Comprehensive effects of traditional Chinese medicine treatment on heart failure and changes in B-type natriuretic peptide levels: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Heart failure(HF),a common cardiovascular condition,is characterized by significant morbidity and mortality.While traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is often used as a complementary approach in HF management,systematic evalua-tions of its impact on clinical outcomes,TCM syndrome scores,and B-type natriuretic peptide(BNP)levels are lacking.This study fills this gap through a comprehensive analysis of randomized controlled trials(RCTs)focusing on TCM for HF treatment.It encompasses an assessment of methodological quality,a meta-analysis,and an evaluation of evidence quality based on established standards.The results offer crucial insights into the potential advantages and constraints of TCM in HF management.RCTs on TCM for HF treatment published since the establishment of the database were searched in four Chinese and English databases,including China National Knowledge Infrastructure,Wanfang,VIP Information Chinese Science and Technology Journal,and PubMed.Methodological quality was assessed for the included studies with the Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tool,and the meta-analysis and publication bias assessment was performed with the RevMan5.3 software.Finally,the quality of evidence was rated according to the GRADE criteria.RESULTS A total of 1098 RCTs were initially retrieved.After screening,16 RCTs were finally included in our study,which were published between 2020 and 2023.These RCTs involved 1660 HF patients,including 832 in the TCM group[TCM combined with conventional Western medicine(CMW)treatment]and 828 in the CWM group(CWM treatment).The course of treatments varied from 1 wk to 3 months.TCM syndrome differentiation was analyzed in 11 of the included RCTs.In all included RCTs,outcome indicators included comprehensive clinical outcomes,TCM syndrome scores,and BNP levels.The meta-analysis results showed significant differences between the TCM and CWM groups in terms of comprehensive clinical outcomes[risk ratio=-0.54;95%confidence interval(CI)=-0.61,-0.47;P<0.00001],TCM syndrome scores[weighted mean difference(WMD)=-142.07;95%CI=-147.56,-136.57;P<0.00001],and BNP levels(WMD=-142.07;95%CI=-147.56,-136.57;P<0.00001).According to the GRADE criteria,RCTs where"TCM improves clinical comprehensive outcomes"were rated as low-quality evidence,and RCTs where"TCM reduces TCM syndrome scores"or"TCM decreases BNP levels"were rated as medium-quality evidence.CONCLUSION TCM combined with CWM treatment effectively improves comprehensive clinical outcomes and diminishes TCM syndrome scores and BNP levels in HF patients.Given the low and medium quality of the included RCTs,the application of these results should be cautious.

Comprehensive Rehabilitation Therapy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Combined with Modern Rehabilitation Training Improves the Spasticity and Motor Function of Hemiplegia after Stroke

Objective:To analyze the impact of comprehensive rehabilitation therapy of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)(based on modern rehabilitation training)on the spasticity and motor function in stroke patients with hemiplegia.Methods:Seventy-nine stroke and hemiplegia patients admitted to the hospital from June 2021 to June 2023 were selected and randomly divided into a control group(39 cases)using modern rehabilitation training,and an observation group combined with comprehensive TCM rehabilitation therapy(40 cases),over 1 month.The clinical index data of the two groups were compared.Results:There were differences in the clinical index data between the two groups.The total effective rate after 2 treatment in the observation group(92.50%)was higher than that of the control group(74.36%)(χ^(2)=4.727,P<0.05).All central sensitization inventory(CSI)and stroke quality of life(PRO)scores in both groups were lower after treatment,with the observation group having lower scores as compared to the control group(P<0.05).The scores of FMA(upper limbs,lower limbs),Barthel index scores,and Functional Ambulation Categories(FAC)scores of both groups increased after treatment,with the observation group having higher scores as compared to the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Comprehensive TCM rehabilitation therapy had a significant therapeutic effect on patients with hemiplegia after stroke.It improved the patient’s spasticity,limb movement,and walking function.Their daily living abilities and quality of life were also enhanced.

