Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable

Comparative Effectiveness of Western Pharmacotherapy Versus Integrative Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine for Weight Management in Central Taiwan: A Real-World Cohort Study

Taiwan296 participantsStarted 2026-04-01

Plain-language summary

Obesity is a major public health issue. While modern Western pharmacotherapies (e.g., GLP-1 receptor agonists) and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are utilized for weight management, the comparative effectiveness of their integration remains unclear. This study aims to compare the effects of Western medicine (WM) alone versus integrative WM and TCM on body weight and composition. A retrospective cohort study design will be employed, aiming to enroll approximately 500 patients (BMI ≥ 27) receiving treatment at a regional hospital in Central Taiwan. Participants will be categorized into the WM-only or WM+TCM groups. The primary outcome is the percentage of total body weight loss (%TBWL) at 6 and 12 months. Secondary outcomes include changes in body composition, including fat percentage and the muscle-to-fat ratio (MFR). Statistical analysis will utilize Propensity Score Matching (PSM) or Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting (IPTW) to balance baseline differences and Mixed-Effects Models for Repeated Measures (MMRM) for longitudinal data analysis. Interaction effects between different WM modalities and TCM will be explored (sub-analysis). Preliminary analysis indicated that individualized treatment significantly reduced body fat and increased MFR. This study anticipates further clarifying the advantages of integrative WM+TCM and identifying the optimal synergistic combinations, providing crucial real-world evidence for clinical weight management strategies.

Who can participate

Age range

20 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged ≥20 years * Obesity defined by Health Promotion Administration, Taiwan: BMI ≥27 kg/m², or BMI ≥24 kg/m² with metabolic comorbidities * Received weight management treatment * Primary pharmacologic therapy with: Rybelsus® (oral semaglutide), or Ozempic® (subcutaneous semaglutide) * May have received adjunctive weight-loss medications, including: Mounjaro® (tirzepatide), SGLT2 inhibitors, Contrave® (naltrexone/bupropion) Exclusion Criteria: * Incomplete data, including missing baseline measurements or absence of follow-up records, precluding assessment of treatment effectiveness * Pregnancy or breastfeeding * History of bariatric surgery during the study period (e.g., gastric bypass, gastric banding) * Presence of major medical conditions that may significantly affect body weight independent of obesity treatment (e.g., active malignancy, end-stage organ failure) * Patients deemed unsuitable for inclusion by the investigators (e.g., poor treatment adherence or unreliable data)

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Percentage change in body weight associated with Chinese herbal medicine use

Timeframe: From baseline to end of follow-up (up to 14 months)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07646457

SponsorNational Yang Ming Chiao Tung University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2026-04-28

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