Integrative Medicine Research最新文献

{"title":"Cochrane reviews of acupuncture are dated, do not account for the specific effects of sham controls and likely underestimate the efficacy of acupuncture therapy","authors":"Arya Nielsen ,&nbsp;L. Susan Wieland","doi":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101195","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101195","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Because Cochrane reviews represent a quality standard for systematic reviews, we sought to clarify to what extent Cochrane reviews of acupuncture characterize the potential and problematic specific effects of sham acupuncture.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We imported records of Cochrane acupuncture reviews into Covidence and independently selected reviews with at least one included study comparing manual acupuncture to sham acupuncture. Dual data extraction for eligible reviews included review author expertise, evaluation of intervention adequacy, use of STRICTA guidelines, characterization of sham methods, and whether specific effects of sham were discussed relative to needle penetration, point selection or use of a sham device.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of the 56 reviews with acupuncture in the title, 16 were ineligible. Of the 40 included reviews, 28 were published in or before 2018. Most reviews had an author with acupuncture trial expertise; however, assessment of intervention adequacy was rarely conducted, STRICTA guidelines were rarely utilized, and reporting of sham acupuncture methods was commonly either missing or lacking rigor. While 20/40 reviews acknowledged the controversy regarding sham as an active and therefore inadequate control, no reviews incorporated this into their conclusions.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Most Cochrane reviews of acupuncture therapy are dated and are also not current relative to the science of acupuncture biomechanism and the impact of ‘active’ sham arms. The handling of sham controls, combined with a lack of evaluation of verum intervention adequacy, contravenes a clear research standard and indicates that the efficacy of acupuncture is likely underestimated in Cochrane reviews.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13644,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Medicine Research","volume":"14 3","pages":"Article 101195"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144517613","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}

{"title":"Bibliometrics and altmetrics in the context of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine","authors":"Jeremy Y. Ng ,&nbsp;Dimity Stephen ,&nbsp;Jianping Liu ,&nbsp;Thomas Ostermann ,&nbsp;Nicola Robinson ,&nbsp;Holger Cramer","doi":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101181","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101181","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This educational article explores the utility of bibliometrics and altmetrics in evaluating traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) research. We introduce the concept of bibliometrics and altmetrics, provide an overview of the opportunities and challenges in using these analytical techniques, and highlight their future potential in TCIM research. Bibliometrics, based on publication and citation information, offer insights into TCIM research activity, output, scholarly influence, field structure, and collaboration practices. Altmetrics, including social media mentions, downloads, and online bookmarks, can capture the broader societal engagement with TCIM research beyond traditional academic circles. We discuss challenges and opportunities in utilizing these metrics effectively, such as addressing biases, incorporating cultural nuances, and exploring emerging trends. Additionally, we issue a call to action for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to collaborate and leverage bibliometric and altmetric data to advance evidence-based healthcare practices to promote integrative approaches to health and wellness. By embracing a multidimensional approach to research evaluation, stakeholders can harness the potential of bibliometrics and altmetrics to improve TCIM research and healthcare delivery worldwide.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13644,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Medicine Research","volume":"14 3","pages":"Article 101181"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144653596","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}

{"title":"Acupuncture treatment preserves soleus muscle mass and improves mitochondrial function in a rat model of disuse atrophy","authors":"Sarah Mockler ,&nbsp;Yun-Ju Fang ,&nbsp;U-Ter Aondo Jia ,&nbsp;Jinho Park ,&nbsp;Joo Hyun Kim ,&nbsp;Yoonjung Park ,&nbsp;Adam J. Chicco ,&nbsp;Masataka Umeda ,&nbsp;Sukho Lee ,&nbsp;Eunhee Chung","doi":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101178","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101178","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Muscle atrophy leads to debilitating loss of physical capacity, particularly when alternative treatments are needed. Acupuncture is proposed as a potential therapy for disuse atrophy, but its effects on muscle biology remain unclear. This study evaluated the effects of acupuncture on soleus muscle mass and mitochondrial function in a rat model of immobilization-induced atrophy.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Female Sprague Dawley rats were assigned to three groups: Control (CON), casting-induced immobilization (CT), and CT with acupuncture (CT-A) (<em>n</em> = 8). Immobilization of the left hindlimb lasted for 14 days, and acupuncture was performed at specific acupoints (stomach-36, gallbladder-34) three times per week for 15 min. Mitochondrial function was assessed in saponin-permeabilized fibers, and signaling molecules regulating muscle mass were analyzed by Western blot.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>CT-A attenuated soleus muscle atrophy compared to CT. Under fatty acid substrate conditions, CT reduced complex I and II-supported oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) compared to CON, while CT-A decreased respiratory leak and enhanced OXPHOS coupling relative to CT. Without fatty acids, CT-A decreased both respiratory leak and complex I and II-supported OXPHOS compared to CON, but differences between CT and CT-A were not significant. AMPKα activity (p-AMPKα/AMPKα) was significantly elevated in the CT group compared to the CON group, but returned to CON levels in the CT-A group. However, there were no changes in proteins associated with muscle atrophy or autophagy markers among the groups.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Acupuncture mitigates immobilization-induced muscle atrophy and preserves mitochondrial function, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic approach for muscle disuse conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13644,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Medicine Research","volume":"14 3","pages":"Article 101178"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144502294","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}