Exploring the Application Effect of Flipped Classroom Combined with Problem-Based Learning Teaching Method in Clinical Skills Teaching of Standardized Training for Resident Doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Objective: To explore the application effect of flipped classroom combined with problem-based learning teaching method in clinical skills teaching of standardized training for resident doctors of traditional Chinese Medicine. Methods: The study used the experimental control method. The study lasted from September to November 2022. The subjects of this study were 49 students of standardized training for resident doctors of traditional Chinese Medicine from grades 2020, 2021 and 2022 of Dazhou integrated TCM & Western Medicine Hospital. They were randomly divided into experiment group (25) and control group (24). The experiment group adopted flipped classroom combined with problem-based learning teaching method, and the control group adopted traditional teaching method. The teaching content was 4 basic clinical skill projects, including four diagnoses of traditional Chinese Medicine, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, dressing change procedure, acupuncture and massage. The evaluation method was carried out by comparing the students’ performance and a self-designed questionnaire was used to investigate the students’ evaluation of the teaching method. Results: The test scores of total scores in the experimental group (90.12 ± 5.89) were all higher than those in the control group (81.47 ± 7.96) (t = 4.53, P P Conclusions: The teaching process of the flipped classroom combined with problem-based learning teaching method is conducive to improving the efficiency of classroom teaching, cultivating students’ self-learning ability, and enhancing students’ willingness to learn.

Construction of Complex Intervention in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): A Preliminary Methodological Study Based on Text Mining and Interviewing Method

Aim: To explore and analyze the feasibility of establishing a program of complex intervention in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) based on Text Mining and Interviewing method. Methods: According to MRC, Constructing the program of complex intervention in TCM by Text Mining and Interviewing method should include 4 steps: 1) establishment of interview framework via normalization of extraction of ancient documents and Effectiveness of collection of modern periodical literatures;2) materialization of interview outline based on Focus Group Interview;3) rudimentary construction of complex intervention program based on Semi-structured Interview;4) evaluation of curative effect of complex intervention. Conclusions: It is feasible and significative to establish a program of complex intervention in TCM based on Text Mining and Interviewing method.

Traditional Chinese Medicine as a Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis:From Empirical Practice to Evidence-Based Therapy

Rheumatoid arthritis(RA)is a common autoimmune condition with an elusive etiology.Conventional and biological disease-modifying drugs sometimes fail or produce only partial responses.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has long been used in China as a treatment for RA and is achieving everincreasing acceptance worldwide.TCM treatments are traditionally guided by the theory of treatment based on TCM syndrome differentiation;however,they remain a matter of empirical practice relying on TCM theories and doctors’own experience,which places severe restrictions on worldwide TCM application.Nevertheless,TCM is a treasure trove for drug discovery,particularly as a treatment for complicated human conditions.The discoveries of artemisinin as a treatment for malaria and of TCM–arsenic trioxide(As2O3)combination therapy as a treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia(APL)are excellent examples of the great value of TCM.Regarding RA treatments,many Chinese medicinal herbs and their formulas,extracts,ingredients,and even single compounds have been used in clinical applications.Several Chinese proprietary medicines(CPMs)derived from TCM formulas or herbal bioactive components,such as the controlled-release ZhengQingFengTongNing(ZQFTN)Tablets,Tripterygium Glycoside Tablets,and Total Glucosides of Peony(TGP)Capsules,have been included in the National Health Insurance Directory of China,and show comparable therapeutic efficacies to those of western chemical drugs with fewer side effects.As TCM research has advanced,particularly in the use of multidisciplinary technologies,the scientific foundations and characteristics of the use of TCM to treat RA have been revealed,and the quality of TCM treatments have been increasingly enhanced.However,TCM generally lacks sufficient clinical and laboratory data to be consistent with international standards for quality,safety,and efficacy in order to support its application worldwide.Therefore,intensive basic and clinical studies on TCM are required.In particular,investigations that use cutting-edge technologies in analytical chemistry,biology,and biomedical sciences,and the development of randomized clinical trials(RCTs)and personalized pragmatic randomized controlled trials(PPRCTs)are necessary.Researchers should also collaborate to advance TCM from empirical practice to evidence-based therapy,thus consistently promoting TCM development and globalization in a vital,beneficial,and contributable manner.

