Narrative Medicine Under the Guidance of Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory

This paper is an exploration into the practice of narrative medicine in the clinical setting guided by the theory and approaches of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).By adopting the theory of TCM,the author attempted to provide the patients with systematic treatment from the perspective of society-psychology-biology under the guidance of both the unity of Heaven and Man,and the unity of Xing(Body)and Shen(Mind/Spirit)through his clinical practice.Guided by yin-yang and Wu Xing(Five Elements)theory and focusing on the social relations of the patients for any possible relationships between patients’social,psychological and biological state,the author took the patients’emotion management as a point of departure and helped the patients recover both physically and psychologically by promoting positive transformation in patients’social,psychological,and biological state.A clinical case was provided at the end of this paper to demonstrate how the above theory was put into practice.Narrative medicine under the guidance of TCM theory can supplement modern medical humanity practices as well as extend the scope of modern medical treatment from the perspective of the unity of Heaven and Man,by enriching the content of narrative medicine,and promoting the medical model from biological medical model toward social-psychological-biological model.

Role of traditional Chinese medicine in the initiative practice for health

To achieve awareness of the initiative practice for health concept in the Chinese population,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)doctors should popularize TCM culture and knowledge among young people,people with a low level of education,in low-income populations,and in rural populations.

Concepts of body constitution, health and sub-health from traditional Chinese medicine perspective

This paper described and discussed the important literature and ideas about the concepts, types and measurement of body constitution, in terms of healthy,sub-healthy and disease status. In view of traditional Chinese medicine, ‘‘healthy" state is a status of relative balance of Yin and Yang to keep our bodily homeostasis. If there are significant physical and/or psychological stressors, such as loss of a beloved one and failure in study or work, the body can no longer keep its own bodily condition balanced and subsequently enter a state of ‘‘sub-health"(sub-optimal health).‘‘unhealthy" body constitution such as ‘‘Dampnessheat", ‘‘Cold-dampness" and ‘‘Heat- or Cold- dryness"with a subnormal body temperature and humidity and clinical manifestations such as insomnia, malaise and overweight will be presented. Immediate, appropriate strategies such as modification of life-style and seeking medical treatment can prevent evolution of an illness.Otherwise, the body will enter a disease status with a‘‘pathological" body constitution of ‘‘Yin or Yang deficiency'', ‘‘Blood-stasis" and/or ‘‘Phlegm-dampness". To be complimentary with health promotion and disease prevention in Western medicine, understanding about an individual's body constitution, together with itsdeterminants(e.g., healthy eating and lifestyle behaviors), can contribute to a more proactive, holistic and individualized healthcare.

Nursing emergency management practice of COVID-19 in a traditional Chinese medicine hospital

Nursing work is an integral part of hospital work.Under the challenge of the COVID-19 epidemic,it is particularly important to establish a timely and efficient nursing management system.The nursing department of our hospital used the theory and method of feedforward control to formulate the emergency plan for epidemic prevention and control and to conduct drills.The plan includes the establishment of the emergency management system for epidemic nursing and key prevention and control positions,rational allocation of human resources,and strengthening personnel training,so as to ensure the efficient operation of nursing epidemic prevention and control work and provide a reference for nursing management mode during the epidemic.

Chinese Immigrants’Health Beliefs and Practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine in British Columbia of Canada

Objective:This study is to address the health beliefs and health behavior of Chinese immigrants residing in the Greater Vancouver area of British Columbia(BC)Province in Canada.This article discussed Chinese immigrants’traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)use,health beliefs,and health behaviors.Methods:Information used in this study is based on data collected in the Chinese-speaking community in the Greater Vancouver area of BC in 2020–2022.Quantitative and qualitative methods were applied to this study.The first stage recruited 314 participants for the quantitative study to cross-validate an instrument tool,followed by the 2nd stage of 20 stratified random sampling out of the 314 participants for TCM-related in-depth qualitative interviews.This study focuses on the second stage of TCM qualitative interviews.Results:Results indicated that TCM health beliefs have cultural and spiritual meanings tied to the Chinese-speaking participants.There are barriers for the Chinese-speaking population to access the existing healthcare services due to their TCM health beliefs and other health needs,for example,family doctors,integrated medicine for better health outcomes,and mental health services especially during the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic.Conclusion:Integrating TCM health beliefs and behaviors of Chinese-speaking immigrants into existing Canadian mainstream health services are strongly recommended.

