Pub Date : 2025-08-20DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2025.101232
Ji-Sheng Han , Haiting Jiang
{"title":"A catalyst for traditional medicine: AI as a scientific, standardized, and regulated bridge","authors":"Ji-Sheng Han , Haiting Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101232","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101232","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13644,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Medicine Research","volume":"14 4","pages":"Article 101232"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145044887","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-19DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2025.101230
Herman A. van Wietmarschen , Martine Busch , Miek C. Jong
Background
Athroplastic surgery often results in acute post-operative pain, hindering rehabilitation compliance. To improve pain management and functional recovery, guided and motor imagery (GMI) exercises were introduced in hip and knee arthroplasty.
Methods
A pragmatic prospective mixed-methods implementation evaluation was conducted at the orthopaedic department of Schakelring, the Netherlands. 80 subjects underwent a 4-week rehabilitation program including GMI after knee or hip arthroplasty. Outcomes included self-reported pain, Timed Up & Go test, 10-meter walk test, and medication use compared with a historical control group. A process evaluation was based on 6 meeting reports, a focus group and 8 interviews.
Results
Last measured pain scores were significantly lower in the GMI group compared to control (p = 0,030, Standard Mean Difference (SMD) = 0,87). Pain scores reduced over time in the GMI knee group compared to control (p = 0,015, SMD = 1,15), not in the hip group (p = 0,39, SMD = 0,43). Better Timed Up & Go and 10-meter walk test in GMI knee group versus control at the end of the 4 week rehabilitation period (p = 0,006 and p = 0,027). Thematic analysis of meetings, focus group and interviews resulted in the following critical themes for implementation were: individual adaptation, embedding in the rehabilitation program, motivation and attitudes of staff, perceived support, monitoring of outcome and creating a learning history, perceived effects.
Conclusions
Monitoring and evaluating the implementation process and positive clinical results facilitated the implementation of GMI in the rehabilitation setting in the Netherlands.
{"title":"Guided and motor imagery for pain management and functional recovery after arthroplasty of the hip or knee: A pragmatic prospective mixed-methods study","authors":"Herman A. van Wietmarschen , Martine Busch , Miek C. Jong","doi":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101230","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101230","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Athroplastic surgery often results in acute post-operative pain, hindering rehabilitation compliance. To improve pain management and functional recovery, guided and motor imagery (GMI) exercises were introduced in hip and knee arthroplasty.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A pragmatic prospective mixed-methods implementation evaluation was conducted at the orthopaedic department of Schakelring, the Netherlands. 80 subjects underwent a 4-week rehabilitation program including GMI after knee or hip arthroplasty. Outcomes included self-reported pain, Timed Up & Go test, 10-meter walk test, and medication use compared with a historical control group. A process evaluation was based on 6 meeting reports, a focus group and 8 interviews.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Last measured pain scores were significantly lower in the GMI group compared to control (<em>p</em> = 0,030, Standard Mean Difference (SMD) = 0,87). Pain scores reduced over time in the GMI knee group compared to control (<em>p</em> = 0,015, SMD = 1,15), not in the hip group (<em>p</em> = 0,39, SMD = 0,43). Better Timed Up & Go and 10-meter walk test in GMI knee group versus control at the end of the 4 week rehabilitation period (<em>p</em> = 0,006 and <em>p</em> = 0,027). Thematic analysis of meetings, focus group and interviews resulted in the following critical themes for implementation were: individual adaptation, embedding in the rehabilitation program, motivation and attitudes of staff, perceived support, monitoring of outcome and creating a learning history, perceived effects.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Monitoring and evaluating the implementation process and positive clinical results facilitated the implementation of GMI in the rehabilitation setting in the Netherlands.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13644,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Medicine Research","volume":"15 1","pages":"Article 101230"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144913656","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-19DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2025.101229
Jaerang Park , Inhu Bae , Seaun Ryu , Myungsun Kim , Heejung Bang , Jiyoon Won , Hyangsook Lee
Background
Data sharing can reduce research waste, enable researchers to avoid duplicating efforts, and allow resources to be effectively directed towards addressing new clinical questions. This study aimed to evaluate data sharing practices and identify associated factors in acupuncture meta-analyses.
Methods
A PubMed search identified meta-analyses of any type of acupuncture (April 2022 to December 2023). Journal guidelines were classified by data sharing policies, and their associations with data availability statements (DASs) and data availability, were examined using chi-squared tests or generalised estimating equations analyses.
