An innovative method to accommodate chinese medicine pattern diagnosis within the framework of evidence-based medical research

摘要: Pattern diagnosis is an integral aspect of Chinese medicine (CM). CM differentiates biomedical diseases into patterns, based upon the patient’s symptoms and signs. identification (PI) used to diagnose, direct treatment principle determine protocol. Most research has fixed formula treatments for Western-defined with outcomes measured using objective markers. This article presents innovative method in a randomised controlled pilot study acupuncture participants hepatitis C virus. Each participant’s patterns were identified quantified at baseline which directed protocol group. Data that while each participant expressed different all displayed multiple patterns. Six showed some expression by 16 participants; Liver (Gan) yin vacuity expressing group aggregate mean percentage 47.2, binding depression qi 46.9, Kidney (Shen) 45.1. Further sub category gender grouping revealed pattern ranking changed gender; (male 53.4%, female 51.93%), 50.0%, 42.86%) 42.9%, 47.96%). The quantification described this permitted statistical evaluation presenting Although methodology its infancy it may have potential use integration PI rigorous evidence clinical research. Biomedical markers often do not relate symptom/signs therefore measure offer additional further understanding.