On the maintenance and intervention of health in Hainan Island from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine

The prevention and treatment of diseases in traditional Chinese medicine pay attention to the"due to people due to time and place".With its unique natural resources,climate and ecological environment,as well as its unique lifestyle,Hainan Island residents'health should have strong local characteristics.Through reviewing the literature,this paper finds that:the residents of Hainan Island have more Yin deficiency,qi deficiency and damp-heat deficiency;The pathogeny and disease syndrome of residents in Hainan Island are also different from other regions.Therefore,the maintenance and intervention of residents'health in Hainan Island has unique characteristics.

Traditional Chinese medicine for promoting mental health of patients with COVID-19:a scoping review

Objective:This study aimed to systematically review and depict the current studies of traditional Chinese medicine for the mental health of patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).Methods:A scoping review was conducted by searching PubMed,Web of Science,CNKI,Wanfang database,VIP database,and SinoMed,with the retrieval time being from the establishment of the database to April 18,2022.The basic information of the included studies,objective,design,types of patients,interventions,outcomes,etc.,was reviewed and summarized narratively.Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias assessment tool,the methodological index for nonrandomized studies or the Newcastle-Ottawa scale.Results:We identified 30 traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)studies from six databases.Among them,finished randomized controlled trials(n=16)accounted for most of the studies,followed by single-arm studies(n=9).In terms of study theme,20 studies defined the mental health of patients with COVID-19 as the research theme.Psychological assessment was included in the inclusion criteria(performed before participation)of nine studies,whereas the other studies only mentioned the mental outcomes.TCM interventions included TCM exercises(Yijinjing,Baduanjin,Liuzijue,Taichi),acupoint stimulation(auricular and body points),moxibustion,decoction,or granules based on TCM syndrome differentiation,decoction,or granules with fixed formulae(Baidu Jieduan granules,Xuanfei Baidu decoction,and Qingfei Paidu decoction),Chinese patent medicine(Jinhua Qinggan granules),TCM psychological therapy(TCM ideological therapy,TCM five-tone therapy,and TCM psychological sand table),and TCM nursing(dialectical care,dialectical diet,and psychological counseling).Anxiety and depression were the main outcomes evaluated in regard to mental health in patients with COVID-19.The limitations of methodological quality were predominantly from follow-up,blinding,and registration.Positive results were reported by 27 studies(90%,n=30).Conclusion:We summarized the existing literature about the impact of TCM on mental health in patients with COVID-19.The number of studies evaluating the impact of TCM on mental health is encouraging,but overall methodological quality was low.Several TCM interventions warrant further evaluation,particularly among populations outside of China,for the purpose of establishing supporting evidence.More importantly,research with stronger methodological quality needs to be developed.

Health technology assessment in traditional Chinese medicine in China: current status, opportunities, and challenges