{"title":"Should thread-embedding and auricular acupuncture be combined rather than used individually for non-specific chronic low back pain?: A double-blinded, randomized, sham-controlled trial","authors":"Thuy-Tu Long Pham ,&nbsp;Nam Trung Le ,&nbsp;Tin Trong Nguyen ,&nbsp;Haoran Chu","doi":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101180","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101180","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Non-specific chronic low back pain (NCLBP), the most common type, is a leading cause of global disability. The combined effect of thread-embedding acupuncture (TEA) and auricular acupuncture (AA) remains unclear. This study evaluates whether combining TEA and AA improves NCLBP management compared to either alone.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In this double-blind randomized controlled trial, 168 NCLBP patients were randomized into four groups (<em>n</em> = 42): TEA+AA, TEA+sham AA, AA+sham TEA, or sham both, alongside conventional treatment. The intervention lasted 4 weeks with a 4-week follow-up. The primary outcome was the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI); secondary outcomes included pain score, paracetamol use, quality of life, global improvement, and adverse events (AEs).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In the intention-to-treat analysis, the acupuncture groups showed significantly lower ODI percentage scores compared to the sham group (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.0001). Both the TEA+AA and TEA+sham AA groups outperformed the AA+sham TEA group (mean differences [MD]:9.1 and -7.5, respectively; <em>p</em> &lt; 0.0001) at week 4 and achieved the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) during follow-up. The TEA+AA group showed greater improvement than the TEA+sham AA group at weeks 2 and 6; however, these differences did not reach the MCID. Secondary effectiveness outcomes followed a similar trend. The results were consistent with the per-protocol analysis. AEs were mild and self-limiting.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>TEA and AA are safe and effective adjuncts for managing NCLBP, with TEA showing more sustained benefits. Adding AA into TEA may accelerate response, though clinical relevance remains uncertain. Further multicenter studies with longer follow-up and syndrome-based approaches are warranted.</div></div><div><h3>Trial registration</h3><div>ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06682273).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13644,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Medicine Research","volume":"14 3","pages":"Article 101180"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144549583","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}

{"title":"Evaluating efficacy and safety of auricular acupressure in treating allergic rhinitis: A randomized controlled trial","authors":"Ngoc-Chau Le ,&nbsp;Minh-Man Pham Bui ,&nbsp;Dieu-Thuong Thi Trinh","doi":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101177","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101177","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Allergic rhinitis significantly impacts health and quality of life, and symptom management remains a considerable challenge. This study aims to compare the treatment efficacy of auricular acupressure combined with fluticasone propionate versus fluticasone propionate alone for allergic rhinitis.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial study was conducted with 90 patients diagnosed with allergic rhinitis according to ARIA 2008 guidelines. The control group (<em>n</em> = 45) received standard treatment, including fluticasone propionate, and sham auricular acupressure (SA), performed four times over four weeks. The intervention group (<em>n</em> = 45) received standard treatment with actual auricular acupressure (AA), performed four times over four weeks. Treatment efficacy was evaluated using a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) weekly and after four weeks of treatment, along with monitoring for adverse effects of auricular acupressure.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>After four weeks, the reduction in VAS scores for individual symptoms, including sneezing, runny nose, blocked nose, and itchy nose, showed mean differences between the control and intervention groups of 17.71 (95 % CI, 10.60–24.82); 22.73 (95 % CI, 15.71–29.76); 22.33 (95 % CI, 15.30–29.37); and 21.29 (95 % CI, 14.27–28.31) points, respectively (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.0001). The RQLQ score, medication usage decreased significantly more in the intervention group than in the control group. Adverse effects were reported in 11.11 % of cases, mostly mild, transient, and not requiring additional treatment.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Auricular acupressure combined with fluticasone propionate provides effective and safe treatment for allergic rhinitis patients. Further interventional studies based on the classification of clinical syndromes in traditional medicine are warranted.</div><div><em>Trial registration</em>: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT06323304.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13644,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Medicine Research","volume":"14 3","pages":"Article 101177"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144502293","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}

