Organic Integration of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicines—Future of Clinical Practice Guidelines of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicines

The transformation and implementation of clinical practice guidelines for integrated traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)and Western medicine(WM)is crucial to the adoption of medical science and technological findings and is an important way for TCM to be made available to the world.First,clinical practice guidelines(CPGs)of TCM and WM integration in recent years was analyzed to clarify the current situation and problems in the existing guidelines according to the following four perspectives:(1)perspective of TCM and WM integration in guidelines,(2)diagnosis Using integrated TCM and WM,(3)integration of TCM and WM treatment,(4)promoting TCM and WM integration.Secondly,the information and quality evaluation of CPGs for integrated Chinese and Western medicine in 2020–2022 were analyzed to explore the degree and methods of integration of Chinese and Western medicine guidelines.And last this study aimed to lay a foundation for the further establishment of Chinese characteristic,repeatable,and calculable clinical practice guidelines of TCM and WM integration.

Research on the development methodology for clinical practice guidelines for organic integration of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine

Integrated traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)and Western medicine(WM)is a new medical science grounded in the knowledge bases of both TCM and WM,which then forms a unique modern medical system in China.Integrated TCM and WM has a long history in China,and has made important achievements in the process of clinical diagnosis and treatment.However,the methodological defects in currently published clinical practice guidelines(CPGs)limit its development.The organic integration of TCM and WM is a deeper integration of TCM and WM.To realize the progression of"integration"to"organic integration",a targeted and standardized guideline development methodology is needed.Therefore,the purpose of this study is to establish a standardized development procedure for clinical practice guidelines for the organic integration of TCM and WM to promote the systematic integration of TCM and WM research results into clinical practice guidelines in order to achieve optimal results as the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

Application of multidisciplinary team-based integrated traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine in rotator cuff injury patients undergoing arthroscopic surgery

BACKGROUND Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is a common surgical treatment for rotator cuff injuries(RCIs).Although this procedure has certain clinical advantages,it requires rehabilitation management interventions to ensure therapeutic efficacy.AIM To investigate the effect of integrated traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine(TCM-WM)under the multidisciplinary team(MDT)model on the postoperative recovery of patients undergoing arthroscopic surgery for RCIs.METHODS This study enrolled 100 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for RCIs at the Seventh People’s Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between June 2021 and May 2024.They were divided into a control group(n=48)that received routine rehabilitation treatment and an experimental group(n=52)that received TCM-WM under the MDT model(e.g.,acupuncture,TCM traumatology and orthopedics,and rehabilitation).The results of the Constant–Murley Shoulder Score(CMS),Visual Analogue Scale(VAS),Shoulder Pain and Disability Index(SPADI),muscular strength evaluation,and shoulder range of motion(ROM)assessments were analyzed.RESULTS After treatment,the experimental group showed significantly higher CMS scores in terms of pain,functional activity,shoulder joint mobility,and muscular strength than the baseline and those of the control group.The experimental group also exhibited significantly lower VAS and SPADI scores than the baseline and those of the control group.In addition,the experimental group showed significantly enhanced muscular strength(forward flexor and external and internal rotator muscles)and shoulder ROM(forward flexion,abduction,and lateral abduction)after treatment compared with the control group.CONCLUSION TCM-WM under the MDT model improved shoulder joint function,relieved postoperative pain,promoted postoperative functional recovery,and facilitated the recovery of muscular strength and shoulder ROM in patients with RCIs who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Quality of life and survival analyses of breast cancer cases treated with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine

BACKGROUND Breast cancer(BC)is the second leading cause of tumor-related mortality after lung cancer.Chemotherapy resistance remains a major challenge to progress in BC treatment,warranting further exploration of feasible and effective alternative therapies.AIM To analyzed the quality of life(QoL)and survival of patients with BC treated with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine(TCM-WM).METHODS This study included 226 patients with BC admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between February 2018 and February 2023,including 100 who received conventional Western medicine treatment(control group)and 126 who received TCM-WM treatment(research group).The total effective rate,side effects(alopecia,nausea and vomiting,hepatorenal toxicity,and myelosuppression),QoL assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire(EORTC QLQ-C30),1-year overall survival(OS),recurrence and metastasis rates,and serum inflammatory factors[interleukin(IL)-6,IL-10,and tumor necrosis factor alpha]were comparatively analyzed.RESULTS The research group showed statistically better overall efficacy,EORTC QoL-C30 scores,and 1-year OS than the control group,with markedly lower side effects and 1-year recurrence and metastasis rates.Moreover,the posttreatment levels of serum inflammatory in the research group were significantly lower than the baseline and those in the control group.CONCLUSION Overall,TCM-WM demonstrated significantly improved therapeutic efficacy while ensuring drug safety in BC,which not only improved patients’QoL and prolonged survival,but also significantly inhibited the inflammatory response.