Results
Of 3713 studies, 300 were included. Articles published in journals with data sharing policies were more likely to include DASs compared to those without (75.8 % vs. 21.7 %, p < 0.001). DASs were more frequently present when journals mandated sharing rather than merely recommended it (94.6 % vs. 59.2 %, p < 0.001). While no significant association was found between the presence of DASs or sharing policies and data availability, articles from mandating journals had higher odds of data provision than those from recommending journals (OR 1.58, 95 % CI [1.11, 2.25]). Non-Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) journal articles outperformed those in CAM journals in DAS inclusion (79.1 % vs. 49.3 %, p < 0.001), though data accessibility was comparable (71.6 % vs. 69.3 %, p = 0.826). Impact factor was not significantly associated with any aspects of data sharing practices (all p > 0.05).
Conclusions
Mandatory journal data sharing policies were associated with more frequent inclusion of DASs and provision of raw data, but neither a policy nor a DAS alone ensured reusable datasets. Mandatory policies paired with adequate training and supports may help improve transparency, promote reusability and reproducibility of results, and reduce research waste.
数据共享可以减少研究浪费，使研究人员避免重复工作，并允许资源有效地用于解决新的临床问题。本研究旨在评估数据共享实践，并确定针灸meta分析的相关因素。方法PubMed检索了所有针灸类型的meta分析（2022年4月至2023年12月）。根据数据共享政策对期刊指南进行分类，并使用卡方检验或广义估计方程分析检查其与数据可用性声明（das）和数据可用性的关联。结果在3713项研究中，纳入了300项。与没有数据共享政策的期刊相比，发表在有数据共享政策的期刊上的文章更有可能包含das（75.8%对21.7%,p < 0.001）。当期刊强制共享而不是仅仅推荐共享时，DASs更频繁地出现（94.6% vs. 59.2%, p < 0.001）。虽然没有发现das或共享政策与数据可用性之间存在显著关联，但来自授权期刊的文章比来自推荐期刊的文章有更高的数据提供几率（or 1.58, 95% CI[1.11, 2.25]）。非补充和替代医学（CAM）期刊文章在DAS纳入方面优于CAM期刊（79.1%比49.3%,p < 0.001），尽管数据可及性相当（71.6%比69.3%,p = 0.826）。影响因子与数据共享实践的任何方面均无显著相关（均p >； 0.05）。强制性期刊数据共享政策与更频繁地纳入DAS和提供原始数据有关，但单独的政策或DAS都不能确保数据集的可重用性。强制性政策加上适当的培训和支持可能有助于提高透明度，促进结果的可重用性和可重复性，并减少研究浪费。
{"title":"Data sharing in acupuncture meta-analyses: Associations with journal policies and practical considerations","authors":"Jaerang Park , Inhu Bae , Seaun Ryu , Myungsun Kim , Heejung Bang , Jiyoon Won , Hyangsook Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101229","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101229","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Data sharing can reduce research waste, enable researchers to avoid duplicating efforts, and allow resources to be effectively directed towards addressing new clinical questions. This study aimed to evaluate data sharing practices and identify associated factors in acupuncture meta-analyses.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A PubMed search identified meta-analyses of any type of acupuncture (April 2022 to December 2023). Journal guidelines were classified by data sharing policies, and their associations with data availability statements (DASs) and data availability, were examined using chi-squared tests or generalised estimating equations analyses.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of 3713 studies, 300 were included. Articles published in journals with data sharing policies were more likely to include DASs compared to those without (75.8 % vs. 21.7 %, <em>p</em> < 0.001). DASs were more frequently present when journals mandated sharing rather than merely recommended it (94.6 % vs. 59.2 %, <em>p</em> < 0.001). While no significant association was found between the presence of DASs or sharing policies and data availability, articles from mandating journals had higher odds of data provision than those from recommending journals (OR 1.58, 95 % CI [1.11, 2.25]). Non-Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) journal articles outperformed those in CAM journals in DAS inclusion (79.1 % vs. 49.3 %, <em>p</em> < 0.001), though data accessibility was comparable (71.6 % vs. 69.3 %, <em>p</em> = 0.826). Impact factor was not significantly associated with any aspects of data sharing practices (all <em>p</em> > 0.05).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Mandatory journal data sharing policies were associated with more frequent inclusion of DASs and provision of raw data, but neither a policy nor a DAS alone ensured reusable datasets. Mandatory policies paired with adequate training and supports may help improve transparency, promote reusability and reproducibility of results, and reduce research waste.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13644,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Medicine Research","volume":"15 1","pages":"Article 101229"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144926316","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-18DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2025.101226
Junsuk Kim , Youngseok Kim , Da-Eun Yoon , In-Seon Lee , Younbyoung Chae
Background
The accurate identification of acupoints is an essential task in acupuncture therapy. Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have led to the exploration of automated landmark detection systems, which may provide more accurate and reliable acupoint detection. This study investigated the efficiency of an AI model in predicting the shenmen, lung, and mouth auricular acupoints and compared its performance to placements made by a practitioner of traditional Korean medicine.
