OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine is an international peer-reviewed Open Access journal published quarterly online by LIDSEN Publishing Inc. It covers all evidence-based scientific studies on integrative, alternative and complementary approaches to improving health and wellness.

Topics contain but are not limited to:

  • Acupuncture
  • Acupressure
  • Acupotomy
  • Bioelectromagnetics applications
  • Pharmacological and biological treatments including their efficacy and safety
  • Diet, nutrition and lifestyle changes
  • Herbal medicine
  • Homeopathy
  • Manual healing methods (e.g., massage, physical therapy)
  • Kinesiology
  • Mind/body interventions
  • Preventive medicine
  • Research in integrative medicine
  • Education in integrative medicine
  • Related policies

The journal publishes a variety of article types: Original Research, Review, Communication, Opinion, Comment, Conference Report, Technical Note, Book Review, etc.

There is no restriction on paper length, provided that the text is concise and comprehensive. Authors should present their results in as much detail as possible, as reviewers are encouraged to emphasize scientific rigor and reproducibility.

Publication Speed (median values for papers published in 2023): Submission to First Decision: 5.9 weeks; Submission to Acceptance: 14.7 weeks; Acceptance to Publication: 8 days (1-2 days of FREE language polishing included)

Special Issue

Evidence-based Practice in Complementary Medicine

Submission Deadline: October 15, 2025 (Open) Submit Now

Guest Editors

Sok Cheon Pak, PhD

School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Panorama Avenue, BATHURST NSW 2795, Australia

Website | E-Mail

Research interests: Honeybee venom; Evidence-based practice; Signaling pathway; Integrative therapeutics

Soo Liang Ooi

School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Panorama Avenue, BATHURST NSW 2795, Australia

Website | E-Mail

Research interests: Complementary therapies; Nutrition; Naturopathy; Microbiome

About This Topic

Complementary medicine (CM), as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), refers to a broad set of health care practices that are not part of a country’s conventional medicine and are not fully integrated into the dominant healthcare system. Examples of CM may include but not limited to herbal medicine, nutritional supplements, homeopathy, and forms of treatment such as massage, energy healing, and body-mind intervention. Some CM practice, such as Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, has a long history of use with established theories, beliefs, and experiences indigenous to a specific culture. Hence, the term CM is also used interchangeably with traditional medicine in some countries. Growingly, CM is recognized as an underestimated health resource, especially in preventing and managing lifestyle-related chronic diseases and meeting the health needs of aging populations. However, unlike the mainstream conventional healthcare that emphasizes the conscientious, judicious and reasonable use of best available scientific evidence for patient care, many forms of CM are criticized for the lack of scientific or medical evidence for their applications and health claims. Some may also cause unsafe or harmful side effects which are not known. Consequently, WHO has advocated the rational use of CM by promoting its evidence-based practice. To this end, there is now a global trend to develop the research expertise in CM and strengthen the evidence base for policy and decision making. This special issue provides an open forum for researchers to share their research findings in any aspect of CM. Results from human clinical trials are particularly welcome. We also encourage clinicians and health practitioners to share their use of evidence in CM practice or its lack. The paradigm, framework, or experience of integrating CM into conventional healthcare practice based on evidence is also a topic of interest. Contributions can be in any form, including letters to the editor, original research, case reports, and reviews.

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted through the LIDSEN Submission System. Detailed information on manuscript preparation and submission is available in the Instructions for Authors. All submitted articles will be thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process and will be processed following the Editorial Process and Quality Control policy. Upon acceptance, the article will be immediately published in a regular issue of the journal and will be listed together on the special issue website, with a label that the article belongs to the Special Issue. LIDSEN distributes articles under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) License in an open-access model. The authors own the copyright to the article, and the article can be free to access, distribute, and reuse provided that the original work is correctly cited.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). Research articles and review articles are highly invited. Authors are encouraged to send the tentative title and abstract of the planned paper to the Editorial Office (icm@lidsen.com) for record. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Editorial Office.

Welcome your submission!

Publication

Open Access Review

Religious and Traditional Fasting May Be an Alternative Method to Tackle Global Health Threats and the Epidemic of Obesity

Received: 01 June 2024;  Published: 24 September 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2403055

Abstract

Intermittent fasting practices, recommended as a potential nutritional approach against obesity and metabolic diseases, have become increasingly widespread in recent years. Although convincing data on the anti-obesity and cardio-metabolic benefits of intermittent fasting are obtained mostly from experimental studies, religious [...]
Open Access Original Research

Modified Jade Wind-Barrier Formula (MJWB) for Preventing Common Cold in Elderly with Qi-deficiency Constitution: A Controlled Trial

Received: 04 December 2023;  Published: 06 March 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2401018

Abstract

The modified Jade Wind-Barrier formula (MJWB) may prevent the common cold in the elderly with a Qi-deficiency Constitution. Previously, no controlled trial evidence existed to illuminate the concept of “preventive treatment of disease” as outlined in the constitution theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine. This theory distinctly suggests [...]
Open Access Original Research

Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Use of Complementary and Integrative Health Therapies for Veterans with Opioid Use Disorder in the Veterans Health Administration

Received: 20 December 2023;  Published: 31 January 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2401012

Abstract

The Veterans Health Administration (VA) offers complementary and integrative health (CIH) therapies to Veterans with chronic pain and opioid use disorder (OUD). While CIH therapies have known benefits for chronic pain, less research exists on its use for patients with OUD. In this qualitative study, we aimed to assess provider [...]
Open Access Review

Complementary Medicine and Expressive Arts Therapy: Adjuvant for Recovery Following Neurosurgical Procedures

Received: 12 October 2022;  Published: 17 January 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2301007

Abstract

Art as a way of healing is primordial in many cultures. Expressive Arts Therapy (ExAT) uses art, music, dance, and writing to help individuals navigate their healing journey. Patient self-expression as a mode of recovery has been observed in patients with Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and cancer. Compleme [...]
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