Objectives:The widespread usage of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)and the government's emphasis on TCM in China have created a positive macro-environment and great opportunities to develop and strengthen health technology assessment(HTA)in TCM.Over the past ten years,a series of policies have been issued by the government to promote the application of HTA and the development of TCM in China.This study reviews the concepts and characteristics of TCM,summarizes the current status of HTA in TCM,and analyzes the opportunities and challenges faced by HTA development in TCM with respect to deepening of healthcare reforms.Methods:Literature review and website searches were used to acquire information regarding the basic theories of TCM and the current status,opportunities,and challenges for HTA in TCM.Results:The number of articles on HTA in TCM rose substantially,especially those published in China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI).With the optimistic policy environment and huge market demand for TCM,the development of HTA in TCM is expected to flourish in China.However,HTA in TCM also faces numerous challenges such as the absence of a clinical efficacy evaluation system for TCM and insufficient basic research evidence and qualified personnel.Conclusions:TCM has unique characteristic that distinguishes it from Western medicine.Currently,it is important to take all measures to address the existing main challenges and thereby take advantage of the present opportunities to develop and improve HTA in TCM.

Hospital-based health technology assessment:The next frontier for traditional Chinese medicine hospitals

Hospital-based health technology assessment(HB-HTA)is highly valuable in the application of hospital medical technology,cost control,improvement of medical quality,and protection of medical safety,and its use is increasing daily globally.However,in China,HB-HTA is still in its infancy,and it is yet to be adopted in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).Therefore,this article introduces the application and development of HB-HTA,as well as discusses the current situation of TCM and related future development strategies to provide ideas and references for the development of HB-HTA in TCM.We conclude and recommend that all major stakeholders,including the state,health departments,and hospital leaders,support and promote the exploration and development of HB-HTA in TCM hospitals and integrative medicine hospitals.We also suggest the utilization of existing talents and introduction of other necessary talents to promote better and faster organizational development,as well as suggest the formation of a national and internationally recognized HB-HTA guidance manual and toolkit for TCM hospitals based on both the national HTA guidelines and the evaluation of TCM hospitals pilot projects.Moreover,we recommend that HB-HTA pilot study should be executed with Chinese patent medicine as the starting point to form the implementation process and framework in the TCM arena.

Literature review and analysis of the application of health outcome assessment instruments in Chinese medicine

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the application of health assessment instruments in Chinese medicine. METHODS:According to a pre-defined search strategy,a comprehensive literature search for all articles published in China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases was conducted.The resulting articles that met the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria were used for analysis. RESULTS:A total of 97 instruments for health outcome assessment in Chinese medicine have been used in fundamental and theoretical research,and 14 of these were also used in 29 clinical trials that were randomized controlled trials,or descriptive or cross-sectional studies. In 2 152 Chinese medicine-based studies that used instruments in their methodology,more than 150 questionnaires were identified.Among the identified questionnaires,51 were used in more than 10 articles(0.5%).Most of these instruments were developed in Western countries and few studies(4%) used the instrument as the primary evidence for their conclusions. CONCLUSION:Usage of instruments for health outcome assessment in Chinese medicine is increasing rapidly;however,current limitations include selection rationale,result interpretation and standardization,which must be addressed accordingly.

How Are Minor Mental Health Problems Perceived by Traditional Chinese Medicine?

The purpose of this study was to reach a better understanding of how minor mental health problems (MMP) are perceived in China by professionals practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and by well-educated people living in three urban locations. The results derive from interviews with three TCM doctors, three TCM students and eight other students. Psychological problems are separated into two different categories: “serious” and “not serious”. MMP are labelled not as disorders or illnesses but looked upon as ordinary problems in daily living or as “heart problems”. MMP seem to have less serious consequences according to the Chinese than from a modern Western perspective. “Problems of life” rather than sickness was the category that best summarized perceptions of MMP. TCM professionals’ advice to change lifestyle and most Chinese regulate by themselves less serious mental problems. Both lay people and TCM professionals associate serious problems with pathological mental function in a disease perspective. Some reasons for and consequences of these comprehensions are discussed.

