Musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs) encompass a spectrum of over 150 distinct conditions that impact the musculoskeletal system, affecting people all over the world. Traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) is an integrated healthcare concept that combines conventional therapies with complementary health care. There has been a lack of overarching study to systematically demonstrate the scope of research on TCIM for MSDs. The study aims to explore the patterns and trends in TCIM for MSDs over the last 20 years.

The Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-E) in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) was selected as the data source to identify relevant publications. We included research and review articles published in English from January 1, 2004, to July 29, 2024. The CiteSpace 6.1.R1 software package was used to conduct bibliometric and visual analysis about the number of publications and the distributions of countries/regions, institutions, authors, journals, and their co-occurrence. Microsoft Excel was used to collect information on numbers and frequencies.

A total of 6345 publications were retrieved, including 5559 research articles and 786 review articles. The annual number of publications exhibited an overall upward trend in 20 years. Vitamin D and osteoporosis were the most frequently studied TCIM and MSD, respectively. Research hotspots have gradually shifted from epidemiological investigations of and diagnostic techniques for MSDs to studies of specific populations and disease risk factors and management strategies. Future studies should be conducted to monitor changes in research topics and focus on the prevention and risk recognition of MSDs.

This bibliometric study lays the foundation for further studies in the fields of TCIM and MSDs. Despite the local and indigenous characteristics of TCIM, we encourage international cooperation and interaction. At a time when healthcare needs are shifting toward safety, prevention, and wellness, the role of TCIM should be considered.

To provide high-quality clinical evidence of the efficacy of Tibetan medicine Honghua Ruyi (HHRY) pills for endometriosis-associated dysmenorrhea.

This study constitutes a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial encompassing a three-menstrual cycle intervention followed by a three-menstrual cycle follow-up period. A total of 164 eligible females with endometriosis-associated dysmenorrhea were randomly divided into HHRY pills and placebo groups in a 1:1 ratio. The primary outcome included dysmenorrhea symptoms assessed using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores and quality of life, whereas the secondary outcome measures included the maximum VAS for non-menstrual pelvic pain, duration of pain episodes (in days), frequency and quantity of the consumption of ibuprofen sustained-release capsules (or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and days off work/study for staff/student due to dysmenorrhea, ovarian cyst, and/or pelvic nodule size. The safety was monitored throughout the treatment period. All the analyses were based on the intention-to-treat principle. For continuous outcomes, simple or multiple linear regressions were used to estimate the differences between the HHRY pills and placebo groups, with categorical data expressed as the number and percentage of occurrences. Differences were compared using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. The predefined analysis was adjusted for concomitant treatment, a variable considered to be associated with outcomes but unaffected by treatment allocation. Estimates of treatment effects were reported with 95% confidence intervals. Two-tailed P values ≤ .05 were considered statistically significant.

Positive results from this trial, upon completion would provide robust evidence for the efficacy and safety of HHRY pills in treating dysmenorrhea in patients with endometriosis.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Baimai ointment in patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH).

This study presents a prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial protocol. A total of 194 cases will be employed, with a 1:1 allocation ratio for each group. Patients will receive either Baimai ointment or placebo over a 14-day treatment period, which will be followed by a 1-week follow-up period. Visual analogue scale scores will be used for the level of pain, the Japanese Orthopedic Association score will be measured primarily to determine the functional status, the Likert scale will be graded for the level of numbness, and rescue therapy use and compliance with health education will be recorded. Laboratory tests and adverse event records will also be applied for safety assessments.

In summary, this trial will assess the clinical efficacy and safety of Baimai ointment for LDH for the first time. The use of a placebo has the advantage of precluding anticipatory biases resulting from inadequate blinding. Outcome assessors, data managers, statisticians, and all related study staff will be blinded to avoid any bias caused by subjective factors in the study subjects and investigators. Valuable information for clinical LDH treatment and future research on Baimai ointment will be generated from the findings.

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) for incomplete immune reconstruction in patients with HIV/AIDS.

Eight electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the use of CHM for patients with HIV/AIDS with incomplete immune reconstruction. Outcomes included CD4⁺ cell count, quality of life, and adverse events/effects. The Cochrane Risk of Bias was employed to evaluate the methodological quality of the included RCTs.

We identified 13 eligible RCTs, with an overall high risk of bias, on 10 different CHMs. There was a significant increase in CD4⁺ cell count after the use of Jianpi Yiqi medicinal paste for 3 months; tripterygium glycosides tablets (TGTs) for 3 months (mean difference [MD] 52.63 cells/μL, 95% confidence interval [CI, 46.98, 58.28]), 6, 9, and 12 months; Wenshen Jianpi granules for 6 months; Shenling Fuzheng capsules for 6 months (MD 49.53 cells/μL, 95% CI [8.45, 90.61]) and 12 months; Aikeqing granules for 9 months (MD 61.51 cells/μL, 95% CI [16.25, 106.77]) and 12 months; Guipi decoction for 12 months; Mianyi No.2 granules (JT) for 12 and 18 months; and Chinese medicine granules for 18 months. The increase in the mean difference of CD4⁺ cell count from 6 to 18 months was larger in Chinese medicine granules and Mianyi No.2 granules (JT). Guipi decoction and Jianpi Qushi decoction improved the Karnofsky score. Four RCTs reported the outcome of adverse events/effects, while four cases of minor adverse effects were reported in the TGTs group.

Jianpi Yiqi medicinal paste, Wenshen Jianpi granules, Shenling Fuzheng capsules, Aikeqing granules, Guipi decoction, and TGTs may be effective in increasing CD4⁺ within 12 months, and Mianyi No.2 granules (JT) and Chinese medicine granules may show long-term effects. High-quality large RCTs on the effectiveness and safety of CHMs are still warranted.

Qualitative research on therapeutic components is necessary to evaluate the efficacy of complex interventions in healthcare. As few qualitative syntheses have been conducted, this study aimed to derive a new conceptual framework for understanding the components of complex interventions and provide evidence for the implementation and evaluation of complex healthcare interventions.

A systematic search of seven databases was conducted to identify qualitative studies that explored components of complex healthcare interventions. Meta-ethnography was used to analyze the data and thematic analysis was used to build the conceptual framework.

Of the 35 included studies, most complex interventions were non-pharmacological, with cancer accounting for 22%, mental health for 14%, and stroke for 8%. Half of the studies were conducted in the United Kingdom. Three main categories emerged: what should healthcare workers do? what qualifications should they have? and what should patients do? Five main themes were identified: psychological, biological, cognitive and behavioral, environmental, and social support.

This analysis provides a reference for designing components of complex interventions in further studies.