An Ultimate Approach to Retarding the Aging Process by Integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine

Aging and death are unavoidable in life. While immortality may be impossible, many people dream of living a long and healthy life. Throughout history, humans have searched for ways to stay young, but have not found an effective way. This may be because the methods used do not target the causes of aging directly. To address this, we investigated how to delay aging using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine approaches. In this article, we will explain the causes of aging in the context of TCM and Western medicine and suggest methods to delay it. By integrating TCM and Western medicine, I hope to help everyone age healthily and enjoy a long life.

Research progress of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer

Gastric cancer(GC)is a malignant tumor originating from the gastric epithelium,and its incidence and mortality rates rank third among all malignant tumors worldwide.It is also one of the most common cancers in China and is treated predominantly by Western medicine in clinical practice.However,with the advancements in medical technology and informatics,the values of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)in preventing and treating GC and improving prognosis have increasingly been recognized.According to TCM,clinical manifestations of GC can be divided into Yege(dysphagia),regurgitation,stomach pain,and Zhengxia(abdominal mass).Due to the unbalanced distribution of health care resources in China,most GC patients already have progressive or advanced-stage disease at the first diagnosis.As a result,most GC patients have poor physical function,and surgery or chemotherapy alone will aggravate the impairment to the immune function and seriously affect the quality of life.In contrast,TCM therapies have shown promising efficacy in the management of these patients.Here we review the role of the integrated TCM and Western medicine in treating advanced GC.

Expert consensus on diagnosis and treatment of ulcerative colitis with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine:A nursing perspective

Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a chronic nonspecific intestinal inflammatory disease of unclear etiology,characterized by continuous and diffuse inflammatory changes of colorectal mucosa.In recent years,the incidence rate of UC in China has increased year by year,but there is no effective cure method in Western medicine.Traditional Chinese medicine treatment based on syndrome differentiation has the unique advantages of simplicity,convenience,effectiveness,and low cost.Therefore,integration of Chinese and Western medicine has become an important strategy for UC diagnosis and treatment,and has made significant progress in UC.On the basis of learning from a number of consensuses at home and abroad,combined with Chinese research results and the actual clinical situation of traditional Chinese and Western medicine,the UC group of the Chinese Association of Integrative Medicine has formulated the expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of UC with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine.In this consensus,the pathogenesis,etiology and pathogenesis,diagnosis,integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment,and chronic disease management with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine for UC were recommended by experts.This article interprets the consensus from the perspective of nursing in order to provide reference basis for clinical nursing workers.

Treatment of postpartum depression with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine nursing and electrical stimulation

BACKGROUND Postpartum depression(PPD)is a common psychological disease among puerperal women,and postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction is a common disease among pregnant women.The occurrence of postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction will increase the incidence of PPD.AIM To explore the therapeutic effect of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine nursing combined with electrical stimulation of pelvic floor muscles and the rectus abdominis on PPD.METHODS From April 2020 to January 2022,100 parturients with a rectus abdominis muscle separation distance>2.0 cm who underwent reexamination 6 wk after delivery at our hospital were selected as the research subjects.According to the random number table method,the patients were divided into either an observation group(n=50)or a control group(n=50).There was no significant difference in the general data between the two groups(P>0.05).Both groups were treated by electrical stimulation.The observation group was additionally treated by integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine nursing.A self-designed Depression Knowledge Questionnaire was used to evaluate the awareness of knowledge on depression in all patients 3 wk after intervention.The Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD)was used to evaluate the depression before intervention and 1 wk and 3 wk after intervention,and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale(MMAS-8)was used to evaluate the medication compliance.SPSS19.0 was used for statistical analyses.RESULTS The rate of awareness of knowledge on depression in the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).The scores of MMAS-8 were comparable between the two groups before intervention(P>0.05),but were significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group at 1 wk and 3 wk after intervention(P<0.05).The HAMD scores were comparable between the two groups before intervention(P>0.05),but were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group at 1 wk and 3 wk after intervention(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine nursing combined with electrical stimulation of pelvic floor muscles and the rectus abdominis is effective in the treatment of postpartum depression and worthy of clinical promotion.

