Harmonic effects of sham acupuncture at Tsu San Li (St-36) in the radial pulse wave.

Background And Aim: Acupuncture has been criticized as a theatrical placebo for the sham effect. Unfortunately, sham tests used in control groups in acupuncture studies have always ignored the underlying biophysical factors, including resonance involved in acupuncture points and meridians.

Experimental Procedure: In this study, the effects of sham acupuncture at Tsu San Li (St-36) were examined by analyzing noninvasive 30-sec.

Different traditional Chinese medicine constitution is associated with dietary and lifestyle behaviors among adults in Taiwan.

The World Health Organization states prevention of chronic diseases should be based on good lifestyle behaviors and healthy diets as they can reduce the risk of chronic diseases by 80%. The theory of traditional Chinese medicine constitution (TCMC) emphasizes the congenital differences of TCMC stem from the genes of parents, while acquired differences in TCMC are caused by factors as living environments, lifestyle behaviors, and dietary habits. From the perspective of preventive medicine, this study explores the correlation between dietary habits and lifestyle behaviors as potential risk factors for different types of TCMC-balanced constitution, Yang deficiency, Yin deficiency, and Phlegm stasis.

Factors influencing terminal cancer patients' autonomous DNR decision: a longitudinal statutory document and clinical database study.

Objective: Much of our knowledge of patient autonomy of DNR (do-not-resuscitate) is derived from the cross-sectional questionnaire surveys. Using signatures on statutory documents and medical records, we analyzed longitudinal data to understand the fact of terminal cancer patients' autonomous DNR decision-making in Taiwan.

Methods: Using the medical information system database of one public medical center in Taiwan, we identified hospitalized cancer patients who died between Jan.

Effectiveness of Varenicline Versus Combination Nicotine Replacement Therapy for Smoking Cessation: One-Year Outcomes in a Smoking Cessation Clinic in Taiwan.

Introduction: Varenicline and combination nicotine replacement treatment (cNRT) have been recommended as the most effective pharmacotherapies, with equal abstinence rate for smoking cessation in a network meta-analysis of randomized trials, but data from real-world long-term follow-up studies are rare. This study aimed to compare the 12-month sustained abstinence rates of smokers using varenicline versus cNRT in their quit attempt.

Methods: A total of 3569 smokers were recruited via the Department of Family Medicine outpatient department at Kaohsiung Veteran General Hospital between June 2013 and March 2019.

Association between dry eye and traditional Chinese medicine body constitutions: A Taiwanese adults study.

In the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), except for the balanced constitution, other constitutions are unbalanced and may lead to susceptibility to certain diseases. This study made the first efforts to explore the relationship between TCM constitutions and the dry eye condition.This cross-sectional study collected information from 2760 subjects aged 30 to 70 years who had participated in a questionnaire survey conducted by Taiwan Biobank (TWB) in 2012 to 2017.

Body constitution of traditional Chinese medicine caused a significant effect on depression in adult women.

Background: and purpose: Depression is a common mental disorder and reduces quality of life. As traditional Chinese medicine constitution (TCMC) has become an increasingly popular complementary and alternative approach for early detection and treatment of disease, this study investigated the relationship of female-related factors and constitution with depression.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1423 women from the Taiwan Biobank.

Characteristics of Hardcore Male Smokers in Taiwan: A Qualitative Study.

The purpose of this study was to explore the characteristics of hardcore smokers who were previously hospitalized. A descriptive qualitative design was used to investigate a sample of 29 male Taiwanese smokers. Male hardcore smokers were recruited at a hospital in southern Taiwan and their smoking behaviors and attitudes were explored in semistructured interviews.

Long-term smoking cessation rates in elderly versus other adult smokers: A 3-year follow-up study in Taiwan.

Introduction: Smoking cessation improves life expectancy at any age. There is some evidence that elderly smokers have at least as good a chance of successfully stopping as other smokers but direct comparisons with long-term follow up are rare. This study aimed to compare success rates up to 3 years in smokers aged 65+ versus other adult smokers with and without adjustment for a range of other smoker characteristics.

