Hiroshi ODAGUCHIChief, EBM Center, Oriental Medicine Research Center, Kitasato Univ.

Kampo finding is the basis of diagnosis and prognosis in Kampo medicine (Japanese traditional medicine). However, it is unlikely that all Kampo practitioners will agree on one conclusion with regard to the standardization of Kampo findings. In addition, the relationship of Kampo finding with the present and future health condition of patients has not yet been evaluated in detail. In order to deal with these issues comprehensively, we have started a new project, “Kitasato Kampo Finding Project.”

Firstly, we organized a project team consisting of 9 Kampo specialists (including 6 supervisory doctors) to standardize the methods for examining Kampo findings. The standardization was based on descriptions in classical textbooks as far as possible. We also considered the acceptability and simplicity. I will show you the results of verbal standardization on the presentation day. I will also show the necessity of real standardization based on the results of reliability test on Kampo findings.

Secondly, we planned a prospective observational study aiming to clarify the relationship of Kampo finding with the present and future health condition of elderly people. We collected a large variety of medical information, including Kampo findings, from 567 subjects last year. We are planning to conduct follow-up survey on their health state at least 10 years.