Methods
Ear images from 39 individuals were captured from three different angles. The mask region-based convolutional neural network (Mask R-CNN) model was utilized to isolate the ear region, followed by landmark detection using a CNN model trained on resized images to predict three auricular acupoints. Model reliability was enhanced by treating each acupoint as a separate prediction coordinate. Acupoint distribution was also estimated using a kernel density estimation method.
Results
Centroids of auricular acupoints predicted by the CNN model showed deviations of < 3 pixels from traditional placements by the practitioner. Kernel density estimation showed that CNN predictions led to narrower acupoint distributions compared with those placed by the practitioner, suggesting higher consistency in CNN model predictions across different images.
Conclusions
The AI-driven approach showed significant potential in improving both the accuracy and consistency of auricular acupoint identification. These findings support the integration of AI into acupuncture practice as a reliable tool for enhancing clinical accuracy and precision of acupoint location.
{"title":"Identification of auricular acupoints using a convolutional neural network","authors":"Junsuk Kim , Youngseok Kim , Da-Eun Yoon , In-Seon Lee , Younbyoung Chae","doi":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101226","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101226","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The accurate identification of acupoints is an essential task in acupuncture therapy. Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have led to the exploration of automated landmark detection systems, which may provide more accurate and reliable acupoint detection. This study investigated the efficiency of an AI model in predicting the shenmen, lung, and mouth auricular acupoints and compared its performance to placements made by a practitioner of traditional Korean medicine.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Ear images from 39 individuals were captured from three different angles. The mask region-based convolutional neural network (Mask R-CNN) model was utilized to isolate the ear region, followed by landmark detection using a CNN model trained on resized images to predict three auricular acupoints. Model reliability was enhanced by treating each acupoint as a separate prediction coordinate. Acupoint distribution was also estimated using a kernel density estimation method.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Centroids of auricular acupoints predicted by the CNN model showed deviations of < 3 pixels from traditional placements by the practitioner. Kernel density estimation showed that CNN predictions led to narrower acupoint distributions compared with those placed by the practitioner, suggesting higher consistency in CNN model predictions across different images.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The AI-driven approach showed significant potential in improving both the accuracy and consistency of auricular acupoint identification. These findings support the integration of AI into acupuncture practice as a reliable tool for enhancing clinical accuracy and precision of acupoint location.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13644,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Medicine Research","volume":"15 1","pages":"Article 101226"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145004864","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-17DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2025.101228
Yein Heo , Mi-Yeon Kim , Jae Youl Cho
Algae exhibit diverse biological activities, and they are also natural resources with the potential for large-scale production. As a result, research on algae has progressed, and the roles of algae have been revealed. Chlorella vulgaris, one of the species most widely found in East Asian countries such as China, Korea, and Japan, has confirmed diverse functional and pharmacological attributes, leading to extensive consumption of Chlorella vulgaris as a supplement. Seven active compounds extracted from Chlorella vulgaris such as dodecanoic acid and loliolide have been reported to collectively contribute to its overall bioactive and medicinal activities.
{"title":"Chlorella vulgaris, a representative edible algae as integrative and alternative medicine","authors":"Yein Heo , Mi-Yeon Kim , Jae Youl Cho","doi":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101228","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101228","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Algae exhibit diverse biological activities, and they are also natural resources with the potential for large-scale production. As a result, research on algae has progressed, and the roles of algae have been revealed. <em>Chlorella vulgaris</em>, one of the species most widely found in East Asian countries such as China, Korea, and Japan, has confirmed diverse functional and pharmacological attributes, leading to extensive consumption of <em>Chlorella vulgaris</em> as a supplement. Seven active compounds extracted from <em>Chlorella vulgaris</em> such as dodecanoic acid and loliolide have been reported to collectively contribute to its overall bioactive and medicinal activities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13644,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Medicine Research","volume":"15 1","pages":"Article 101228"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145004865","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction is a frequent complication after cesarean section (CS), delaying recovery and causing discomfort. This study assessed the effects of chewing gum (CG) and LI4 acupressure—each compared with routine care—on gastrointestinal recovery after elective CS.
