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Updated: Apr 29, 2026
05:56
Objectification of Tongue Diagnosis in Traditional Medicine, Data Analysis, and Study Application
Published on: April 14, 2023
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Color distribution differences in the tongue in sleep disorder
Chang Jin Jung1, Ji Ho Nam1, Young Ju Jeon1
1Medical Engineering R&D Group, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 461-24 Jeonmin-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-811, Republic of Korea.
Summary
Tongue appearance in elderly individuals with sleep disorders suggests a deficiency in qi and blood, according to traditional East Asian medicine (TEAM) principles. This study analyzed tongue images to identify these subtle health indicators.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Traditional East Asian Medicine (TEAM)
- Geriatric Health
Background:
- Traditional East Asian Medicine (TEAM) posits that the tongue reflects the body's qi and blood status.
- Investigating subtle health indicators in individuals without overt disease is crucial for preventative care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the relationship between tongue characteristics and qi and blood conditions in elderly individuals experiencing no apparent disease.
- To determine if tongue diagnostics can identify underlying imbalances associated with sleep disorders.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 454 elderly participants without apparent disease.
- Classified participants into normal (n=402) and sleep disorder (n=52) groups.
- Utilized two-dimensional color histograms from tongue images (CIELAB color space) for analysis.
Main Results:
- Tongue bodies in the sleep disorder group were paler than in the normal group.
- Tongue coating distribution differed significantly between normal and sleep disorder groups.
- Observed tongue color differences between groups were consistent across repeated measurements.
Conclusions:
- Tongue states observed in the sleep disorder group are indicative of qi and blood deficiency, aligning with TEAM theory.
- Tongue diagnostics may serve as a non-invasive method to assess internal imbalances in elderly populations.
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