A Clinical Study of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine in the Treatment of Liver-Stomach Disharmony Functional Dyspepsia

Objective:To explore the clinical effect of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of liver-stomach disharmony functional dyspepsia.Methods:Sixty patients with functional dyspepsia of liver-stomach disharmony type admitted to our hospital from January to August 2022 were selected as research subjects and randomly divided into two groups,a study group and a control group,with 30 cases in each group.The main observations were stomachache or pain over bilateral flanks,emotionally depressed,belching,fullness and discomfort over the abdomen and flanks,acid regurgitation,loss of appetite,frequent sighing,noisy epigastric,and the treatment effect.Results:According to the classification of symptom severity on the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)symptom score table,statistics were made on the corresponding severity of the main symptoms and secondary symptoms of the two groups of patients,and the data of the two groups were compared by Wilcoxon test.The results showed that there was no significant difference in the distribution of TCM symptoms between the two groups;the study group’s total effective rate of pain relief(recovery+markedly effective+effective)was 96.67%,and Fisher’s χ^(2) test indicated a significant difference in the total effective rate of pain relief between the two groups(P=0.027<0.05).Conclusion:The use of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine is clearly better than the simple application of western medicine.It is safe and has no side effects.It can be used as a treatment for patients with functional dyspepsia.

Nursing perspective of expert consensus for diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine

Gastric cancer is a common and highly malignant tumor of the digestive system,which seriously threatens human health.The benefit of surgical treatment is limited.The effect of radiotherapy and chemotherapy is not significant,and the toxic and side effects are large.Although the diagnosis and treatment modes of molecular targeting and multidisciplinary cooperation have also been further developed and applied,a relatively unified comprehensive treatment standard scheme has not been formed.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),as complementary and alternative medicine,has unique advantages in the development of diagnosis and treatment of diseases in China.Therefore,the Chinese Association of Integrative Medicine formed“Expert Consensus for Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastric Cancer with Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine”on the basis of clinical practice and experience.In this article,the consensus is interpreted from the perspective of nursing,focusing on the pathogenesis,high‑risk factors,characteristic therapies of TCM,and nursing of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine for gastric cancer,to provide a reference for front‑line medical personnel in the roots in the future nursing care of gastric cancer.

Treatment and prevention of diabetes complicated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine

Today’s social economy and science and technology levels are developing rapidly.Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is increasing in incidence,and T2DM promotes non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)through some mechanisms.The pathogenesis of T2DM and NAFLD is interconnected,interacted with,and promoted.While increasing the economic burden on patients,it also affects the quality and life of patients themselves.In the world,the current treatment methods include exercise and diet control,drugs(including sugar reduction,lipid-lowering drugs,etc.),weight loss surgery,etc.,but currently,researching drugs can only control the progress of the disease.At present,there is no drug for T2DM combined with NAFLD treatment.Therefore,it is necessary to find and study effective drugs for NAFLD.Based on the principle of“syndrome differentiation,”traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)played an important role in treating this disease.The theory of TCM believes that the cause of NAFLD is mostly diet disorders and imbalances in daily life,leading to liver Qi stagnation,spleen dysfunction,and liver and kidney deficiency,producing phlegm and stasis.During the treatment process,we must pay attention to the goal of phlegm turbidity,but also pay attention to the source of phlegm turbidity,strengthen the spleen and stomach,nourish the liver and kidney,and restore the physiological function of the body.The ingredients of Chinese medicine extracts have the effects of antagonist oxidation stress,protecting liver cells,improving fibrous soluble systems,and promoting lipid metabolism,thereby reducing inflammatory factors to release damage to liver cells.By combining the diagnosis of TCM syndromes with Western medical disease diagnosis,the model of disease diagnosis combined with syndrome differentiation can compensate for some of the limitations of TCM’s sole reliance on syndrome differentiation,allowing for a better grasp of the disease.In treatment,a dual approach using traditional Chinese and Western medicine can enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity,leveraging both complementary strengths.Chinese medicine explains its treatment of NAFLD from a macro and micro level,providing a safer and more effective method for treating the disease.