Methods
In this three-arm randomized controlled trial, 105 women undergoing elective CS were randomly allocated to CG plus routine care, acupressure plus routine care, or routine care alone (n = 35 each). Interventions were applied three times daily for two days. Primary outcomes were time to first gas passage and defecation; secondary outcomes included time to mobilization, postoperative abdominal pain (measured at six time points), and nausea/vomiting incidence. Analyses employed Kaplan–Meier survival curves, repeated-measures ANOVA, and chi-square tests.
Results
Both CG and acupressure groups showed significantly faster recovery than routine care, with shorter times to first gas passage, defecation, and mobilization (all p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed between CG and acupressure for these measures. A significant time × group interaction for pain (p = 0.025) indicated greater and more sustained relief in the acupressure group (all p < 0.05 vs. other groups). Nausea and vomiting rates were lower in intervention groups, though differences were not statistically significant.
Conclusions
Chewing gum and LI4 acupressure each significantly enhanced postoperative gastrointestinal recovery after CS compared with routine care, while acupressure provided superior pain control. These simple, non-pharmacological methods may improve maternal recovery and comfort.
Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials,
{"title":"Effects of chewing gum and LI4 acupressure on gastrointestinal recovery after cesarean section: A randomized controlled trial","authors":"Hossein Bagheri , Seyedeh Solmaz Talebi , Bahar Shahri , Mobin Mottahedi","doi":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101227","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101227","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction is a frequent complication after cesarean section (CS), delaying recovery and causing discomfort. This study assessed the effects of chewing gum (CG) and LI4 acupressure—each compared with routine care—on gastrointestinal recovery after elective CS.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In this three-arm randomized controlled trial, 105 women undergoing elective CS were randomly allocated to CG plus routine care, acupressure plus routine care, or routine care alone (n = 35 each). Interventions were applied three times daily for two days. Primary outcomes were time to first gas passage and defecation; secondary outcomes included time to mobilization, postoperative abdominal pain (measured at six time points), and nausea/vomiting incidence. Analyses employed Kaplan–Meier survival curves, repeated-measures ANOVA, and chi-square tests.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Both CG and acupressure groups showed significantly faster recovery than routine care, with shorter times to first gas passage, defecation, and mobilization (all p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed between CG and acupressure for these measures. A significant time × group interaction for pain (p = 0.025) indicated greater and more sustained relief in the acupressure group (all p < 0.05 vs. other groups). Nausea and vomiting rates were lower in intervention groups, though differences were not statistically significant.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Chewing gum and LI4 acupressure each significantly enhanced postoperative gastrointestinal recovery after CS compared with routine care, while acupressure provided superior pain control. These simple, non-pharmacological methods may improve maternal recovery and comfort.</div><div><strong><em>Trial registration</em>:</strong> Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials,</div><div>IRCT20200206046395N3 (<span><span>https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/</span><svg><path></path></svg></span>).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13644,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Medicine Research","volume":"15 1","pages":"Article 101227"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144921992","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-12DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2025.101225
Zining Guo , Liying Wang , Yuting Wang , Wenhao Liu , Yi Zhao , Xiaorong Tang , Run Lin , Zhennan Wu , Shaoyang Cui , Nenggui Xu
Background
Acupuncture shows promise in treating cancer-related insomnia (CRI); however, the evidence level for its effectiveness remains low. This study systematically examined research quality and used evidence mapping (EM) to map and present evidence information to identify gaps and inform future research.
Methods
Two reviewers searched eight databases from inception to May 2024, screened eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and extracted key characteristics from included studies. The quality of studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 (RoB 2.0) tool, and key characteristics visualized EM. Finally, Acupoint data were systematically summarized.
