Network analysis of traditional Chinese medicine constitutions and psychological symptoms

Abstract:

Objective To conduct a network analysis of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） constitutions and psychological symptoms，construct a network analysis diagram of the two factors，explore the relationship between constitutions and psychological symptoms，as well as the differences in network structures between sexes，aiming to provide a basis for early prevention and treatment of clinical psychological disorders.Methods An online survey was used to collect the TCM constitutions and psychological symptoms of the participants. The data were analyzed and a network model was constructed using qgraph in R（Version 4.3.1）. The graphical lasso was used to simplify the network. The network stability was assessed using bootnet. NetworkComparisonTest was utilized to compare the network analyses between different sexes.Results Qi deficiency，Yin deficiency，and phlegm dampness were constitutions with high centrality in the network，while interpersonal sensitivity，anxiety，depression，and obsessive-compulsion were psychological symptoms with high centrality. The network demonstrated acceptable stability，with a strength centrality stability of 0.75，a closeness centrality stability of 0.67，and a betweenness centrality stability of 0.28. No significant differences were found in the network of TCM constitutions and psychological symptoms between different sexes.Conclusions The networks of TCM constitutions and psychological symptoms are similar across different sexes. Within this network，Qi deficiency，Yin deficiency，and phlegm dampness are constitutions with high centrality correlated with psychological symptoms. In the early screening for psychological problems，regulations targeting patients’ constitutions can achieve preventive treatment.