patches without seeds. Both groups will press the ear patches three times daily for four weeks, with weekly replacement of the patches to maintain hygiene and adhesion. During the study, participants will complete assessments measuring craving, nicotine withdrawal symptoms, and anxiety levels at baseline, day 14, and day 28. Heart rate variability will also be monitored to assess autonomic nervous system function. The research team will closely track adherence and any changes in symptoms throughout the 28-day intervention period to evaluate the potential benefits of adding auricular acupressure to standard nicotine replacement therapy.

This research aims to explore the use of cranial electrotherapy stimulation CES to improve cognition, anxiety, depression, sleep, and overall quality of life in patients with chronic mental illness living in nursing homes. These residents often face loneliness, depression, and anxiety, and there is limited research on how CES might affect their cognitive status. The study is an interventional trial conducted with participants who meet specific cognitive and educational criteria. Participants are randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving CES or a control group with no intervention. The experimental group undergoes CES five times a week, each session lasting 40 minutes, for a total of 12 weeks. Before starting, participants complete a questionnaire, then again after the intervention and once more after a three-month follow-up period. If any discomfort such as dizziness or skin irritation occurs during CES, the treatment is stopped immediately for evaluation and care. During the study, participants will complete questionnaires to assess sleep quality, depression, cognition, and anxiety from enrollment through the 12-week treatment period. Researchers will monitor these outcomes to understand the effects of CES on these conditions. Personal data is kept confidential and coded for privacy. Participants who complete the data collection will receive a gift voucher. The total duration includes the treatment and follow-up assessments extending beyond the 12-week intervention.