Results
37 RCTs were included in this study. RoB 2.0 results showed only three studies at "low risk," while most had notable quality issues. EM indicated that common comparisons involved manual acupuncture (MA), alone or combined, versus sleep medications. Measures involved six assessment tools, with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) most frequently used. Meanwhile, EM revealed considerable uncertainty regarding acupuncture for CRI efficacy. Acupoint analysis identified Yintang (GV24+), Shenting (GV24), Baihui (GV20), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Neiguan (PC6), and Shenmen (HT7) as core acupoints. Analysis identified five key gaps: study reliability, participant selection, placebo effect, outcome measurement, and acupoint selection.
Conclusions
Research on acupuncture for CRI has various gaps, and more high-quality evidence is still needed. This study comprehensively mapped the current evidence on acupuncture for CRI and identified five key gaps, providing directions and references for future research.
{"title":"Acupuncture for cancer-related insomnia: An evidence mapping","authors":"Zining Guo , Liying Wang , Yuting Wang , Wenhao Liu , Yi Zhao , Xiaorong Tang , Run Lin , Zhennan Wu , Shaoyang Cui , Nenggui Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101225","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101225","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Acupuncture shows promise in treating cancer-related insomnia (CRI); however, the evidence level for its effectiveness remains low. This study systematically examined research quality and used evidence mapping (EM) to map and present evidence information to identify gaps and inform future research.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Two reviewers searched eight databases from inception to May 2024, screened eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and extracted key characteristics from included studies. The quality of studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 (RoB 2.0) tool, and key characteristics visualized EM. Finally, Acupoint data were systematically summarized.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>37 RCTs were included in this study. RoB 2.0 results showed only three studies at \"low risk,\" while most had notable quality issues. EM indicated that common comparisons involved manual acupuncture (MA), alone or combined, versus sleep medications. Measures involved six assessment tools, with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) most frequently used. Meanwhile, EM revealed considerable uncertainty regarding acupuncture for CRI efficacy. Acupoint analysis identified Yintang (GV24+), Shenting (GV24), Baihui (GV20), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Neiguan (PC6), and Shenmen (HT7) as core acupoints. Analysis identified five key gaps: study reliability, participant selection, placebo effect, outcome measurement, and acupoint selection.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Research on acupuncture for CRI has various gaps, and more high-quality evidence is still needed. This study comprehensively mapped the current evidence on acupuncture for CRI and identified five key gaps, providing directions and references for future research.</div></div><div><h3>Protocol registration</h3><div>INPLASY, INPLASY202460052.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13644,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Medicine Research","volume":"14 4","pages":"Article 101225"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144886926","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-11DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2025.101224
Chan-Young Kwon , Kyoung-Eun Lee , Min-Jae Kim , Ji-Won Kim , Ji-Won Oh , Hye-Li Jeon , Boram Lee , Pyung-Wha Kim , Yujin Choi
Background
Depression is a common comorbidity of schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSDs) that affects functional outcomes and quality of life. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of herbal medicine as an adjunct therapy to antipsychotics in patients with SSDs and comorbid depression.
Methods
Eight databases were searched from inception to January 2025 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating herbal medicine combined with antipsychotics vs antipsychotics alone in patients with SSDs and comorbid depression. The primary outcome measure was a depression-specific assessment instrument. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool, and evidence certainty was assessed using GRADE.
Results
Overall, of 12 RCTs, 884 participants were included. Compared to antipsychotics, combination therapy significantly improved depressive symptoms (standardized mean difference [SMD] –0.91, 95 % confidence interval (CI) –1.05 to -0.76, p<0.00001, N=10, n=768, moderate certainty), enhanced efficacy for schizophrenia symptoms (SMD –0.60, 95 % CI –0.89 to -0.31, p=0.0014, N=9, n=666, moderate certainty), and showed higher response rates (relative risk [RR] 1.26, 95 % CI 1.04 to 1.52, p=0.0277, N=5, n=372, low certainty). Adverse event rates showed no significant difference between groups (RR 1.18, 95 % CI 0.69 to 2.01, p=0.1609, N=2, n=136, low certainty).
Conclusions
This review provides evidence that herbal medicine, as an adjunct to antipsychotics, may improve both depressive and psychotic symptoms in patients with SSDs and comorbid depression. Although promising, methodological limitations and the exclusive Chinese origin of the studies indicate the need for more rigorous and diverse trials to establish definitive clinical recommendations.
