Integrative & Complementary Medicine (ICM)

Section Information

Integrative and Complementary Medicine focuses on health practices and therapeutic approaches that combine conventional medical treatments with evidence-based complementary therapies. The field aims to support holistic patient care by addressing physical, psychological, and lifestyle factors in disease prevention and treatment.

Current research includes herbal medicine, mind–body therapies, acupuncture, nutritional interventions, traditional medical systems, and patient-centered care models. Advances in clinical trials, safety evaluation, bioactive compound analysis, and integrative health frameworks are improving the scientific understanding of complementary therapies.

This section publishes clinical studies, systematic reviews, laboratory investigations, practice evaluations, and policy analyses related to integrative healthcare approaches and complementary treatment strategies.

Scope

Herbal and Natural Products Research

• Medicinal plant studies and phytochemistry
• Standardization and quality control of herbal products
• Safety and toxicity evaluation
• Herb–drug interactions

Mind–Body and Behavioral Therapies

• Meditation and stress reduction techniques
• Yoga and movement-based therapies
• Cognitive and behavioral interventions
• Psychological wellbeing and resilience

Traditional and Cultural Medical Systems

• Traditional Chinese medicine
• Ayurvedic medicine
• Indigenous healing practices
• Comparative analysis of traditional systems

Acupuncture and Manual Therapies

• Acupuncture mechanisms and clinical outcomes
• Chiropractic and osteopathic techniques
• Massage therapy research
• Pain management strategies

Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine

• Diet-based interventions
• Functional foods and supplementation
• Preventive health strategies
• Lifestyle modification programs

Clinical Research and Evidence Evaluation

• Randomized controlled trials in complementary medicine
• Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
• Outcome measurement and patient-reported outcomes
• Health services research in integrative care

Policy, Regulation, and Ethics

• Regulatory frameworks for complementary therapies
• Ethical considerations in integrative practice
• Integration of complementary medicine in healthcare systems
• Public health implications

Editorial Board

Click here to see the Section Editorial Board of “Integrative & Complementary Medicine (ICM)”.

Papers Published

Click here to see a list of 2 papers published in this section.