Yan Ling Kwok , Ran Wang , Hiu To Tang , Siyu Chen , Albert Yeung , Zhaoxiang Bian , Danny J. Yu
{"title":"Exploring the potential transdiagnostic treatment effects of Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture on insomnia disorder comorbid with chronic pain: A scoping review","authors":"Yan Ling Kwok , Ran Wang , Hiu To Tang , Siyu Chen , Albert Yeung , Zhaoxiang Bian , Danny J. Yu","doi":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101208","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101208","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Over 20 % of adults with insomnia disorder also experience chronic pain, termed insomnia disorder comorbid with chronic pain (ICCP), increasing risks for physical and mental diseases. Current treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia show inconsistent pain relief, and non-opioid analgesics may exacerbate insomnia, underscoring the need for alternative approaches. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) and acupuncture, guided by traditional Chinese medicine, may offer transdiagnostic benefits for ICCP, but a comprehensive review is lacking. This scoping review evaluates their therapeutic effects and mechanisms for ICCP.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>PubMed, Wanfang, ClinicalTrials.gov and Google Scholar were searched up to December 31, 2024, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving adults (≥18 years) with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition-defined insomnia and the International Association for the Study of Pain-defined chronic pain, treated with CHM or acupuncture. Effect sizes (modified Cohen’s d) assessed efficacy of interventions, and the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool evaluated the risk of bias.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Six RCTs (487 participants) were included. CHM (modified Guipi decoction) showed medium to large effects for insomnia (<em>d</em> = 0.70–1.17) and pain (<em>d</em> = 0.67–1.42) versus diazepam/estazolam. Acupuncture had medium to large effects for insomnia (<em>d</em> = 0.64–0.99) and pain (<em>d</em> = 0.80–1.33) compared to treatment as usual. Combined CHM (Da Huoluo capsules) and acupuncture showed medium effects (<em>d</em> = 0.72 for insomnia; <em>d</em> = 0.57 for pain) versus multi-medications/traction. Most studies (83.33 %) had high risk of bias.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>CHM and acupuncture show promise for ICCP management, but high risk of bias warrants cautious interpretation and further high-quality RCTs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13644,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Medicine Research","volume":"14 4","pages":"Article 101208"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144866465","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":"Artificial intelligence in integrative medicine: Transforming education for a digital future","authors":"Darshan H. Mehta , Melinda Ring","doi":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101259","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101259","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13644,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Medicine Research","volume":"14 4","pages":"Article 101259"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145325189","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}
Eunbin Kwag , Xiaotong Li , Sheila Garland , Karolina Bryl , Lauren Taylor , Qing S. Li , Lindsay Amann , Jun J. Mao , Kelly M. McConnell
{"title":"Acupuncture versus cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety among cancer survivors with insomnia: An exploratory analysis of a randomized clinical trial","authors":"Eunbin Kwag , Xiaotong Li , Sheila Garland , Karolina Bryl , Lauren Taylor , Qing S. Li , Lindsay Amann , Jun J. Mao , Kelly M. McConnell","doi":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101213","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101213","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Anxiety and insomnia frequently co-occur among cancer survivors and are strongly interconnected, yet no widely accepted intervention simultaneously targets both symptoms.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Data were drawn from a dual-center, parallel-group, randomized, comparative effectiveness trial evaluating acupuncture versus CBT-I for insomnia. Seventy-six participants with baseline Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety (HADS-A) scores of ≥8 were included. Both interventions were administered over eight weeks, with follow-up until 20 weeks. Anxiety was assessed at baseline, week 8, and week 20 using HADS-A. A linear mixed-effects model was used to examine mean change in HADS-A scores. Additionally, responder analyses were conducted, with insomnia and anxiety responders defined as patients demonstrating clinically meaningful improvements in either outcome by week 8.