Designing clinical studies that take into account traditional East Asian medicine's systems and methods - with focus on pattern identification.

Abstract

This article is based on two presentations held at Chinese medicine conference in Rothenburg (2013), Germany and at the 19th Anniversary of Korean Institute of Oriental Medicine (KIOM) International Symposium of Current Research Trends in Traditional Medicine - Pattern of Identification (2013). In designing clinical studies, it is a research question that leads to appropriate study design. However, they are mostly diagnostic procedures and techniques that are the key points to reflect the application of systems and methods in all forms of medicine - traditional East Asian medicine (TEAM) is no exception. The challenges within TEAM based on research reflect in different systems of medicine/theories such as traditional Japanese acupuncture, traditional Korean acupuncture and traditional Chinese acupuncture. This diversity of medical systems and methods applied in East Asia seems to have been fruitful within the different countries and traditional medicines have found their places within the respective countries health systems. The existing diversity, from a clinician's point of view, may be viewed as a treasure when dealing with patients in the 'real world'. On the other hand, this diversity seems to challenge the scientific mind worldwide, especially when it comes to research. Hence, there is a gap between clinical practice and research.