Advanced Metrics for Assessing Holistic Care: The "Epidaurus 2" Project

Area of Science:

• Integrative medicine and military health research.
• Development of novel therapeutic monitoring tools.

Background:

• Military traumatic brain injury (TBI) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) necessitate innovative care.
• The US military established holistic care modalities at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (2001-2017).
• Civilian expertise guided these initiatives through the Epidaurus Project.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop advanced, whole-body metrics for guiding holistic therapies in clinical settings.
• To integrate novel measurement techniques into patient care protocols.
• To explore the potential of these metrics for personalized medicine and public health improvement.

Main Methods:

• A national search identified five advanced metrics under the "Epidaurus 2" Project.
• Metrics include genomics, integrated stress biomarkers, language analysis, machine learning, and "Star Glyphs."
• These metrics measure comprehensive therapeutic effects across the entire body.

Main Results:

• Five advanced metrics were identified and developed for measuring whole-body therapeutic effects.
• These metrics are currently used to guide holistic care at Walter Reed.
• The potential for operationalizing personalized care, patient self-management, and public health is demonstrated.

Conclusions:

• The developed metrics enable the scientific integration of holistic therapies with conventional organ-system-based medicine.
• These advancements expand the capabilities of medical practice.
• The metrics hold significant potential for advancing personalized patient care and public health outcomes.