Key Centre activities

• Commendation, STEM College Research Team Awards – China-Australia International Research Centre for Chinese Medicine (CAIRCCM), RMIT University

• Monograph publication:
  • English-language: all (29) English-language monographs completed.
  • Chinese-language: Eleven Chinese-language monographs completed/published; 12 under review/revision; six pending completion/publication.
• Monograph evidence updates:
  • Twenty-two English-language evidence updates finalised and sent to the publisher; seven on hold due to insufficient new evidence (post-stroke shoulder complications; irritable bowel syndrome; chronic cough; rheumatoid arthritis; overweight and obesity in adults; endometriosis; and cervical radiculopathy).
• Monograph evidence summaries:
  • Nineteen English-language evidence summaries finalised and published online; three written and to be finalised for publication (vascular dementia; cancer pain; and rhinosinusitis); seven to complete in 2025 (colorectal cancer; irritable bowel syndrome; chronic cough; type 2 diabetes mellitus; rheumatoid arthritis; overweight and obesity in adults; and cervical radiculopathy).

• The final of the 29 English-language monographs were published.
• Eleven Chinese-language monographs were published and 16 are in production.

• The Centre published three more monographs, bringing the total to 26 published monographs (English language versions). The final three were near completion and expected to all be published/ready to be published by start 2023.

The Centre completed 11 English-language evidence updates, bringing the total completed to 22. These will be published in batches in 2024.​ Completed: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, psoriasis vulgaris, chronic urticaria, adult asthma, allergic rhinitis, herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia, insomnia, Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, diabetic kidney disease, acne vulgaris, post-stroke spasticity, unipolar depression, chronic heart failure, atopic dermatitis, colorectal cancer, cancer pain, type 2 diabetes mellitus, urinary tract infection, migraine, menopause, and rhinosinusitis.

• The Centre completed 11 evidence updates on Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, cancer pain, colorectal cancer, diabetic kidney disease, insomnia, herpes zoster/post-herpetic neuralgia, acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and chronic urticaria.​
• Six more evidence updates were underway: allergic rhinitis, post-stroke spasticity, post-stroke shoulder complications, depression, asthma and COPD.

The Centre completed 15 English-language evidence summaries, bringing the total completed to 19. These will be published online in batches in 2024. Completed: psoriasis vulgaris, chronic urticaria, adult asthma, allergic rhinitis, herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia, insomnia, Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, diabetic kidney disease, acne vulgaris, post-stroke spasticity, unipolar depression, chronic heart failure, atopic dermatitis, cancer pain, urinary tract infection, migraine, menopause, and rhinosinusitis.

• The Centre completed four evidence summaries: Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, herpes zoster/post-herpetic neuralgia and acne.
• Seven more evidence summaries were underway: psoriasis, allergic rhinitis, post-stroke spasticity, post-stroke shoulder complications, diabetic kidney disease, cancer pain and colorectal cancer. 