Combined development of traditional Chinese medicine and interventional medicine

The combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Interventional Radiology has an excellent clinical effect.This paper reviews the principles and methods of the combined application of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Interventional Radiology,aiming to promote the complementary and coordinated development of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Interventional Radiology.

Analysis of the Effects on Self-Efficacy and Quality of Life of Patients Undergoing Coronary Intervention by Traditional Chinese Medicine Nursing Combined with Refined Nursing

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects on self-efficacy and quality of life in patients undergoing coronary intervention, by traditional Chinese medicine nursing combined with refined nursing. METHODS: A total of 124 patients, who needed to undergo coronary intervention in our hospital, were randomly divided into the fine group and the combined group, with 62 patients in each group. The two groups of patients were enrolled in the PCI routine nursing procedure, in which the fine group was given refined nursing, and the joint group, based on that, added the traditional Chinese medicine nursing. The self-management (self-management scale of coronary heart disease), self-efficacy (self-efficacy scale of coronary heart disease), quality of life score (Seattle angina questionaire (SAQ), TCM symptom score] of the two groups were observed before and after treatment. The incidence of postoperative complications after nursing intervention was recorded. RESULTS: After nursing intervention, each score and total scores of the self-administration scale of the combined group were higher than those of the fine group (P < 0.05). After the nursing intervention, each score and the total scores of the self-efficacy scale of the combined group were higher than the fine group (P < 0.05) After the nursing intervention, the SAQ score of the combined group was significantly higher than that of the fine group (P < 0.05). After the nursing intervention, TCM symptom score of the combined group was significantly lower than that of the fine group (P < 0.05). After nursing intervention, the postoperative complication rate of the combined group was 79.03%, which was lower than that of the fine group (59.68%)(P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with coronary intervention, who use traditional Chinese medicine combined with refined nursing, can improve their quality of life, clinical symptoms and postoperative complications by improving their self-management and efficacy, which is conducive to the recovery of patients' follow-up.

Drug Deslgn Based on Chinese Traditional Medicine

There are two new trends in the development of novel Pharmaceuticals. Biotechnology provides a novel approach to rational drug design. At the same time, there has been a growing interest in the use of herbal products. Chinese medical herbs are rich in the natural resources and have been used for thousands years in China. We consider the Chinese medicine system as a natural combinatorial chemi-

Clinical Observation on the Prevention and Treatment of Juvenile Mild Myopia with Traditional Chinese Medicine Comprehensive Therapy

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of traditional Chinese medicine on the prevention and treatment ofjuvenile mild myopia.Methods:One hundred and twenty cases of juvenile mild myopia were randomly divided into six groups,with 20 cases in each group:western medicine group,ultrasonic group,acupuncture group,auricular point group,traditional Chinese oral decoction group,and traditional Chinese medicine comprehensive therapy group.The therapeutic effects of the treatment administered to the six groups were compared.Result:In the post-treatment and follow-up stages,the visual acuity of the traditional Chinese medicine comprehensive therapy group significantly improved along with reduced diopter compared to the other groups(p<0.05).However,the axial length of the six groups had no significant change compared with that before treatment(p>0.05).There were no adverse reactions in any of the patients.Conclusion:In the treatment of juvenile mild myopia,traditional Chinese medicine comprehensive therapy has good therapeutic effect without any adverse reactions;thus,it is worthy of clinical promotion.