Effect of a traditional Chinese medicine theory-based mobile app on improving symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus:A randomized controlled trial

Objective:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)theory-based mobile app on improving symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)in China.Materials and Methods:A randomized controlled trial was conducted.Ninety-seven patients with T2DM were enrolled and they were randomized into the control group and the experimental group.The control group was given usual diabetes education and follow-up with telephone call,while the experimental group was followed up by using the TCM theory-based mobile app.After 6-month intervention,the diabetic symptom scores,the blood glucose levels,and self-management ability of the two groups were compared.Results:Compared with intervention before,the levels of fasting blood glucose(FBG),2-h postprandial blood glucose(2hPG),and glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c)decreased in the control group(9.28±3.05 vs.8.26±2.73 mmol/L,12.65±4.18 vs.10.65±3.79 mmol/L,and 8.78%±1.76%vs.7.96%±1.47%,respectively,all P<0.05)and also decreased in the experimental group(8.36±2.64 vs.7.35±2.45 mmol/L,11.50±4.29 vs.9.85±2.71 mmol/L,and 8.64%±2.04%vs.7.29%±1.56%,respectively,all P<0.05)after 6-month intervention,while the summary of diabetes self-care activities(SDSCAs)scale scores after 6-month intervention increased significantly in the control group(35.20±14.68 vs.44.78±10.21,P<0.05)and the experimental group(32.16±13.21 vs.50.37±10.06,P<0.05).After 6-month intervention,the diabetic symptom scores(18.16±2.74 vs.22.18±4.77)and HbA1c(7.29±1.56%vs.7.96%±1.47%)were lower,and SDSCA scale scores(50.37±10.06 vs.44.78±10.21)were higher in the experimental group than the control group(all P<0.05).Conclusion:The mobile app based on TCM theory can effectively improve diabetes-related symptoms in patients with T2DM and help control their blood glucose as well as enhance their self-management ability.

Promoting the Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the New Century

Reviewing the past, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the 20th century experienced vicissitude. Since the founding the People's Republic of China, especially for the past twenty years, traditional Chinese medicine undertaking, full of vigor and vitality, has made an unprecedented development in China. The legal status and scientific status of traditional Chinese medicine and pharmacology have already been established. The medical system of traditional Chinese medicine, which is composed of traditional Chinese medicine hospitals, ethnic minority medicine hospitals, integration of traditional and western medicine hospitals and comprehensive hospitals, is playing an important role in preventing, treating diseases and enhancing people's health level. The system of production and circulation for traditional Chinese medicine has basically guaranteed the people's demand for Chinese medicine, with the principles of producing medicinal materials as basis, taking Chinese medicine industry as pillar and Chinese medicine as link. Remarkable achievements have been scored in the research of TCM development as well as research of TCM basic theory and clinical treatment. A number of scientific and technological results have been transformed into productive forces. TCM education has formed a rational pattern based on inheriting traditional way of transmission from master to disciple as well as taking the university and college education as the main part. Minority medical science has been further explored and sorted out; the level of medical treatment, teaching and scientific research for ethnic minority medicines has been improved. As the contingent of integrated traditional and western medicine is growing steadily, medical treatment system, scientific research system and teaching system for integrated traditional and western medicine takes shape progressively. International exchange and cooperation on traditional Chinese medicine has been greatly promoted. Various forms of cooperative relations on the TCM medical treatment, teaching and scientific research have been established between China and many other countries and regions in the world. With the increasing influence of TCM in the world, the accomplishment of traditional Chinese medicine in the 20th century has attracted world attention.

Clinical Research on the Treatment of Simple Obesity by Oral Chinese Medicine Combined with Health Education to Improve Phlegm Dampness Constitution