{"title":"Traditional Chinese medicine therapies for insomnia: An umbrella review and evidence map","authors":"Jinxiang Wang ,&nbsp;Bing Bai ,&nbsp;Ranran Zhu ,&nbsp;Xintong Yu ,&nbsp;Xiaoting Xu ,&nbsp;Xiaomin Tu ,&nbsp;Lei Fang","doi":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101176","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101176","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>An increasing number of systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SR/MAs) suggests traditional Chinese medicine therapies are effective for insomnia. We aimed to synthesize and evaluate the methodological quality of these studies through an umbrella review with an evidence map for improving evidence quality.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We searched 10 databases from inception to March 20, 2025, that investigated the effects of TCM therapies on sleep-related subjective or objective outcomes for insomnia. We assessed the methodological quality of included SR/MAs using A Measurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews (AMSTAR 2) tool, evaluated the certainty of evidence with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) tool, and visually presented the results as an evidence map.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Thirty-six SR/MAs included in this umbrella review described 3 TCM non-pharmacotherapies (i.e., acupuncture, Tuina massage, and Chinese exercises), and Chinese herbal medicine (CHM). The AMSTAR 2 results showed that 20 SR/MAs had high or moderate methodological quality, while the remaining studies were of low or critically low methodological quality. The evidence map showed high-quality SR/MAs supported the effect of acupuncture, Tuina massage, Chinese exercises, and CHM on overall sleep quality, while acupuncture, Tuina massage, and Chinese exercises could also improve anxiety and depression. Moreover, acupuncture and Tuina massage might improve objective outcomes such as polysomnography parameters and 5-hydroxytryptamine level.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Acupuncture, Tuina massage, and Chinese exercises are effective in improving overall sleep quality and emotional outcomes and have potential effects on objective sleep parameters. There is sufficient evidence that several CHM formulas could improve sleep quality. However, the methodological quality of SR/MAs needs further improvement.</div></div><div><h3>Protocol registration</h3><div>PROSPERO, CRD42022347769.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13644,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Medicine Research","volume":"14 3","pages":"Article 101176"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144502292","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}

{"title":"Efficacy of herbal medicine (Thatbunjob) in the treatment of foodborne illness: A placebo-controlled, randomized trial","authors":"Jaiboonya Jaicharoensub ,&nbsp;Sumalee Panthong ,&nbsp;Intouch Sakpakdeejaroen ,&nbsp;Thanee Eiamsitrakoon ,&nbsp;Patommatat Bhanthumkomol","doi":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101153","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101153","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Foodborne illness (FI) causes 600 million cases and 420,000 deaths annually. Current treatments focus on rehydration and antispasmodic medications for managing dehydration and abdominal pain (AP). However, alternative therapies, especially those derived from natural ingredients, are needed. This study investigates the potential efficacy of herbal medicine,Thatbunjob as a complementary therapy for FI-related AP.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial assessed the efficacy of Thatbunjob in relieving AP in FI patients. A total of 114 patients, aged 18–60, with AP and diarrhea (≥3 episodes in 24 h), received either two 500 mg capsules of Thatbunjob or a placebo three times daily for three days. Both groups also received standard oral rehydration therapy. Primary outcomes included AP intensity using a visual analog scale (VAS) at 24 h, while secondary outcomes included pain at 48 and 72 h, responder rates, hyoscine butyl bromide usage, stool frequency, and adverse events.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The Thatbunjob group showed significantly greater reduction in AP compared to the placebo. VAS scores decreased from 5.69 to 2.95 at 24 h (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001), and pain relief persisted at 48 (1.43 vs. 3.05, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001) and 72 h (0.32 vs. 1.86, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). Thatbunjob also reduced the need for hyoscine tablets and decreased stool frequency compared to placebo.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study demonstrates that Thatbunjob, when combined with standard rehydration therapy, effectively alleviates AP and reduces stool frequency in FI patients.</div></div><div><h3>Trial registration</h3><div>Thai Clinical Trials Registry, TCTR20220823001.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13644,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Medicine Research","volume":"14 3","pages":"Article 101153"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144471059","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}