Herbal traditional Chinese medicine and its evidence base in gastrointestinal disorders

Herbal traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is used to treat several ailments, but its efficiency is poorly documented and hence debated, as opposed to modern medicine commonly providinge ffective therapies. The aim of this review article is to present a practical reference guide on the role of herbal TCM in managing gastrointestinal disorders, supported by systematic reviews and evidence based trials. A literature search using herbal TCM combined with terms for gastrointestinal disorders in Pub Med and the Cochrane database identified publications of herbal TCM trials. Results were analyzed for study type, inclusion criteria, and outcome parameters. Quality of placebo controlled, randomized, double-blind clinical trials was poor, mostly neglecting stringent evidence based diagnostic and therapeutic criteria. Accordingly, appropriate Cochrane reviews and meta-analyses were limited and failed to support valid, clinically relevant evidence based efficiency of herbal TCM in gastrointestinal diseases, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastric or duodenal ulcer, dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease. In conclusion, the use of herbal TCM to treat various diseases has an interesting philosophical background with a long history, but it received increasing skepticism due to the lack of evidence based efficiency as shown by high quality trials; this has now been summarized for gastrointestinal disorders, with TCM not recommended for most gastrointestinal diseases. Future studies should focus on placebo controlled, randomized, double-blind clinical trials, herbal product quality and standard criteria for diagnosis, treatment, outcome, and assessment of adverse herb reactions. This approach will provide figures of risk/benefit profiles that hopefully are positive for at least some treatment modalities of herbal TCM. Proponents of modern herbal TCM best face these promising challenges of pragmaticmodern medicine by bridging the gap between the two medicinal cultures.

Prevention of violence risk and interventions of Chinese and western medicine nursing on emotion

Accumulation of bad emotion with patients and their relations added violence risk.Workplace violence of nursing is an acute injury to nurse,and long-term threats and challenges to their physical and mental health and professional values. It also has an potential problem on parties negotiate the settlement of medical disputes,as well as boosting reform of national health system.Identifying and managing patients' emotion has positive impact on doubts and resentments elimination,anger escalation avoidance,violence prevention. This study proposed emotional intervention program in terms of traditional Chinese medicine and modern nursing care,which based on introducing the research status on nursing workplace violence. The purpose is to culture the ability of patients' self-identification and emotions regulation,take effective protective measure. The research provides the reference on perfecting the medical security system and related policy research.

Promoting integrative medicine by computerization of traditional Chinese medicine for scientific research and clinical practice: The SuiteTCM Project

BACKGROUND： Chinese and contemporary Western medical practices evolved on different cultures and historical contexts and, therefore, their medical knowledge represents this cultural divergence. Computerization of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） is being used to promote the integrative medicine to manage, process and integrate the knowledge related to TCM anatomy, physiology, semiology, pathophysiology, and therapy. METHODS： We proposed the development of the SuiteTCM software, a collection of integrated computational models mainly derived from epidemiology and statistical sciences for computerization of Chinese medicine scientific research and clinical practice in all levels of prevention. The software includes components for data management （DataTCM）, simulation of cases （SimTCM）, analyses and validation of datasets （SciTCM）, clinical examination and pattern differentiation （DiagTCM, TongueTCM, and PulseTCM）, intervention selection （AcuTCM, HerbsTCM, and DietTCM）, management of medical records （ProntTCM）, epidemiologic investigation of sampled data （ResearchTCM）, and medical education, training, and assessment （StudentTCM）. DISCUSSION： The SuiteTCM project is expected to contribute to the ongoing development of integrative medicine and the applicability of TCM in worldwide scientific research and health care. The SuiteTCM 1.0 runs on Windows XP or later and is freely available for download as an executable application.