Application of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of juvenile localized scleroderma with skin ulcer: a case report

Background:Juvenile Localized Scleroderma(JLS)is a rare pediatric rheumatic disease characterized by inflammation and skin sclerosis.The side effect of consensus-recommended medications and the risk of disability posed challenges to the JLS treatment.We intend to demonstrate the potential of traditional Chinese medicine in treating JLS with skin ulcers and reducing the dose of glucocorticoid.Method:Here we report a case of a 13-year-old male with JLS who took oral methotrexate tablets of 10 mg/week and methylprednisolone of 6 mg/day for over six months without significant effect and suffered from skin ulcers on the dorsal feet one month after drug cessation.Subsequently,the patient was treated with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine of low-dose glucocorticosteroid,adjusted Shenqi Huoxue formula and Jinshe Xiaoyan formula,etc.Results:After integrated treatment,the patient’s dorsal feet ulcers healed and the skin sclerosis and hyperpigmentation improved significantly.Conclusions:This case report suggests that integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine can be used as an effective treatment for JLS.

Efficiency of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine on Outcomes in Patients with Sepsis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background:Sepsis is a life-threatening disease with high mortality and a poor prognosis,partly due to a lack of effective treatments.Therefore,more effective treatments are urgently needed.Methods:Eight databases were searched for use of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) for sepsis.A meta-analysis was performed using Stata 15.0 software.The 28-day mortality,length of hospital stay,and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE-Ⅱ) score were the outcomes of this study.The Cochrane Collaboration tool for assessing risk of bias was used for quality assessment.Results:Ten studies with a total of 847 patients were included in this meta-analysis.Compared with the control group,the experimental group had lower 28-day mortality(relative risk [RR] 0.67;95% confidence interval [CI] 0.53 to 0.84;P=0.001),shorter hospital stay(weighted mean difference [WMD]-2.17;95% CI:-3.2 to -1.14;P=0.000) and lower APACHE-Ⅱ score(WMD-2.164;95% CI:-3.236 to -1.091;P=0.000).Conclusion:Our results demonstrate that TCM together with standard Western medicine was associated with significantly lower 28-day mortality,APACHE Ⅱ scores,and shorter hospital intensive care unit stays,suggesting that TCM might be an effective alternative treatment for sepsis.

Therapeutic Effect of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Anal Pruritus After Anorectal Surgery

Objective:To explore the therapeutic effect of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine on anal pruritus after anorectal surgery.Methods:Ninety-eight patients with anal pruritus after anorectal surgery in our hospital were selected as the research subjects.They were divided into two groups,the control group(50 cases)and the study group(48 cases),according to the treatment plan.The control group was under a simple western medicine treatment plan,while the study group was under an integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine treatment plan.The overall efficacy,severity of anal pruritus,time to eliminate clinical symptoms,and anxiety and depression scores of the two groups of patients under different treatment plans were compared.Results:After two weeks of treatment,the total effective rate of the study group was 95.83%,which was significantly higher than that of the control group(82.00%,P<0.05).After 7 and 14 days of treatment,the anal pruritus scores improved significantly in both the groups,but the study group was superior to the control group,with statistical difference(P<0.01).The time of disappearance of skin itching and skin damage in the study group was shorter than that in the control group.After 14 days of treatment,the anxiety and depression scores of both groups were lower than those after 7 days of treatment;however,there was statistical difference between the two groups(P<0.01).Conclusion:In the clinical treatment of anorectal postoperative diseases,such as anal pruritus,the combination of traditional Chinese and western medicine can significantly improve the symptoms of pruritus,shorten the time of disappearance of clinical symptoms,improve depression and anxiety,and create a positive clinical application value in promoting the rehabilitation of patients and improving their quality of life.

Introduction of Western Medicines into China and Improvement on Decoctions during Modern China

During the late Qing dynasty(1840 A.D.-1912 A.D.),a large quantity of Western medicines entered China,which continuously impacted the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)market and revealed the shortcomings of Chinese medicines.Some personages in the TCM community followed the trend of learning from the West,and attempted to reform TCM,with the improvement on decoction becoming an important aspect of this effort.Through debates and trials,the improvement on decoction underwent three stages of conceptual evolution:“taking Chinese medicines as the foundation and referring to the dosage forms of Western medicines”,“introducing Western techniques to serve the preparation of decoctions”and“integrating the theories of TCM and Western medicine to improve decoctions”.The study highlights the effective complementarity between modern TCM and Western medicine in the field of pharmacy,and provides valuable experience and support for the reevaluation of the value of TCM in contemporary society.

