Autonomic Nervous System and Meridian Energy in Patients With Schizophrenia

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 hasnot had any changes in medication dosage or admission to a psychiatric acutecare 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), orsubstance abuse issues.

• Individuals who have used medications affecting the autonomic nervous systemwithin the past month, such as mood stabilizers, antidepressants,angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors inhibitors, β-blockers, orantiarrhythmics.

• 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), orsubstance abuse issues.

• Individuals who have used medications affecting the autonomic nervous systemwithin the past month, such as psychiatric medications, angiotensin-convertingenzyme 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.