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Both CBT-I and acupuncture significantly reduced HADS-A scores at week 8 (CBT-I: -3.75; acupuncture: -3.14) and week 20 (CBT-I: -3.05; acupuncture: -2.66) compared to baseline (all p < 0.001). There was no between-group difference (p=0.85). In responder analyses, CBT-I showed greater anxiety reduction in insomnia responders (-4.62) than non-responders (-0.45), at both time points (week 8: <em>p</em>=0.0046; week 20: <em>p</em>=0.038). In the acupuncture group, the difference in anxiety reduction between insomnia responders (-3.96) and non-responders (-1.58) was not statistically significant.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Both acupuncture and CBT-I effectively manage comorbid anxiety and insomnia in cancer survivors. Acupuncture may address these symptoms independently, while CBT-I may improve them in an interconnected manner.</div></div><div><h3>Trial registration</h3><div>ClinicalTrials.gov registration (NCT02356575).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13644,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Medicine Research","volume":"14 4","pages":"Article 101213"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144866399","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":"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":"2025-12-01","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}
{"title":"Effects of LIPOSA-T pharmacopuncture on localized fat as a fat dissolving injection via regulation of fat metabolism","authors":"Mi Hye Kim , Seong Chul Jin , Woong Mo Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101201","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101201","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Excessive fat deposition in localized adiposity is known to induce severe medical diseases as well as aesthetic problems. Of late, LIPOSA-T pharmacopuncture, a new herbal pharmacopuncture consisting of the cortex of <em>Morus alba</em> and bark of <em>Magnolia officinalis</em>, is developed as a non-surgical injection for dissolving localized fat deposits.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The network pharmacology analysis was carried out with the target gene sets of constituents of <em>M. alba</em> and <em>M. officinalis</em>. Male C57BL/6 J mice were induced obesity and injected LIPOSA-T pharmacopuncture into inguinal fat pad. The fat weight and size were analyzed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The possible pathways and mechanism of action of LIPOSA-T were found to be mainly related to the fatty acid biosynthesis, glycolysis and glycogenesis in KEGG Pathways database. Subcutaneous injection of the LIPOSA-T pharmacopuncture significantly reduced the inguinal fat tissues weight and enlarged adipocyte size. In addition, the phosphorylated IRS with the PEPCK and G6p expressions were increased by the LIPOSA-T injection. Following the increase of AMPK expression, the fatty acid synthesis enzyme and lipolytic enzymes were regulated by the LIPOSA-T.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Taken together, LIPOSA-T exerted the catabolic effects on fat deposition in obesity by regulating the glucose production, lipid synthesis and TAG hydrolysis in consistent with the prediction results. Based on the findings, LIPOSA-T pharmacopuncture is expected to be a dissolving injection for localized fat.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13644,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Medicine Research","volume":"14 4","pages":"Article 101201"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144852718","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}
Xinyin Hu , Yinger Gu , Hye Won Lee , Xiaoteng Chen , Ying Li , Xinyue Li , Qiaoping Zhao , Wei Wang , Haifeng Huang , Lisi Wang , Nv Xia , Wenjie Wu , Lingling Lou , Pingchun Yang , Ke Ren , Jinglu Guo , Cheng Wang , Longlong Fan , Zheng Yao , Guomei You , Fan Qu
{"title":"A national survey on the integration of traditional Chinese medicine and artificial intelligence: attitudes and perceptions from the individuals with health needs","authors":"Xinyin Hu , Yinger Gu , Hye Won Lee , Xiaoteng Chen , Ying Li , Xinyue Li , Qiaoping Zhao , Wei Wang , Haifeng Huang , Lisi Wang , Nv Xia , Wenjie Wu , Lingling Lou , Pingchun Yang , Ke Ren , Jinglu Guo , Cheng Wang , Longlong Fan , Zheng Yao , Guomei You , Fan Qu","doi":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101219","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101219","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plays an indispensable role in the healthcare system. Artificial intelligence (AI) opens a new pathway for TCM modernization, while also addressing critical healthcare challenges. The present national survey was conducted to assess the attitudes and perceptions of individuals with health needs regarding the integration of TCM with AI.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cross-sectional national survey was conducted at 13 medical institutions across China. A structured, self-reported questionnaire was administered to 2587 individuals with health needs, including patients seeking TCM/Western medical treatment and individuals undergoing routine physical examinations, between June 27th and July 11th, 2025.