Clinical Application Analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicine Constitution Theory in the Prevention and Treatment of Pulmonary Nodules

Abstract

This study aimed to systematically review the current status of clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitutional regulation in the management of pulmonary nodules, and to provide evidence-based references for integrative medicine prevention and treatment.

Relevant literature from January 2020 to November 2025 was retrieved from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang Data databases. After layered screening, 60 eligible articles were ultimately included for analysis.

The predominant constitutional types among patients with pulmonary nodules were unbalanced constitutions, including qi deficiency, yang deficiency, qi stagnation, and phlegm–dampness. These unbalanced constitutions constitute the key intrinsic pathological basis for the occurrence, progression, and outcome of pulmonary nodules. Constitutional intervention is central to the principles of “preventing disease before its onset” and “preventing disease from progressing.” Constitutional identification is primarily performed using the Classification and Determination of TCM Constitutions Scale, combined with the four diagnostic methods of TCM, modern detection techniques, and microbiological indicators, to continuously refine the objective and standardized identification process. Interventions that adopt a model of “precise constitutional regulation plus general health guidance” have been integrated into the entire course of pulmonary nodule management and have formed a multidimensional outcome evaluation system.

Constitutional regulation can achieve the goals of prevention, control, and rehabilitation by improving the “internal environment” of nodules. Future efforts should focus on enhancing the standardization of identification, precision of protocols, and normalization of pathways to promote their deep application and broader adoption.