{"title":"Effectiveness of herbal medicine as an add-on to antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders accompanied by depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Chan-Young Kwon , Kyoung-Eun Lee , Min-Jae Kim , Ji-Won Kim , Ji-Won Oh , Hye-Li Jeon , Boram Lee , Pyung-Wha Kim , Yujin Choi","doi":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101224","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101224","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Depression is a common comorbidity of schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSDs) that affects functional outcomes and quality of life. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of herbal medicine as an adjunct therapy to antipsychotics in patients with SSDs and comorbid depression.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Eight databases were searched from inception to January 2025 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating herbal medicine combined with antipsychotics vs antipsychotics alone in patients with SSDs and comorbid depression. The primary outcome measure was a depression-specific assessment instrument. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool, and evidence certainty was assessed using GRADE.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Overall, of 12 RCTs, 884 participants were included. Compared to antipsychotics, combination therapy significantly improved depressive symptoms (standardized mean difference [SMD] –0.91, 95 % confidence interval (CI) –1.05 to -0.76, p<0.00001, N=10, n=768, moderate certainty), enhanced efficacy for schizophrenia symptoms (SMD –0.60, 95 % CI –0.89 to -0.31, p=0.0014, N=9, n=666, moderate certainty), and showed higher response rates (relative risk [RR] 1.26, 95 % CI 1.04 to 1.52, p=0.0277, N=5, n=372, low certainty). Adverse event rates showed no significant difference between groups (RR 1.18, 95 % CI 0.69 to 2.01, p=0.1609, N=2, n=136, low certainty).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This review provides evidence that herbal medicine, as an adjunct to antipsychotics, may improve both depressive and psychotic symptoms in patients with SSDs and comorbid depression. Although promising, methodological limitations and the exclusive Chinese origin of the studies indicate the need for more rigorous and diverse trials to establish definitive clinical recommendations.</div></div><div><h3>Protocol registration</h3><div>PROSPERO, CRD42025643148.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13644,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Medicine Research","volume":"15 1","pages":"Article 101224"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144903994","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-10DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2025.101223
Chen Shen , Xue-Feng Wang , Xiao-Ti Wu , Xin-Xin Liu , Nicola Robinson , Jian-Ping Liu
Background
Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) lacks optimal treatments. This systematic review assessed Asparagus officinalis, a natural product with anti-inflammatory/antioxidant properties, for managing this chronic pain disorder.
Methods
PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, and four Chinese databases were searched until February, 2025 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving adults with BMS. Asparagus officinalis products alone or in combination with conventional medications were included. Outcomes included pain, symptoms, psychological outcomes and salivary function. The GRADE approach was used to assess evidence certainty.
Results
Six RCTs with 336 participants were included. Compared to vitamin B complex alone, Asparagus officinalis capsules alone significantly improved the pain-intensity-based effective rate (RR 6.00, 95 % CI [1.61, 22.34]). Compared to conventional medicines, Asparagus officinalis capsules with conventional medicines significantly increased subjective pain scores (MD 1.51, 95 % CI [1.19, 1.83]), symptom-based effective rate (RR 1.27, 95 % CI [1.14, 1.42]), daily water intake score (MD 1.32, 95 % CI [1.00, 1.64]), sleep duration score (MD 1.88, 95 % CI [1.61, 2.15]), and decreased anxiety and depression scores, while Asparagus officinalis oral liquid combined with mecobalamin significantly reduced 10-point VAS (MD -1.40, 95 % CI [-2.19, -0.61]) and increased the unstimulated salivary flow rate (USFR).The certainty of evidence was all graded as low.
Conclusions
Asparagus officinalis products may improve pain intensity, symptoms, psychological outcomes, and salivary function in patients with BMS. However, the low certainty of evidence due to study limitations and small sample sizes suggests the need for well-designed, large-scale real-world studies to confirm these findings and establish their clinical applicability.
