Abstract:

WHO promotes evidence-based traditional medicine. Methodological issues limit evaluation of therapeutic effect of TCM. Current methods for evaluation do not properly reflect the humanity characteristics and holistic approach and differentiation of syndrome and prescription. TCM therapeutics is a complex intervention, and there is a limitation of methodology by only randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials as it doesn't comply with bio-psycho-social-environmental and spiritual model for modern medicine. To fairly evaluate TCM therapeutic, we need to combine both quantitative and qualitative methods together, so as to create modality and methodology for TCM differentiation of syndrome and treatment.