• Liu M, Di YM, Zhang AL, Chen J, Wang R, Huang J, Zhang L, Xue CCL. Renal-protective effects of Chinese medicinal herbs and compounds for diabetic kidney disease in animal models: protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis. Syst Rev. 2024 Jan;13:23. doi.org/10.1186/s13643-023-02446-4
• Lyu S, Zhang CS, Zhang AL, Guo X, Hua R, Mao Z, Su Q, Xue CCL, Sun J. Real-world observations and impacts of Chinese herbal medicine for migraine: results of a registry-based cohort study. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2024 Feb;15:1330589. doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2024.1330589
• Liu L, Zhang CS, Zhang AL, Cai Y, Xue CCL. The efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine for mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2024 Feb;15. doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2024.1341074
• Liu M, Di YM, Zhang L, Yang L, Zhang L, Chen J, Wang R, Xie X, Lan F, Xie L, Huang J, Zhang AL, Xue CCL, Liu X. Oral Granulated Chinese Herbal Medicine plus Usual Care for Diabetic Kidney Disease: Study Protocol for A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Trial. Front Endocrinol. 2024 Feb;15:1334609. doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2024.1334609
• Wang J, Zhang CS, Zhang AL, Yu J, Deng H, Chen H, Xue CC, Lu C. Add-on effects of Chinese herbal medicine external application (FZHFZY) to topical urea for mild-to-moderate psoriasis vulgaris: Protocol for a double-blinded randomized controlled pilot trial embedded with a qualitative study. PLoS One. 2024 Mar;19(3):e0297834. doi.org/0.1371/journal.pone.0297834
• Wang J, Zhang CS, Zhang AL, Chen H, Xue CC, Lu C. Adding Chinese herbal medicine bath therapy to conventional therapies for psoriasis vulgaris: A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Phytomedicine. 2024 June;128:155381. doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155381
• Liu M, Di YM, May B, Zhang AL, Zhang L, Chen J, Wang R, Liu X, Xue CCL. Renal protective effects and mechanisms of Astragalus membranaceus for diabetic kidney disease in animal models: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Phytomedicine. 2024 July;155646. doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155646
• Wang J, Zhang CS, Zhang AL, Xue CCL, Lu C. Chinese herbal medicine bath therapy for psoriasis vulgaris using topical calcipotriol as the comparator: A systematic review with meta-analysis and association rule analysis. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2024 Aug;330:118166. doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2024.118166
• Liu L, Zhang CS, Zhang AL, Cai Y, Xue CCL. Oral Chinese herbal medicine combined with donepezil for mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2024 Aug;1-13. doi.org/10.1111/jgs.19125
• Xue CCL, Zhang AL, May B, Pobjoy L, Zhou I. Evidence-based clinical Chinese medicine: what has changed over the past 20 years. Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2024 Oct;41(10):2557–2571. doi.org/10.13359/j.cnki.gzxbtcm.2024.10.007

• Pang J, Shergis JL, Zheng L, Liu S, Guo XF, Zhang AL, Lin L, Xue CCL, Wu L. Clinical evidence for acupuncture for adult asthma: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised sham/placebo-controlled trials. Complement Ther Med. 2023 Aug;75:102956. doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2023.102956
• Wang YX, Coyle ME, Hong MW, He S, Zhang AL, Guo XF, Lu CJ, Xue CCL, Liang X. Acupuncture and moxibustion for endometriosis: A systematic review and analysis. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2023 Sept;76:102963. doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2023.102963
• Cheng Y, Di YM, Zhang AL, Hu P, Mo J, Zhang H, Xue CCL, Zhang, B. Does Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) reduce colorectal adenoma (CRA) recurrence: protocol of a registry-based, cohort study and a qualitative interview. BMJ Open. 2023 Oct;13:e073969. doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-073969
• Cheng Y, Di YM, Zhang AL, Zhang B, Xue CC. Oral Chinese herbal medicine in reducing the recurrence of colorectal adenoma after polypectomy: A protocol for the systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE. 2023 Oct;18(10):e0293244. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0293244
• Cui J, Lin W, May BH, Luo Q, Worsnop C, Zhang AL, Guo X, Lu C, Yunying Li, Xue CCL. Orally administered Chinese herbal therapy to assist post-surgical recovery for chronic rhinosinusitis—A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE. 2023 Oct;18(10):e0292138. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0292138
• Guo QQ, Zhang AL, Xue CCL, Coyle ME, Chen QJ. A Delphi study of Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation and herbal use for early breast cancer. Integr Cancer Ther. 2023 Oct;22:Article 15347354231204008. doi.org/10.1177/15347354231204008
• Liu Y, May BH, Hyde AJ, He Y, Guo X, Zhang AL, Lu C, Xue CC, Zhang H. Topical Traditional Chinese Medicines for Cancer Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Integr Cancer Ther. 2023 Nov;22:15347354231210870. doi.org/10.1177/15347354231210870

