Characterization of patients seeking treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). A retrospective study in six TCM centers.
This study aims to perform a retrospective data analysis of the previous 5 years for better understanding the current TCM situation in Switzerland. We will quantitatively elucidate the distribution and proportion of the TCM-treated conditions (diseases or symptoms), whether they were acute or chronic; and caused by accident or illness. Furthermore, we will receive insights into the performed number of therapy sessions and caused costs for the patient. Additionally, due to this first retrospective study in a large number of patients, we gain knowledge about the role of TCM in tertiary prevention in Switzerland. Especially the role of TCM before and after COVID is unknown and can be described by this study. In addition, the findings form an important basis for future prospective cohort studies, which aim to quantify the efficacy of TCM in rehabilitation medicine for chronic conditions.
Status: Ethic Approval received (April 2023).
Comparison of two acupuncture methods for chronic low back pain – A randomized, single-blinded, clinical trial.
Various clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of acupuncture as a therapeutic method for pain reduction in chronic low back pain. In our research project we want to find out whether an acupuncture method developed in Switzerland leads to better clinical results compared to the standard acupuncture method for chronic low back pain.
Patient recruitment is open. For more information, please see the Study Flyer.
The study protocol was published here:
Swiss/standard acupuncture comparison for low back pain. | JPR (dovepress.com)
Patient satisfaction survey in TCM
By means of a comprehensive satisfaction questionnaire at the 6th treatment, we would like to find out whether the patients are satisfied with the hygiene, service and TCM treatment. We would also like to find out what complaints are present and how they are treated. These results help to better characterize the TCM environment and treatment. Such questionnaire studies will be expanded in the future to measure the treatment effect.
STATUS: Study ongoing
Research activities in Traditional Chinese Medicine in Switzerland. A systematic literature review
TCM has been shown to be effective in the treatment and prevention of a number of diseases and ailments, is gaining popularity in Switzerland and is partially covered by health insurance. Therefore, TCM research and findings on treatment effects obtained in Switzerland are relevant to the national medical impact of TCM.
In this systematic literature review, we would like to summarise the research activity and disease foci of TCM research in Switzerland.
STATUS: Study ongoing
Expedition Report: Altitude Sickness in Women – A Pilot Study
On September 26, the time had come. The small Swiss expedition team, consisting of the assistant physician Dr. med. Stefanie Ulrich (University Hospital Zurich), the TCM physician Dr. TCM Saroj Pradhan (SWISS TCM UNI, TCM Ming Dao) and Prof. Dr. sc. ETH Michael Furian (SWISS TCM UNI), traveled to Kyrgyzstan to conduct a pilot study in the Kyrgyz mountains. This study had a pioneering character in all areas and we would like to share with you in this expedition report the project, the project goal and our experiences and impressions.
STATUS: Completed (October 2022)
