[Challenges and enlightenments of SPARC program on acupuncture and moxibustion researches in China]

The advantages of western medical research were analyzed and the differences between skin nerve stimulation in western medicine and acupuncture-moxibustion in TCM were compared, so as to inspire the scientific researches of acupuncture and moxibustion in China. The related literature was searched and the research basis, content and achievements of the American stimulating peripheral activity to relief condition (SPARC) program were systematically summarized. From the perspectives of theoretical system, stimulation site, stimulation method and mechanism of action, the similarities and differences between skin nerve stimulation in western medicine and acupuncture-moxibustion in TCM were compared. Through comparative analysis, it is found that the systematic construction of SPARC "high-resolution neural circuit map" is essentially the upgraded version of the traditional distribution map of meridians and acupoints in China, which is similar to the research on origin of nervous system and stimulation site of acupuncture-moxibustion of TCM. Under the impact of "localization of traditional Chinese medicine" in other countries, learning from the international advanced research technology, gathering top-level talents, and encouraging openness and innovation will be the necessary pathway to improve the quality of acupuncture-moxibustion research and master the power of knowledge initiative.