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 1641 (63.4 %) respondents were familiar with the TCM-AI equipment, and 61.7 % respondents were willing to try TCM diagnosis and treatment services combined with AI. 43.5 % respondents trusted the diagnosis results provided by the TCM-AI equipment. In the subgroup analysis, respondents aged 18–34, with a bachelor's degree or associate's degree as their educational background, and working as employees of state organs, showed greater acceptance and trust towards the integration of TCM and AI (<em>P</em> < 0.005). The top three most promising applications were the intelligent syndrome differentiation system (46.9 %), TCM four diagnostic instruments (39.9 %), and intelligent TCM formula (39.0 %).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The integration of TCM and AI demonstrates promising acceptance among health-seeking individuals in China, with younger and educated populations who have health demands for TCM showing particularly high trust, and intelligent syndrome differentiation systems highlight a clear pathway for AI to modernize TCM practice by augmenting diagnostic accuracy and treatment personalization.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13644,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Medicine Research","volume":"14 4","pages":"Article 101219"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144866397","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}
Soobin Jang , Hyein Jeong , Jungi Park , Mi Mi Ko , Jeeyoun Jung
{"title":"Development of core outcome set for healthy aging treatment in primary care settings","authors":"Soobin Jang , Hyein Jeong , Jungi Park , Mi Mi Ko , Jeeyoun Jung","doi":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101205","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101205","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Healthy aging is a global public health priority, with increasing interest in the promotion of functional ability and well-being among older adults. South Korea’s rapidly aging population highlights the need for standardized evaluation tools for interventions. This study aimed to develop a Core Outcome Set (COS) for healthy aging treatment in primary care.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The COS was developed following the COS-STAD guidelines and through a multiphase process, including a literature review and a modified Delphi consensus. A project management group (PMG) reviewed studies related to health promotion programs and generated an initial list of outcomes. This list was refined through two rounds of Delphi surveys involving 16 experts. Consensus was assessed using content validity ratio, degree of consensus, and convergence.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Twenty-six studies informed the initial outcome list, resulting in 24 outcomes for the Delphi evaluation. Two Delphi rounds and a final review by the PMG established a COS comprising 12 outcomes. These included EQ-5D, Geriatric Depression Scale, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, body weight, blood pressure, blood glucose, blood lipids, liver function, kidney function, Korean Frailty Index, Self-rated Health, and Kidney-Deficiency Score.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The COS provides a standardized set of outcomes for evaluating healthy aging interventions in primary care. Its application in primary care and health promotion programs may enhance comparability across studies and support evidence-based decision making. Future revisions are recommended based on clinical applications and emerging research findings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13644,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Medicine Research","volume":"14 4","pages":"Article 101205"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144860466","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}
Se Won Na , Hye Yoom Kim , Jung Joo Yoon , Mi Hyeon Hong , Ai Lin Tai , Yun Jeong Yang , Chae Yeon Yoo , Ho Sub Lee , Dae Gill Kang
{"title":"Therapeutic effects of Gunryeong-tang on the cardio-renal axis in an animal model of pulmonary hypertension","authors":"Se Won Na , Hye Yoom Kim , Jung Joo Yoon , Mi Hyeon Hong , Ai Lin Tai , Yun Jeong Yang , Chae Yeon Yoo , Ho Sub Lee , Dae Gill Kang","doi":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101218","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101218","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Background:</em> In the realm of cardiovascular and renal health, the modulation of oxidative stress and inflammation within the cardio-renal axis plays a pivotal role. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of Gunryeong-tang (GRT), a traditional Korean herbal formula combining Oryeongsan (Wulingsan) and Sagunza-tang (Sijunzi-tang), specifically in addressing cardio-renal axis dysfunction induced by pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH-r). <em>Methods:</em> PAH-r models were induced through intraperitoneal injection of monocrotaline (MCT) at a daily dose of 50 mg/kg for 5 days to simulate pulmonary hypertension, a common cause of cardio-renal syndrome. The primary focus is on evaluating its anti-fibroinflammatory effects and its ability to modulate oxidative stress and inflammation. The treatment group received oral administration of GRT (100 mg/kg/day). <em>Results</em>: Various parameters were assessed, including right ventricular (RV) enlargement and fibrosis, lung weight, pulmonary fibrosis, expression of cardiac hypertrophy markers, and involvement of specific pathways (TGF-β/p-Smad2 and HMGB-1/TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB). Renal dysfunction markers, such as blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine clearance rate (Ccr), glomerular dilatation, tubular fibrosis, and protein expression of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), were evaluated to highlight the formula's anti-fibroinflammatory effects. Treatment resulted in significant improvements in the PAH-r group. It alleviated RV enlargement and fibrosis, suppressed lung weight increase, and mitigated pulmonary fibrosis. The administration downregulated cardiac hypertrophy markers (CTGF, TGF-β, and α-SMA mRNA levels) and inhibited the TGF-β/p-Smad2 and HMGB-1/TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathways, showcasing GRT's anti-fibroinflammatory properties. Additionally, the treatment ameliorated renal dysfunction, as evidenced by reduced BUN and Ccr levels, improved glomerular dilatation, and reduced protein expression of KIM-1 and NGAL. GRT demonstrates significant therapeutic potential in managing cardio-renal axis dysfunction induced by PAH-r, emphasizing its multifaceted benefits in modulating oxidative stress and inflammation within this axis. <em>Conclusions</em>: This study provides valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms, highlighting the modulation of cardiac hypertrophy markers and specific pathways. These findings underscore the promising role of GRT as a viable treatment option for cardio-renal axis dysfunction associated with PAH-r.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13644,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Medicine Research","volume":"14 4","pages":"Article 101218"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144886927","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}
Yinger Gu , Xinyin Hu , Hye Won Lee , Zheng Yao , Tianyi Zhou , Nv Xia , Pingchun Yang , Jinglu Guo , Haifeng Huang , Lisi Wang , Wei Wang , Cheng Wang , Qiaoping Zhao , Lingling Lou , Wenjie Wu , Ke Ren , Guomei You , Longlong Fan , Jue Zhou , Fangfang Wang , Fan Qu
{"title":"A national survey on how to improve the integration of traditional Chinese medicine and artificial intelligence: Attitudes and perceptions from medical staff","authors":"Yinger Gu , Xinyin Hu , Hye Won Lee , Zheng Yao , Tianyi Zhou , Nv Xia , Pingchun Yang , Jinglu Guo , Haifeng Huang , Lisi Wang , Wei Wang , Cheng Wang , Qiaoping Zhao , Lingling Lou , Wenjie Wu , Ke Ren , Guomei You , Longlong Fan , Jue Zhou , Fangfang Wang , Fan Qu","doi":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101214","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.imr.2025.101214","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>With the significant development of artificial intelligence (AI) in recent years, the inheritance and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) urgently require the help of AI technology. The present study was to evaluate the attitudes and perceptions of medical staff towards the integration of TCM and AI development.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cross-sectional national survey was conducted at 13 medical institutions across China. A structured and self-reported questionnaire, consisting of six sections with a total of 14 items, was administered to 1100 medical staff between June 27th and July 11th, 2025.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In the process of clinical practice, 62.1 % of medical staff were willing to try TCM diagnosis and treatment services combined with AI. The top three important processes of integration of TCM and AI were medical research, personalized generation of regimen, and intelligent inquiry. The top three concerns about the potential risks associated with the integration of TCM and AI were the misinterpretation of cultural contexts, flexibility in dialectical treatment, and simplification of traditional TCM experience by algorithms. The top three most promising applications were the intelligent syndrome differentiation system (54.6 %), the TCM four diagnostic instruments (49.1 %), and the acupuncture and Tui Na robot (47.8 %). The top three most important factors in the application of AI in TCM were accuracy (78.0 %), convenience of operation (67.5 %), and participation of medical staff (60.9 %).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The integration of TCM and AI has a brilliant and promising future, prioritizing diagnostic accuracy while addressing cultural/clinical adaptation challenges in key applications, such as syndrome differentiation systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":13644,"journal":{"name":"Integrative Medicine Research","volume":"14 4","pages":"Article 101214"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144866393","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}