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of oral traditional Chinese medicine granules combined with health education to regulate phlegm constitution and treat simple obesity. METHODS: According to the method of constitution evaluation in TCM Constitution Classification and Evaluation(Chinese Association of Chinese Medicine), the TCM classification of Chinese medicine was performed on patients who came to the outpatient department of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Pinggu District of Beijing and met the diagnostic criteria of simple obesity. One hundred patients with phlegm constitution were selected and those in accordance with the standards, were randomly divided into group with oral TCM granules combined with health education(refer to as treatment group) and health education group(refer to as control group) according to 1:1 ratio. The control group was given health education including diet and exercise instruction. Treatment group:(1) Health education includes diet and exercise instruction.(2) Oral Chinese medicine granules: ingredients: atractylodes rhizome 15g, raw barley 30g, Folium Nelumbinis 10g, Chinese hawthorn fruit 10g, Chinese waxgourd peel 15g, milk-vetch root;15g, kudzuvine root 15g, danshen root10g, 2 times/d. The two groups were intervened for 12 weeks each time, and obesity evaluation indicators such as body weight, body fat, waist circumference, hip circumference, weight index, and score table of TCM constitutional were observed before and after the intervention. Statistical software was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The total curative effect of the treatment group was better than that of the control group(P<0.001). The weight index, body weight, waist and hip circumference decreased significantly after treatment(P <0.01). Compared with the two groups, the treatment group is better than the control group in terms of dampness constitution improvement, weight and fat losing and waist and hip circumference reducing.(P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Oral Chinese medicine granules Jiangzhuo Fang(combined with health education) and simple health education can improve phlegm constitution, and improve the body weight, body fat percentage and other indicators of the patients, but oral granules combined with health education to improve the physical fitness of phlegm is better than simple health education. The thoughts and methods of Chinese medicine granules combined with health education to regulate phlegm constitution is effective for weight losing and is worthy of further research and promotion.

Research on the Dissemination and Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine Dietotherapy Culture

The traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)culture has seen an unprecedented rise in popularity across the world in recent years,as China’s international stature has improved,and its cultural soft power has grown.At the same time,people are becoming more aware of all kinds of respiratory and cerebrovascular diseases,along with other health-concerning factors.Therefore,people are gradually casting their eyes on TCM dietotherapy culture,which has been studied by the Chinese people for thousands of years and has made indelible contributions to the prevention and treatment of diseases and the Chinese nation’s longevity.However,its principle of action,prevention and control efficacy,as well as standards have been questioned;thus,its development prospects are of concern to the people.On this basis,this study explores the development status,transmission channels,and development prospects of TCM dietotherapy culture.

Hypertension knowledge in urban elderly patients:compari-son between adherents to traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine

Objective To compare knowledge about hypertension between elderly Chinese urban patients with preferences for either traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) or Western medicine (WM). Methods Elderly (≥ 65 years old) patients with hypertension who prefer TCM treatment (n=112) or WM (n=126) were questioned about hypertension. Their answers were compared. Results Only 32.6% of participants correctly identified hypertension as a main risk factor of coronary heart disease and stroke, 22.3% of patients answered that the main purpose of hypertension control was preventing cardiovascular disease. Other major reasons for these patients to seek medical treatment for their hypertension included: persuasion by physicians or their family members (21.6%), alleviating symptoms such as headache and dizziness (16.8%), lowering blood pressure without knowing specific reason (12.4%). The predictors for poor knowledge of hypertension were similar irrespective of preference for WM or TCM treatment, and included those with lower levels of education and older age. Television and newspaper (46.8%) were the most frequent sources of hypertension information for both groups. Among those who preferred TCM treatment, "TCM has fewer side effects than WM" and"TCM cures disease while WM only alleviates symptoms" were common beliefs held. Conclusion This study shows that knowledge of hypertension is similar among Chinese urban patients with preferences for either WM or TCM treatment and that misunderstandings about hypertension are common among the elderly patients. In order to control hypertension effectively, public health education is necessary. This should target those with a lower level of education and older age.

