An integrative Chinese-Western diagnostic approach to predict a positive response to acupuncture

Background

Our recent paper published in Acupuncture in Medicine showed that the response to acupuncture was difficult to predict; the only significant predictor of a positive response to 3 weeks of thrice-weekly traditional needle acupuncture for insomnia was educational level.1 In view of this challenging situation, we explored whether an integrative Chinese-Western diagnostic approach could be useful for predicting treatment response.

Traditional Chinese Medicine theory

Over the years, different theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have been developed to understand illnesses and bodily disharmony and are sometimes used to guide TCM therapies, including acupuncture. The most accepted categorisation is a description in terms of Yin and Yang, external and internal, hot and cold, and excess and deficiency, in addition to Qi, Blood, body-fluid and zang-fu differentiation. We have earlier examined the response to acupuncture in different TCM patterns. Although response rates varied, being highest for Liver-qi stagnation transforming into fire...

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