Explanation of clinical application of classical Chinese herbal formulas under guidance of classic acupuncture theory by examples / 中国针灸

The classic acupuncture theory is an important component of the basic theory of TCM. Due to clinical disciplinary division and other factors, the relationship of acupuncture theory with each division of "Chinese herbal formula and pulse" has been gradually alienated. In this paper, by taking the progress of syndrome/pattern differentiation and treatment of 3 medical cases as the examples, the feasibility of clinical application of classical formulas guided by the classic acupuncture theory and clinical effect are explained. It shows that the accuracy of syndrome/pattern differentiation and the therapeutic effect can be obviously improved if the classic acupuncture theory is correctly applied to the syndrome/pattern differentiation and treatment with classical Chinese herbal formulas. It also proves the inner communication and high complementarity in terms of the theory between acupuncture and classical Chinese herbal formula. It is anticipated to provide the references for the theoretic integration among academic disciplines and for the mutual reference as well as for the application of the characteristic theories among specialties.

Appraisal of the Quality and Contents of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Hypertension Management in Chinese Medicine: A Systematic Review / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the quality and consistency of recommendations in the clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for hypertension in Chinese medicine (CM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CM CPGs were identified from 5 electronic databases and hand searches through related handbooks published from January 1990 to December 2013. Three reviewers independently appraised the CPGs based on the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) instrument, and compared the CPGs' recommendations on CM syndrome pattern classification and treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Five CM CPGs for hypertension were included. The quality score of the evidence-based (EB) guideline was higher than those of the consensus-based with no explicit consideration of evidence-based (CB-EB) and the consensus-based (CB) guidelines. Three out of five patterns in the CPGs were recommended by the EB guideline. Tianma Gouteng Formula () in the EB guideline was recommended mostly for hypertension patients with pattern of ascendant hyperactivity of Gan (Liver)-yang and pattern of yin deficiency with yang hyperactivity in the CPGs. Acupuncture and massage were recommended for Grade I and Grade II hypertension with severe symptoms weakening the quality of life in the EB guideline. For Grade I and Grade II hypertension, CM could be used alone, while for Grade III hypertension, they should be used in combination with Western medicines.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The quality of EB guideline was higher than those of CB and CB-EB CPGs in CM for hypertension and CM should be prescribed alone or combined with Western medicines based on the grade of hypertension.</p>