Emerging Developments in Integrative and Complementary Medicine: Advancements in Research and Clinical Applications—Second Edition
Special Issue Editor
Interests: biomedical engineering; parameterization of TCM diagnosis and therapeutics; acupuncture; traditional Chinese medicine; Qigong; meditation; biofield phenomena; focused intention
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
In recent decades, the interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been steadily increasing within Western societies. Integrating CAM approaches, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), into Western healthcare and research frameworks calls for a pragmatic and science-driven strategy. This integration requires standardising practices from diagnosis to treatment and harmonising ancient wisdom with contemporary scientific knowledge and technology. Key prerequisites include a coherent and communicable theoretical framework, scientific validation of efficacy and safety, and rigorous quality control to objectively assess TCM-related effects. Reliable and, where necessary, newly developed technological methods must be employed.
Much like conventional Western diagnosis, a well-founded TCM diagnostic process reflects the patient’s vegetative functional state and informs the therapeutic approach to presenting symptoms. TCM treatments, such as acupuncture, often involve the targeted stimulation of specific acupoints on the skin. The demonstrated success of acupuncture has prompted intensive research into the channel or meridian system, and core components of traditional acupuncture theory. Practices such as acupuncture and Qigong may activate the body's self-regulating mechanisms, potentially leading to profound structural and functional improvements that go beyond mere symptom management. This field of research carries significant medical implications and may broaden the scientific community’s understanding of human regulation and physiological adaptation.
We warmly invite submissions focused on clinical applications, outcomes, and patient safety as well as the clinical applications of TCM. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, acupuncture, moxibustion, Chinese herbal medicine, and dietetics, Qigong, Tai Chi, Tuina, automated diagnostic systems, and other CAM approaches, as well as investigations into biofield phenomena and the role of intention.
Dr. Luís Carlos Matos
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- acupuncture and moxibustion
- phytotherapy in integrative medicine
- Qigong and Tai Chi
- tuina and cupping
- auriculotherapy
- hand acupuncture and reflexology
- automatic diagnosis systems
- laser and electrical stimulation of acupoints
- meditation and focused intention
- biofield phenomena
- other CAM modalities
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