Chinese Pulse Diagnosis in the Evaluation of the Acutely Hospitalized Adult Patient

This clinical study looks at radial pulse findings using Chinese Pulse Diagnosis (CPD) in the diagnostic assessment of the acutely hospitalized adult to verify CPD as a diagnostic tool and more quickly develop a more precise differential diagnosis. Pulse findings collected, blinded initially to patient history, physical exam, diagnosis, or treatment plan for 132 patients, were later compared with the evolving assessment and plan for the patient using the electronic medical record for chart review. Correlations were drawn between different aspects of the pulse and later diagnosed allopathic medical conditions. The neuro psychological rough vibration pulse had the strongest association with psychiatric diagnoses. Gender-related pulse predominance for female/right and male/left pulses was statistically significant. Evaluation of organ systems among pulse findings demonstrated concordance with principal Western diagnoses that did not reach statistical significance due to the lower number of patients in various diagnostic groups.