Comparative Effectiveness of Smoking Cessation Medications: A National Prospective Cohort From Taiwan.

Background And Objective: Relative effectiveness of smoking cessation medications-varenicline, bupropion and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)-remains unclear among smokers in real-world settings. Evidence in females and smokers with light/moderate nicotine dependence is particularly insufficient. This study compared the effectiveness of varenicline, bupropion or NRT gum relative to NRT patch, in achieving abstinence among recent quitters.

The incidence and risk of osteoporosis in patients with anxiety disorder: A Population-based retrospective cohort study.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between anxiety disorder (AD) and the subsequent development of osteoporosis.We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort analysis according to the data in the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000 of Taiwan. We included 7098 patients in both the AD and no-anxiety cohort who were matched according to age and sex between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2013.

Gender Differences in Outcome of an Attempt to Stop Smoking Among Smokers Attending a Smoking Cessation Clinic in Taiwan: 3-Year Follow-Up Study.

Studies that have examined gender differences in smoking cessation have produced mixed results. The purpose of the study was to examine whether there are gender differences in long-term smoking abstinence rates in smokers treated with nicotine patches at a smoking cessation clinic in Taiwan, where 39% of men and 5% of women smoke. This study included 1,065 smokers, comprising of 940 men and 125 women.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Cigarette Withdrawal Scale (Chinese Version) in Male Smokers in Taiwan.

Background: Symptoms of smoking withdrawal are a central feature of nicotine dependence. A valid and reliable measure of these symptoms is important to better understand nicotine dependence and to develop effective interventions.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the Cigarette Withdrawal Scale (CWS-C).

Varenicline versus transdermal nicotine patch: a 3-year follow-up in a smoking cessation clinic in Taiwan.

Rationale: A network meta-analysis of randomized trials and real-world comparative studies strongly suggest that varenicline is more effective in aiding smoking cessation than single form nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Modeling the health benefits attributable to this difference relies on extrapolation to lifetime cessation, but to date, follow-up has only extended to 12 months. Longer term follow-up data are helpful in checking these assumptions.

A comparison of the effectiveness of varenicline and transdermal nicotine patch in outpatients following a standardized smoking cessation program in Southern Taiwan.

`Varenicline use has been shown to produce greater long-term smoking cessation rates than bupropion but has no clear differences compared to the transdermal nicotine patch. We performed this study to compare the effectiveness of varenicline with the nicotine patch at 3 and 6 months of follow-up of patients in an outpatient smoking cessation program provided by a hospital in Southern Taiwan. The sample consisted of 463 patients who attended the smoking cessation program at the outpatient family medicine clinic at Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital between March 2006 and December 2008.

Smoking cessation program in outpatient clinics of Family Medicine Department in Taiwan: a longitudinal evaluation.

The Government of Taiwan has imposed a tobacco health tax of NT$5 (US$0.14) per pack of cigarettes since January 2002. The Department of Health has now begun to fund a smoking cessation program that provides nicotine-replacement therapy (NRT) and brief counseling by physicians in outpatient clinics.

Factors related to incomplete flexible sigmoidoscopy among adult Chinese in Taiwan.

Background: Sigmoidoscopy is effective in colorectal cancer screening, but incomplete examinations may overlook colonic pathologies and delay diagnosis. This study aimed to explore risk factors for incomplete insertions of flexible sigmoidoscopy among Taiwanese.

Methods: Healthy adults participating in health check-up in a tertiary medical center were invited for study.

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of varenicline, a selective alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist, as a new therapy for smoking cessation in Asian smokers.

Background: Rates of smoking in East Asian men range from >35% to >60%, and are increasing in women and the young.

Objective: This study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of 1 mg BID varenicline, a novel alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist, for smoking cessation in smokers in Taiwan and Korea.

Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 12-week treatment, 12-week follow-up trial was conducted at 5 sites each in Korea and Taiwan.