Can Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis Be Parameterized and Standardized? A Narrative Review.

Luís Carlos Matos,Jorge Pereira Machado,Henry Johannes Greten,Fernando Jorge Monteiro

doi:10.3390/healthcare9020177

Abstract

The integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in Western health systems and research requires a rational communicable theory, scientific proof of efficacy and safety, and quality control measures. The existence of clear definitions and the diagnosis standardization are critical factors to establish the patient’s vegetative functional status accurately and, therefore, systematically apply TCM therapeutics such as the stimulation of reflex skin areas known as acupoints. This science-based conceptualization entails using validated methods, or even developing new systems able to parameterize the diagnosis and assess TCM related effects by objective measurements. Traditionally, tongue and pulse diagnosis and the functional evaluation of action points by pressure sensitivity and physical examination may be regarded as essential diagnostic tools. Parameterizing these techniques is a future key point in the objectification of TCM diagnosis, such as by electronic digital image analysis, mechanical pulse diagnostic systems, or the systematic evaluation of acupoints’ electrophysiology. This review aims to demonstrate and critically analyze some achievements and limitations in the clinical application of device-assisted TCM diagnosis systems to evaluate functional physiological patterns. Despite some limitations, tongue, pulse, and electrophysiological diagnosis devices have been reported as a useful tool while establishing a person’s functional status.

Highlights

Traditional Chinese medicine is an ancient medical system that gives emphasis to human body integrity and regulation and its interrelationship with the surrounding environment [1,2]
Contemporary Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) could be understood as a model of vegetative system biology centered on the theory of regulation and the so-called guiding criteria as categories of clinical signs based on four physiological models of body regulation
TCM diagnosis is a way of establishing the body’s vegetative functional status. This integrated neurovegetative approach, complementary and interactive with Western medicine, translates to Western physiology the structural concepts of TCM language, making possible, the inherent rational use of reflex therapeutic systems, antiinflammatory mechanisms, and mental training, which are applied in techniques such as acupuncture and “Qigong” [20,21]. This methodology requires a science-based conceptualization and a standardization effort that goes from diagnosis to therapeutics [19]

Summary

Introduction

Traditional Chinese medicine is an ancient medical system that gives emphasis to human body integrity and regulation and its interrelationship with the surrounding environment [1,2]. TCM diagnosis is a way of establishing the body’s vegetative functional status This integrated neurovegetative approach, complementary and interactive with Western medicine, translates to Western physiology the structural concepts of TCM language, making possible, the inherent rational use of reflex therapeutic systems, antiinflammatory mechanisms, and mental training, which are applied in techniques such as acupuncture and “Qigong” [20,21]. To establish a general picture of the patient condition involving subtle and physical factors related to inner nature [32], pathological agent, and physiological status, Chinese medicine diagnosis considers four main essential examinations: looking, listening-smelling, palpating, and questioning [33] During this process, Healthcare 2021, 9, x.

Tongue Diagnosis

Electrophysiological

Conclusions

Methods