Trends in contemporary integrative medicine: Challenges and recommendations

Nowadays, humanity is facing the serious dual challenges of chronic non-communicable diseases and emerging infectious diseases. The holism of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and its multi-target and multi-level regulatory effects exhibit distinctive features and advantages in addressing contemporary global health challenges and has become an important component of China's national health strategy. Nevertheless, research paradigms simply based on reductionism are inadequate to address the prevention and treatment of complex diseases caused by multiple factors. The modern interpretation of the holistic theoretical framework of TCM and its scientific connotation requires methodological breakthroughs, and the high-quality evidence system for TCM also needs urgent improvement. Contemporary integration of TCM and Western medicine should uphold the ideological essence of TCM, such as holism and "preventive treatment of disease," making full use of interdisciplinary modern technologies. By seizing the opportunities brought by the rapid development of new technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence, integrative medicine can uphold integrity while promoting innovation, forge ahead, and advance the inheritance and development of integrated TCM and Western medicine. Please cite this article as: Chen KX. Trends in contemporary integrative medicine: Challenges and recommendations. J Integr Med. 2026; Epub ahead of print.