• Chen J, Shergis JL, Guo X, Zhang AL, Wang H, Lu C, Xue CC, Xie C. Acupuncture Therapies for Individuals with Overweight or Obesity: An Overview of Systematic Reviews. Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy. 2022 Mar;15:1651–66. doi.org/10.2147/dmso.s356853
• Lyu S, Zhang CS, Zhang AL, Sun J, Xue CC, Guo X. Migraine Patients Visiting Chinese Medicine Hospital: Protocol for a Prospective, Registry-Based, Real-World Observational Cohort Study. PLOS ONE. 2022 Mar;17(3):e0265137. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0265137
• He Y, Zhang H, Li Y, Long S, Xiao S, May BH, Zhang AL, Guo X, Xue CC, Lu C. Acupuncture Combined with Opioids for Cancer Pain: A Pilot Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial. Acupuncture in Medicine. 2022 Apr;40(2):133–41. doi.org/10.1177/09645284211056016
• Guo Q, Coyle ME, Zhang AL, Xue X, Bian W, Song A, Xie X, Hong R, Lyu G, Liu L, Chen Q, Xue CC. Chinese Medicine Syndrome Differentiation for Early Breast Cancer: A Multicenter Prospective Clinical Study. Front Oncol. 2022 Jul;12:914805. doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2022.914805
• Lyu S, Zhang CS, Guo X, Zhang AL, Sun J, Chen G, Xue CC, Luo X. Efficacy and Safety of Oral Chinese Herbal Medicine for Migraine: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses Using Robust Variance Estimation Model. Front Neurol. 2022 Jul;13. doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2022.889336
• Li M, Zhou IW, Trevillyan J, Hearps AC, Zhang AL, Jaworowski A. Effects and Safety of Chinese Herbal Medicine on Inflammatory Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2022 Aug;9. doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2022.922497
• Zhang CS, Lyu S, Zhang AL, Guo X, Sun J, Lu C, Luo X, Xue CC. Natural products for migraine: Data-mining analyses of Chinese Medicine classical literature. Front Pharmacol. 2022 Oct;13:995559. Sec. Ethnopharmacology. doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.995559
• Lyu S, Zhang CS, Sun J, Weng H, Xue CC, Guo X, Zhang AL. Chinese herbal medicine for migraine management: A hospital-based retrospective analysis of electronic medical records. Front Med. 2022 Nov;9:936234. doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.936234
• Cai Y, Zhang CS, Liu S, Zhou L, Tang B, Chen W. Acupuncture for premature ventricular complexes without ischemic or structural heart diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical and pre-clinical evidence. Front Med. 2022 Dec;9:1019051. doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.1019051
• Cui J, Lin W, May BH, Luo Q, Worsnop C, Zhang AL, Guo X, Lu C, Li Y, Xue CC. Chinese herbal therapy in the management of rhinosinusitis—A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE. 2022 Dec;17(12):e0278492. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0278492
• Di YM, Sun L, Lu C, Guo XF, Tang X, Zhang AL, Fan G, Xue CC. Benefits of herbal formulae containing Poria cocos (Fuling) for type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE. 2022 Dec;17(12):e0278536. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0278536

Conference/Seminar participation:

• Centre staff presented at and/or attended various international and domestic scientific conferences/seminars related to evidence-based medicine, including:
  • Siriaj Traditional Medicine Conference, 5–6 August 2024, Bangkok, Thailand
  • Hong Kong Hospital Authority Conference, July 2024, Hong Kong
  • WHO WPRO, 28–29 August 2024, Seoul, Republic of Korea
  • International Cooperation to Promote Research and Translation in Evidence-based Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region “Belt and Road” Summit Forum, June 2024
  • Whole Evidence Method to Aid in the Production and Translation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Evidence, Tianjin, 3rd Tuanbo Lake Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine Forum, October 2024
  • China Integrative Medicine Society Information Branch, August 2024, Guangzhou, Zhang La
  • 22nd Clinical Epidemiology and Evidence-based Medicine Academic Conference, Chinese Medical Association, August 2024, Chengdu
  • China Ethnomedicine Society Evidence-based Medicine Branch 2024 Annual Meeting, June 2024, Xinjiang
  • 7th China Traditional Chinese Medicine Association Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine Respiratory Health Conference, August 2024, Chengdu
  • Advances in Evidence-based Medicine and Clinical Research of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Cerebral Diseases, November 2024, Guangzhou
  • China Ethnomedicine Society Minority Medicine Evidence-based Medicine Training Course, September 2024, Guangzhou
  • China Integrative Medicine Society Evidence-based Medicine Professional Committee Youth Round Table Salon, July 2024, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
• PhD students attended several national and international conferences and seminars, including ASN Kidney Week, 24–27 October 2024.

Videos:

• Two videos promoting evidence-based Chinese medicine for health conditions were produced and published on YouTube and the RMIT website: one for Alzheimer’s disease and one for atopic dermatitis. 