Traditional Chinese medicine combined with low-dose glucocorticoid for treating nephrotic syndrome: A case report

Nephrotic syndrome(NS)is a common refractory clinical disease that can develop into end-stage renal disease(ESRD)if cannot be controlled.At present,in Western medicine,glucocorticoid or immunosuppressant drugs with heavy dose and long course are used for the therapy of NS.There are still few reports on the combined treatment of traditional Chinese medicine and low-dose glucocorticoid for NS.Here,we reported a case of a 48-year-old man diagnosed with NS,accompanied by severe pulmonary infection,abundant proteinuria,and pleural effusion.Integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine was used as the therapeutic regimen of this patient.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)mainly focused on invigorating spleen and kidney,promoting blood circulation,removing blood stasis and promoting diuresis,and Chinese patent medicines or TCM immunosuppressants were given to consolidate the treatment.In Western medicine,small dose and short course glucocorticoids combined with symptomatic treatment were adopted.Delightfully,proteinuria subsided after 5 months treatment with integrated TCM and Western medicine and all laboratory reports were negative after 10 months,which has been normal so far(July 2019).This case report indicates that the combination of TCM and low-dose glucocorticoid is effective in curing NS,with low recurrence rate and few side effects.

Research progress in the treatment of diabetic foot with traditional Chinese medicine

Diabetic foot is one of the chronic complications of diabetes,which is serious and expensive to treat.As an effective method for treating diabetic foot,Chinese medicine plays an important role in improving the clinical symptoms and reducing the suffering of diabetic foot patients.The methods of traditional Chinese medicine to treat diabetic foot include internal treatment method,external treatment method and comprehensive therapy.This article reviews the research results of traditional Chinese medicine treatment of diabetic foot in order to provide reference for the treatment of diabetic foot.

A brief overview of traditional Chinese medicine prescription powered by artificial intelligence

Traditional Chinese medicine prescription is one of the treasures of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).There are tens of thousands TCM prescriptions accumulated in the past thousands of years,corresponding to different diseases,symptoms and therapeutic goals.The correspondences are so complicated that there is an urgent need to leverage new technologies such as artificial intelligence(AI)to analyze,understand and utilize them effectively.In this paper,we present a brief overview of this direction,where current research progress on TCM prescription powered by AI is summarized.Our summarization focuses on three aspects,TCM prescription mining that aims at understanding the TCM prescription,TCM prescription or herb knowledge base construction that aims at extracting knowledge to support the TCM prescription-related study,and TCM prescription discovery that aims at utilizing AI technologies to further energize TCM.It is encouraging to see that steady progress in this direction has been made recently.Besides,a toy experiment on image-based TCM herb recognition by using convolutional neural networks is also conducted.It basically verifies that it is promising to use AI technologies to address challenging tasks in TCM.We also point out several research topics that could be cooperatively performed by researchers from the two disciplines.

The combination of disease and Zheng (syndrome) on the basic of differentiation of six channels:a new pattern of disease diagnosis and treatment of traditional Chinese medicine

传统中医形成于2000多年前并且一直发展至今,中医治疗疾病的角度有其特殊性.证是传统中医理论中的重要概念.证是对机体在疾病发展过程中某一阶段的病理概括.辨证论治是中医认识疾病和治疗疾病的基本原则,是中医学对疾病的一种特殊的研究和处理方法.在东汉时期,医圣张仲景在《伤寒杂病论》中提出了用六经辨证的方法去诊断和治疗疾病.他根据病人证的不同把疾病分成了六种疾病即六经病.根据张仲景的分类标准,六经病几乎可以包含所有的疾病.而且,六经病的传变是有规律的.因此,我们提出了一个新的假说:在六经辨证的基础上通过病证结合进行中医诊断及治疗,从而有利于我们更好地把握和理解疾病,使疾病的治疗更加方便、快捷、有效.

