Acupuncture Treatment for Schizophrenia-related Central Obesity

Study on the Optimal Scheme of Acupuncture Treatment for Schizophrenia-related Central Obesity

This clinical trial aims to test the effect of acupuncture in patients with schizophrenia-related central obesity. The main question it aims to answer is:

• The effect, safety, and maintenance of acupuncture on schizophrenia-related central obesity.

Participants will receive acupuncture treatment on purpose acupoints, acupuncture on acupoint peripheries, or fake acupuncture treatment on purpose acupoints for 20 weeks. And they need three follow-up visits during the treatment period and two follow-up visits after treatment.

Researchers will compare the waist circumstance of these three groups to see if the purpose acupoints are valid for schizophrenia-related central obesity.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis with schizophrenia (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: Fifth Edition);
• Continuous use of antipsychotics for more than one year (may be combined with mood stabilizers, antianxiety medications, antidepressants, and benzodiazepines);
• Abdominal obesity (central obesity): waist circumference ≥90cm for men or ≥85cm for women (Chinese Standard);
• All participants and their guardians signed informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Had various traditional Chinese medicine or chemical drugs, or acupuncture treatments for central obesity within two weeks before enrollment;
• Pregnant or lactating woman;
• Organic mental disorders and mental disorders induced by psychoactive and non-addictive substances;
• With other diseases affecting their mental state (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, stroke, painful joint diseases, severe psychiatric diseases, tumors, and other physical diseases)
• Severe liver and kidney insufficiency or other serious diseases of the system;
• With a family history of metabolic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia;
• Acupuncture dizziness, needle phobia, and other intolerant acupuncture treatment;
• Patients who are not treated according to the regulations, cannot determine the efficacy or have incomplete data affecting the efficacy and safety evaluation.