Conference/Seminar participation

• Centre staff attended several scientific conferences, including:
  • Invited Keynote Speakers, The 90th Anniversary International Academic Exchange Event of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 18 May 2023; Distinguished Professor Charlie Xue and Professor Tony Zhang
  • Keynote Speaker, Guangxi Chinese Medicine, Zhuang Medicine, and Yao Medicine Evidence Capacity Enhancement Training Course, Nanning, May 2023; Liu Shaonan
  • Invited Keynote Speaker, The International Symposium Drug Discovery and Clinical Practice at Chinese University of Hong Kong, July 2023; Distinguished Professor Charlie Xue
  • Invited Keynote Speaker, The First Global Traditional Medicine Submit as part of G20, 2023 Event in India, August 2023; Distinguished Professor Charlie Xue
  • Keynote Speaker, Annual Meeting of China Association of Integrative Medicine, Beijing, August 2023; Professor Guo Xinfeng
  • Keynote Speaker, Evidence-Based Annual Meeting of China Association of Integrative Medicine, Beijing, August 2023; Liu Shaonan
  • The 2nd World Congress on Integrative Medicine & Health (WCIMH), Rome, September 2023； Distinguished Professor Charlie Xue, Professor Tony Zhang, Professor Guo Xinfeng, Liu Shaonan
  • Keynote Speaker, The 5th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Biopharmaceutical Innovation Summit Forum, Guangzhou, Guangzhou, 8 November 2023; Professor Guo Xinfeng
  • Keynote Speaker, Academic Annual Meeting of China Ethnic Medicine Association, Guangzhou, November 2023; Liu Shaonan
  • Keynote Speaker, Southern Integrative Cardiovascular Forum, November 2023; Yang Lihong
  • Keynote Speaker, Annual Meeting of Clinical Research Branch of China Association of Chinese Medicine Information, Shenzhen, 25 November 2023; Professor Guo Xinfeng.
• Centre staff attended several seminars, including:
  • Evidence-Based Medicine and the Evaluation of Chinese Medicine Efficacy, June 2023; Professor Guo Xinfeng
  • Evidence-Based Medicine and the Efficacy Evaluation of Tibetan Medicine Bath, July 2023; Professor Guo Xinfeng
  • Key Points in Cohort Study Design and Progress in Orthopedic Special Disease Cohort Research, August 2023; Yang Lihong
  • Chinese Medicine Clinical Practice Guidelines, October 2023; Yang Lihong
  • Whole-Evidence Method Supports the Development of Ethnic Medicine, November 2023; Liu Shaonan
  • Evidence Resource Retrieval, December 2023; Liu Shaonan
  • Key Links in Clinical Research Enrolment and Follow-Up, December 2023; Yang Lihong.
• PhD students attended/presented at several conferences and symposiums, including:
  • Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre Northern’s Brightest Stars-Student Symposium
  • Research Symposium for Chinese PhD students and scholars in Australia
  • Academic Conference on Clinical Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Real World Research Committee, World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies

Seminars and videos

• The Centre ran three bilingual (English and Chinese) seminars:
  • Cancer pain, Sunday 30 July
  • Depression, Sunday 24 September
  • Psoriasis vulgaris, Sunday 26 November.
•  Work began on the first two videos promoting the monographs.

• On 2 October 2022, the Centre ran a Chinese medicine seminar: ‘Evidence-based medicine: allergic rhinitis’ in English and Chinese languages.
• In 2022, the Centre completed one podcast on Alzheimer’s disease. 

• Eleven PhD students enrolled (five new students asterixed):
  • Yi Cheng
  • Jing Cui
  • Lingling Liu
  • Meifang Liu
  • Wan-Jung Cheng
  • Junyue Wang (submitted thesis in January 2025)
  • *Kaixin Gao (started in December 2024)
  • *Anyi Lu (started in December 2024)
  • *Cuixia Xiao (started in December 2024)
  • *Jingmin Xiao (started in January 2025)
  • *Shanshan Ling

• One PhD student graduated in 2023
• PhD students enrolled:
  • Shaohua Lyu (thesis submitted in 2023, completed in 2024)
  • Jing Cui
  • Junyue Wang
  • Lingling Liu
  • Meifang Liu
  • Yi Cheng

• One PhD student graduated and seven were enrolled.
• PhD students:​
  • Qianqian Guo
  • Shaohua Lyu
  • Jing Cui
  • Junyue Wang
  • Lingling Liu
  • Meifang Liu
  • Yi Cheng