The effects and prospects of the integration of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine on andrology in China

Andrology has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） discussions concerning andropathies, and documentation of relevant therapeutic methods abound in the ancient literature on TCM. Integrated treatment combining TCM and Western medicine has seen both broad and in-depth development, with formidable status in the field of modern andrology in China. This article attempts to demonstrate the unique advantage of integrated treatment in the therapy of andropathies through a review of the ancient literature on andrology in the field of TCM and on the integrative treatment of prostatic diseases, sexual dysfunction, male infertility and late-onset hypogonadism. There is a need for the advancement of a medical theory that integrates TCM and Western medicine practices to create a new therapeutic system with standardized therapeutic and evaluative protocols for diseases involving male sexual health.

The Influence of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Treatment on the Quality of Life and Laboratory Indicators of Patients with Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia

Objective: To investigate the influence of integrated Chinese and Western medicine treatment on the quality of life and laboratory indicators of patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19). Methods: A prospective, self-controlled study was conducted to analyze the changes in corresponding laboratory indicators and quality of life in 75 confirmed COVID-19 patients treated with integrated Chinese and Western medicine in our hospital during the early stage, middle stage, recovery period, and two weeks after discharge. The effectiveness and safety of the treatment regimen were evaluated in conjunction with the time for 2019-nCoV nucleic acid conversion, disease progression, and adverse reactions. Results: The PLT levels in the initial stage were significantly lower than those in the recovery period in 75 patients. The CRP levels in the initial stage were significantly lower than those after discharge for 2 weeks. The TBIL, IBTL, and DHIL levels in the initial stage were significantly lower than those in the middle stage. The K+ levels in the initial stage were significantly lower than those in the recovery period and after discharge for 2 weeks. The LYMGH levels in the initial stage were significantly lower than those in the recovery period and after discharge for 2 weeks. The TP and ALB levels in the initial stage were higher than those in the middle stage and the recovery period. The LDH levels, scores of daily activity limitation, scores of respiratory distress symptoms, scores of psychological emotions, CT imaging scores, and positive rate of nucleic acid were significantly lower than those in the recovery period and after discharge for 2 weeks. The AG, CK, CK-MB, and α-HBDH levels in the initial stage were significantly higher than those in the recovery period. However, the AMY level in the initial stage was significantly lower than that in the recovery period and after discharge for 2 weeks (p Conclusion: Integrated Chinese and Western medicine treatment has a significant impact on laboratory indicators such as PLT, LYMGH, CRP, TBIL, IBTL, DHIL, TP, ALB, K+, AG, LDH, CK, CK-MB, α-HBDH, AMY, CT imaging, and 2019-nCoV nucleic acid in COVID-19 patients. It has good clinical efficacy and safety, and can improve the quality of life of patients.

Discussion on reprogramming of tumor energy metabolism and intervention of traditional Chinese medicine based on the theory of“collateral Q i stagnation”

The theory of stagnation of collateral Qi(Chinese medicine refers to the most fundamental and subtle substances thatconstitute the human body and maintain life activities,and also has the meaning of physiological functions)originates from the theory of collateral disease,which refers to the deficiency of Qi in the body’s collaterals,the loss of Qi and blood,and the failure of stagnation of collateral Qi,which leads to the loss of Qi,blood and body fluid,and the formation of pathological products such as deficiency,depression,phlegm,blood stasis in the local area,and ultimately damage the pathological process of collaterals.Based on the in-depth study of the pathogenesis of collateral Qi stagnation and the previous study of meridian channels,we believe that the key pathogenesis of the formation,evolution and spread of malignant tumors is“collateral Qi deficiency stagnation,collateral Qi stagnation and collateral Qi decay”.As an important energy resonance channel of the body,meridians play a key role in the process of material transformation and energy metabolism.It is believed that the small focus caused by the pathogenesis of stagnation is the cause of malignant transformation of tumor,the reprogramming of energy metabolism induced by the lesion of collateral Qi is the basis of the progress of tumor pathogenesis,and the formation of tumor microenvironment regulated by the tumor toxin vena is the root of alienation of tumor development.Guided by this theory,focusing on the correlation between collateral Qi and tumor energy metabolism,using Professor Hua Baojin's treatment method of“Regulating Qi and detoxifying”to prescribe drugs can adjust collateral Qi function,achieve the relative balance of internal environment,and then inhibit the progress of tumor.Based on the above understanding,this study tries to enlighten new diagnosis and treatment ideas under the guidance of“stagnation of collateral Qi”in traditional Chinese medicine,in order to provide some theoretical support for the intervention of traditional Chinese medicine in the process of tumor development.