Evidence-Based Medicine Research on Prescriptions in Synopsis of the Golden Chamber in the Treatment of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Purpose: Based on the National Natural Science Foundation of China, we collect and sort out the literature published in approximately the last 30 years, which use prescriptions in Synopsis of the Golden Chamber to treat pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This study provides theoretical basis for the treatment of PID;we recommend this achievement to colleagues. Method: Firstly, we searched and collected the literatures from last three decades in CNKI, Wanfang and VIP databases, which are about classical prescriptions treating endometriosis. Then, by screening all the literatures, we obtained the clinical research literatures and individual case reports. Finally, we went through the internal quality of the two categories of literatures to get the dominant prescriptions. Using a retrospective study of evidence-based medicine research, we comprehensively collect literature, standardize the disease spectrum, classify the evidence, and then evaluate the internal quality. Results: We refine 4 prescriptions which commonly are used in the treatment of PID;in other words, they are also the clinical symptoms of PID: Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan symptom, which manifests blood stasis and cold-damp stagnancy;Dang Gui Shao Yao San symptom, which manifests disharmony of liver and spleen, qi-blood stasis and damp obstruction;Da Huang Mu Dan Tang symptom, which manifests the gathering toxic heat and qi-blood stasis;Yi Yi Fu Zi Bai Jiang San symptom, which manifests the internal toxic heat and qi-blood injury. Conclusion: This study is gospel for the patients with recurrent episodes of PID who can’t often use antibiotics. At the same time, it is also a green therapeutics which Chinese ancients dedicated to human medicine.

A comprehensive update:gastrointestinal microflora,gastric cancer and gastric premalignant condition,and intervention by traditional Chinese medicine

With the recent upsurge of studies in the field of microbiology,we have learned more about the complexity of the gastrointestinal microecosystem.More than 30 genera and 1000 species of gastrointestinal microflora have been found.The structure of the normal microflora is relatively stable,and is in an interdependent and restricted dynamic equilibrium with the body.In recent years,studies have shown that there is a potential relationship between gastrointestinal microflora imbalance and gastric cancer(GC)and precancerous lesions.So,restoring the balance of gastrointestinal microflora is of great significance.Moreover,intervention in gastric premalignant condition(GPC),also known as precancerous lesion of gastric cancer(PLGC),has been the focus of current clinical studies.The holistic view of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is consistent with the microecology concept,and oral TCM can play a two-way regulatory role directly with the microflora in the digestive tract,restoring the homeostasis of gastrointestinal microflora to prevent canceration.However,large gaps in knowledge remain to be addressed.This review aims to provide new ideas and a reference for clinical practice.

Multi-centric clinical study of the effect of intervention time on efficacy of gastroparesis external application prescription treatment of gastrointestinal tumor postsurgical gastroparesis

Objective:This intervention has been shown to be clinically efficacious and safe.The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different intervention times on the efficacy of gastroparesis external application prescription versus placebo for the treatment of gastrointestinal tumor postoperative,postsurgical gastroparesis.Methods:A multicenter,randomized,double-blind,placebo controlled phaseⅢclinical trial was designed to demonstrate superiority and conducted at four grade 3A hospitals in Beijing.Patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal tumor postsurgical gastroparesis and local cold syndrome in the abdomen were enrolled and received conventional treatment(nutritional support,gastrointestinal decompression,and prokinetic medication).Treatment and control groups respectively received gastroparesis external application prescription or placebo acupoint application over a treatment course of 14 days or until the primary efficacy endpoint(clinical efficiency)was achieved.Results:A total of 120 patients were enrolled in the treatment and control groups(n Z 60 per group),and 15 patients dropped out of the study because of skin allergies(n Z 7)or poor efficacy(nZ8).The efficacy among patients in Class B of Group A(treatment group)was marginally better than that of Group B(control group)(64.28%vs.55.56%)although the difference between the two groups was not significant.However,the efficacy among patients in Class C of Group A was significantly better than that of Group B(79.49%vs.43.33%).For Group A,the time for patients in the three classes to achieve the efficacy endpoint increased significantly with disease progression(3.00,6.78,and 8.29 days for Class A,B,and C,respectively).Conclusions:Gastroparesis external application prescription can effectively treat gastrointestinal tumor postsurgical gastroparesis and may be more efficacious in progressive disease compared placebo.Patients with gastrointestinal tumor postsurgical gastroparesis should therefore undergo intervention at an earlier stage.