Effect of health Qigong on rehabilitation of stroke patients:A systematic review and meta‑analysis

Objective:The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of health Qigong on the rehabilitation of hemiplegic patients after stroke.Methods:The randomized controlled trials on health Qigong intervention in rehabilitation after stroke were searched in eight databases:PubMed,Cochrane Library,Embase,Web of Science,CBM,CNKI,Wanfang Database,and VIP Database from the inception to February 2022,and the data were analyzed using RevMan 5.3 software.Results:A total of 17 studies involving 1146 hemiplegic patients after stroke were included.Meta‑analysis results showed that the motor function and activities of daily living in the intervention group were better than those in the control group at different intervention times(intervention time<3 months and 3 months–24 weeks)(P<0.01).When the intervention time was<3 months,the improvement of balance function in the intervention group was better than that in the control group(P<0.01).However,when the intervention time was 3 months–24 weeks,there was no significant difference in the balance function between the intervention group and the control group(P=0.10).Conclusion:Health Qigong has a positive effect on the improvement of motor function and activities of daily living in hemiplegic patients after stroke,but the improvement of balance function is not sure.Due to the low overall quality of the included literature and the heterogeneity of some research results,more rigorous randomized controlled trials are needed to verify its efficacy.

Preventive online and offline health management intervention in polycystic ovary syndrome

BACKGROUND Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) is characterized by hyperandrogenism, hyperinsulinemia, ovarian polycystic changes, and irregular ovulation, often occurring in women of childbearing age for whom it can be a cause of infertility. Hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis dysregulation is important in the pathogenesis of PCOS and the associated chronic excess of sex hormones can lead to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, and malignancies such as endometrial cancer, and breast cancer. At present, most scholars agree that lifestyle interventions in conjunction with drug treatment can help PCOS patients achieve their goals of successful pregnancy and childbirth.AIM To investigate the clinical effect of an online and offline(O2O) preventive health management model on PCOS with kidney deficiency and phlegm dampness.METHODS A total of 82 patients with PCOS of the kidney deficiency and phlegm dampness type who were admitted to Beijing Luhe Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from April 2019 to June 2020 were randomly divided into two groups. The treatment group was treated with oral Diane-35 for 3 mo and received preventive O2O medical health management for 6 mo(including eating and living, exercise, drug management). The control group was treated with oral Diane-35 for 3 mo and completed outpatient health education. The traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndrome score, acne score, hair score, sex hormone level and clinical effects were compared between the two groups before and after the intervention. RESULTS After treatment, the TCM syndrome score, acne score, and serum luteinizing hormone/follicle stimulating hormone level were significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group(P < 0.05). After 3 mo of treatment, the TCM syndrome curative effect index in the treatment group was 97.30% compared to 54.05% in the control group(P < 0.05), whereas the total treatment effect in the treatment group was 91.89%, compared to 54.05% in the control group(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION An integrated therapeutic approach incorporating medication, TCM methods and social media is more effective than standard treatment for PCOS.

Promoting whole person health:Exploring the role of traditional Chinese medicine in Polish healthcare

Poland has a unique history of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)dating back to the 17th century when Polish missionary Michael(Michal)Boym was a pioneer in the field.In the 20th century,his successor,Professor Zbigniew Garnuszewski,reintroduced acupuncture to medical practice in Poland.However,other methods of TCM and its holistic approach to patient care have not found their place in modern medicine in Poland.At present,the legal status of TCM in Poland remains unregulated,with TCM included in the broad spectrum of complementary and alternative medicine(CAM)practices.Few reports are available on the use of TCM methods among the Polish population.Integrative medicine combines conventional medicine with evidence-based CAM interventions and considers all aspects of a patient's health,including physical,emotional,mental,social,and environmental factors.An integrative healthcare model that incorporates TCM modalities and lifestyle recommendations as well as a whole person approach may provide a more sustainable solution for the constantly underfinanced Polish healthcare system,which faces challenges of multimorbidity in an aging society and limited access to care.The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic,war in Ukraine,and ongoing climate crisis have underscored the need to strengthen the resilience of the Polish healthcare system and search for new solutions.A model of care that blends the best of biomedicine and TCM healing approaches may be a better option for both patients and the healthcare system in Poland.