Table 1.

Theoretical Frameworks Used for Acupuncture-Specific Diagnosis

Traditional acupuncture diagnosis	Frequency (n = 160), n (%)
Overall theoretical framework
Zang–Fu syndromes	139 (86.9)
Fundamental substances	117 (73.1)
Eight principles	94 (58.8)
Pathogenic factors	36 (22.5)
Eight extravessels	17 (10.6)
Four levels	4 (2.5)
Six divisions	3 (1.9)
Five elements	3 (1.9)
Other	3 (1.9)
Eight-principle diagnosis
Mixed internal and external	86 (53.8)
Predominantly external	41 (25.6)
Predominantly internal	33 (20.6)
Zang–Fu syndrome clusters
Liver cluster: Liver Qi Stagnation, Liver Yin Xu, Liver Yang Rising and Liver Fire	84 (52.5)
Spleen cluster: Spleen Qi and Yang Xu, Kidney Yang Xu, and Internal Damp	53 (33.1)
Neither of the above two clusters	2 (1.5)