How to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Treatment?

How to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Treatment in TCM

Evaluating the effectiveness of treatment in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) differs significantly from Western medicine. While Western medicine often relies on diagnostic metrics and test results, TCM places a greater emphasis on the patient’s subjective experience and improvements observed through tongue diagnosis, pulse diagnosis, and abdominal diagnosis. In my practice, I primarily use TCM standards to assess treatment efficacy, occasionally referencing Western medical indicators when necessary.

For example, I frequently check the patient’s pulse and inquire if they have had a cold recently. Many patients might mention a cold one or two weeks ago, or even two months prior, believing they have fully recovered. However, pulse diagnosis might indicate that the cold has not entirely cleared, necessitating further treatment. This example illustrates that from the physician’s perspective, the effectiveness of treatment can often be clearly assessed and communicated to the patient.

However, it is also crucial for patients to understand how to evaluate their own treatment progress, especially for complex conditions requiring 2-3 months of therapy. Here are a few simple criteria for patients to consider:

1. Symptom Improvement: The most direct indicator is the noticeable alleviation of the primary symptoms, such as reduced headaches or tinnitus, or improved test results in Western medical diagnostics.
2. Overall Health Improvement: Sometimes, the primary symptoms might not show significant change (a common scenario in chronic conditions like stroke aftereffects or skin diseases), but there are evident improvements in general health. These improvements might include better sleep, increased energy, improved complexion, and more regular bowel movements, indicating the body is positively responding to treatment. Given time, the primary symptoms may also resolve.
3. Stable Condition with No Deterioration: In some cases, neither the primary symptoms nor general health show marked improvement, yet there is no noticeable decline either. Occasional fluctuations might occur, but the patient’s overall condition remains stable. This situation can be challenging to assess—it might indicate ineffective treatment or a phase where the disease is in a standoff between the body’s defenses and the illness. Patience and continued treatment might be necessary until a breakthrough is achieved. Ultimately, the decision to continue treatment in this scenario lies with the patient.
4. Delayed Improvement: Another common occurrence is reaching a treatment plateau where symptoms improve by only 30-40% during the treatment period, but the patient notices significant improvements after the treatment has concluded. This can be likened to lifting a heavy 100-kilogram stone off a person—initial treatment might remove 30 kilograms, reducing the burden to 70 kilograms. As the pressure eases, the individual gradually gains the strength to push away the remaining weight independently.

In summary, evaluating the effectiveness of treatment in TCM involves multiple angles: the degree of symptom relief, changes in Western medical indicators, and overall improvements in health. However, understanding and analyzing specific circumstances during treatment is essential to avoid premature cessation of therapy, which could lead to missed opportunities for full recovery. Patience and thorough evaluation are key to achieving the best outcomes.