Review and prospect of key scientific questions in acupuncture and moxibustion

This paper briefly reviewed the scientific research on acupuncture over the past 70 years, providing a deep analysis of the research trajectory and current status of meridians, acupoints, and needling techniques. The inheritance, innovation, and development of acupuncture should be centered around the discipline’s intrinsic characteristics, systematically elucidating the essence and scientific value within traditional acupuncture and moxibustion theories while objectively and comprehensively presenting its theoretical framework. A thorough exploration of acupoint functions is essential, clarifying the target-organ regulatory effects of acupoint specificity while emphasizing the systemic regulatory roles of acupoints and their universal effects. The regulatory principles of acupuncture and moxibustion should be systematically unveiled, focusing on the pivotal scientific question concerning the relationships among acupoint, the central nervous system, and peripheral organs. A multi-level analysis—from macroscopic to mesoscopic to microscopic—should be conducted to decipher acupuncture’s multi-system regulatory mechanisms. Research on the dose-effect relationship of key variables in acupuncture is imperative, with a focus on factors influencing therapeutic outcomes. Clinical studies should aim to establish a big data platform capable of analyzing the characteristics and trends of acupuncture and moxibustion efficacy. Basic research, through innovative paradigms, should delve into the relationship between these key variables and effects, as well as the underlying mechanisms. Accelerating clinical and equipment translation is crucial, bridging the gap between basic and clinical research. The development of non-invasive wearable smart devices is encouraged to establish a “bedside to bench to bedside” translational paradigm in acupuncture research.