{"title":"Herbal decoctions for dysmenorrhea under universal health coverage pilot project: Evidence from a nationwide claims database in the Republic of Korea","authors":"Kyeore Bae ,&nbsp;Minjung Park ,&nbsp;Junhyeok Yi","doi":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101152","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101152","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Despite its high prevalence, dysmenorrhea is an underestimated gynecological disorder. To enhance the service coverage, the Pilot Project for Expanding National Health Insurance (NHI) Coverage to Herbal Decoctions (HDs) was implemented in the Republic of Korea from November 2020. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of HDs for dysmenorrhea at a nationwide level. Additionally, its impact on accessibility was explored.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This retrospective observational study used claims data from the pilot project (November 1, 2020, to April 28, 2024). A linear mixed-effects model was used to estimate symptom improvement during the HD exposure period. Time series data decomposition and structural change points detection were performed using NHI statistics on dysmenorrhea patient counts for those who received medical services between 2014 and 2023.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among 39,574 participants, a descriptive analysis of 7016 suggested a tendency to receive HD treatment for moderate-to-severe symptoms. Effectiveness analysis demonstrated that HD significantly reduced symptom severity over time (β = –0.072, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001). Adverse events were reported by 0.58 % of the patients, mostly involving gastrointestinal symptoms. Following the initiation of the pilot project, a significant increase in the number of patients with dysmenorrhea receiving traditional Korean medicine (TKM) services was observed.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The nationwide pilot project showed clinical effectiveness and a manageable safety profile of HDs for dysmenorrhea. The universal health coverage initiative appeared to have improved the accessibility of TKM services for managing dysmenorrhea. Further robust research utilizing nationwide real-world data is required to validate these findings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13644,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Medicine Research","volume":"14 3","pages":"Article 101152"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144195483","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}

{"title":"Effect of acupoint catgut embedding for simple obesity in adults: A randomized controlled double-blind trial","authors":"Qiwang Yang ,&nbsp;Nenggui Xu ,&nbsp;Lidong Guo ,&nbsp;Hui Li ,&nbsp;Xiaoyan Li ,&nbsp;Qingmei Zeng ,&nbsp;Wenyue Zhang ,&nbsp;Shiping Li ,&nbsp;Wei Yi","doi":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101151","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101151","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) is considered an effective treatment for simple obesity, though high-quality clinical evidence remains lacking. To establish a solid evidence base in obesity management, well-designed studies are needed to verify both the short- and long-term efficacy and safety of ACE.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In this randomized controlled, double-blind trial, 120 patients with simple obesity were initially allocated to verum ACE (<em>n</em> = 60) or sham ACE group (<em>n</em> = 60) .One participant allocated to the verum group was excluded during screening for failing to meet BMI criteria (&lt;24 kg/m²), resulting in a final cohort of 59 verum and 60 sham cases completing the 12-week intervention and 12-week follow-up. The primary outcome was the change in body weight from baseline to week 12. Secondary outcomes included body weight change at 12-week follow-up, cumulative weight change by week 24, changes in body mass index (BMI), body fat status, body circumference, and appetite indicators.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>After the 12-week treatment, both groups showed varying degrees of weight loss, with the verum ACE group experiencing a significantly greater reduction compared to the sham group. At the 12-week follow-up, the visceral fat grade of the verum group was significantly greater than that of sham group. The waist, upper arm, and thigh girths in the verum group decreased significantly more than that in sham group; the reduction degree of waist-hip ratio was significantly better than that in the sham group at all time points. Additionally, the cumulative reduction in appetite factors was significantly higher in the verum group compared to the sham group.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>ACE can significantly reduce body weight, and is both long-lasting and safe. It also has beneficial effects on fat distribution, body circumference, and appetite, making it a promising complementary therapy for simple obesity.</div></div><div><h3>Trial registration</h3><div>Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2100046693.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13644,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Medicine Research","volume":"14 2","pages":"Article 101151"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144105933","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}

{"title":"Evaluating and ranking guidelines on traditional and integrative medicine globally: Establishment of the International STAR-TIM Committee","authors":"Xuan Yu ,&nbsp;Yishan Qin ,&nbsp;Janne Estill ,&nbsp;Hui Liu ,&nbsp;Xu Wang ,&nbsp;Zhaoxiang Bian ,&nbsp;Yaolong Chen ,&nbsp;on behalf of STAR Secretariat","doi":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101150","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101150","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To further enhance the quality and transparency of practice guidelines and consensus statements, the Scientific, Transparent, and Applicable Rankings (STAR) working group was officially established and commenced its work in 2021. The STAR tool contains 39 items grouped into 11 domains, with each domain and item assigned to a weight that reflects its importance. In 2021–2022, a total of 266 Chinese Traditional and Integrative Medicine (TIM) guidelines and consensus statements met the inclusion criteria for STAR evaluation. After evaluating these TIM guidelines and consensus statements, the highest STAR score achieved was 96.5 (out of 100), with a median score 23.3 and a mean score of 32.0. As the number of TIM guidelines and consensus statements published globally continues to increase, the STAR Secretariat aims to establish an International STAR Specialty Committee for TIM. Utilizing the integrated STAR evaluation system and large language models, the committee seeks to enhance the efficiency of evaluations without compromising accuracy. This initiative aims to conduct evaluations of international TIM guidelines and consensus statements, thereby improving their quality and transparency. Additionally, it will assess the importance and necessity of developing the International STAR-TIM Extension.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13644,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Medicine Research","volume":"14 2","pages":"Article 101150"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144067947","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}