{"title":"Effects of Asparagus officinalis for burning mouth syndrome: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials","authors":"Chen Shen , Xue-Feng Wang , Xiao-Ti Wu , Xin-Xin Liu , Nicola Robinson , Jian-Ping Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101223","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101223","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) lacks optimal treatments. This systematic review assessed <em>Asparagus officinalis</em>, a natural product with anti-inflammatory/antioxidant properties, for managing this chronic pain disorder.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, and four Chinese databases were searched until February, 2025 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving adults with BMS. <em>Asparagus officinalis</em> products alone or in combination with conventional medications were included. Outcomes included pain, symptoms, psychological outcomes and salivary function. The GRADE approach was used to assess evidence certainty.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Six RCTs with 336 participants were included. Compared to vitamin B complex alone, <em>Asparagus officinalis</em> capsules alone significantly improved the pain-intensity-based effective rate (RR 6.00, 95 % CI [1.61, 22.34]). Compared to conventional medicines, <em>Asparagus officinalis</em> capsules with conventional medicines significantly increased subjective pain scores (MD 1.51, 95 % CI [1.19, 1.83]), symptom-based effective rate (RR 1.27, 95 % CI [1.14, 1.42]), daily water intake score (MD 1.32, 95 % CI [1.00, 1.64]), sleep duration score (MD 1.88, 95 % CI [1.61, 2.15]), and decreased anxiety and depression scores, while <em>Asparagus officinalis</em> oral liquid combined with mecobalamin significantly reduced 10-point VAS (MD -1.40, 95 % CI [-2.19, -0.61]) and increased the unstimulated salivary flow rate (USFR).The certainty of evidence was all graded as low.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div><em>Asparagus officinalis</em> products may improve pain intensity, symptoms, psychological outcomes, and salivary function in patients with BMS. However, the low certainty of evidence due to study limitations and small sample sizes suggests the need for well-designed, large-scale real-world studies to confirm these findings and establish their clinical applicability.</div></div><div><h3>Protocol registration</h3><div>PROSPERO (CRD420250651920).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13644,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Medicine Research","volume":"15 1","pages":"Article 101223"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144926315","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-09DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2025.101222
Jeremy Y. Ng
Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) chatbots powered by large language models (LLMs) are increasingly used in health research to support a range of academic and clinical activities. While increasingly adopted in biomedical research, their application in traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) remains underexplored. TCIM presents unique challenges, including complex interventions, culturally embedded practices, and variable terminology. This article provides a practical, evidence-informed guide to help TCIM researchers engage responsibly with GenAI chatbots through prompt engineering, the design of clear, structured, and purposeful prompts to improve output relevance and accuracy. The guide outlines strategies to tailor GenAI chatbot interactions to the methodological and epistemological diversity of TCIM. It presents use cases across the research process, including research question development, study design, literature searches, selection of reporting guidelines and appraisal tools, quantitative and qualitative analysis, writing and dissemination, and implementation planning. For each stage, the guide offers examples and best practices while emphasizing that AI-generated content should always serve as a starting point, not a final product, and must be reviewed and verified using credible sources. Potential risks such as hallucinated outputs, embedded bias, and ethical challenges are discussed, particularly in culturally sensitive contexts. Transparency in GenAI chatbot use and researcher accountability are emphasized as essential principles. While GenAI chatbots can expand access to research support and foster innovation in TCIM, they cannot substitute for critical thinking, methodological rigour, or domain-specific expertise. Used responsibly, GenAI chatbots can augment human judgment and contribute meaningfully to the evolution of TCIM scholarship.
{"title":"Prompt engineering for generative artificial intelligence chatbots in health research: A practical guide for traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine researchers","authors":"Jeremy Y. Ng","doi":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101222","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101222","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) chatbots powered by large language models (LLMs) are increasingly used in health research to support a range of academic and clinical activities. While increasingly adopted in biomedical research, their application in traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) remains underexplored. TCIM presents unique challenges, including complex interventions, culturally embedded practices, and variable terminology. This article provides a practical, evidence-informed guide to help TCIM researchers engage responsibly with GenAI chatbots through prompt engineering, the design of clear, structured, and purposeful prompts to improve output relevance and accuracy. The guide outlines strategies to tailor GenAI chatbot interactions to the methodological and epistemological diversity of TCIM. It presents use cases across the research process, including research question development, study design, literature searches, selection of reporting guidelines and appraisal tools, quantitative and qualitative analysis, writing and dissemination, and implementation planning. For each stage, the guide offers examples and best practices while emphasizing that AI-generated content should always serve as a starting point, not a final product, and must be reviewed and verified using credible sources. Potential risks such as hallucinated outputs, embedded bias, and ethical challenges are discussed, particularly in culturally sensitive contexts. Transparency in GenAI chatbot use and researcher accountability are emphasized as essential principles. While GenAI chatbots can expand access to research support and foster innovation in TCIM, they cannot substitute for critical thinking, methodological rigour, or domain-specific expertise. Used responsibly, GenAI chatbots can augment human judgment and contribute meaningfully to the evolution of TCIM scholarship.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13644,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Medicine Research","volume":"14 4","pages":"Article 101222"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144866466","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号