image: The cover combines traditional Chinese cultural imagery with contemporary neuroscience to represent the shared themes of three original research articles in this issue. A Dunhuang flying fairy plays the pipa, vibrating strings transform into musical notes and neuronal forms, symbolically linking music, traditional culture and the nervous system. Surrounding elements depict the therapeutic effects of total saponins from lily bulbs, acupuncture targeting microglial cells and electrical stimulation of spinal neural fibers associated with pain. This cover represents research on analgesia, neuronal sensitization and emotional and cognitive disorders, highlighting the multi-target and multilevel perspective of integrative medicine.
Credit: Journal of Integrative Medicine, All rights reserved.
Shanghai, China—Journal of Integrative Medicine (JIM) is expanding its international science communication efforts through its first appearance on EurekAlert!, providing a new channel for researchers, science journalists and readers around the world to discover research and developments in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), complementary and integrative medicine and related fields.
Founded in 2013, JIM is an international English-language scientific journal dedicated to advancing research and academic exchange in integrative medicine. Over more than a decade of development, the journal has focused on scientific questions involving TCM, integrative medicine and related interdisciplinary areas, publishing high-quality research in basic science, clinical medicine and evidence-based medicine.
Connecting integrative medicine research with the global scientific community
JIM aims to serve as a high-level international platform for scientific evaluation and international academic communication. The journal brings together research addressing fundamental mechanisms, clinical applications, evidence generation and emerging interdisciplinary approaches, while encouraging dialogue between TCM and modern biomedical sciences.
The journal is currently indexed in several major international databases, including SCIE, MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, CAS and JST databases. In 2025, JIM recorded a Journal Impact Factor of 5.2, placing it in JCR Q1, while its Scopus CiteScore reached 8.1. The journal has also been selected for several consecutive years as one of China’s journals with the greatest international influence and was ranked in the Q1 category in the World Journal of Clinical Medicine (WJCI) Report.
Focusing on emerging research frontiers
JIM actively follows emerging scientific and clinical topics in integrative medicine. Recent areas of focus include artificial intelligence in TCM, mechanisms of acupuncture, innovative drug discovery and development in TCM and clinical practice in integrative medicine.
We welcome high-quality contributions from researchers around the world and has attracted submissions from countries and regions including China, the United States, the United Kingdom, India, Japan and Australia. It also invites internationally recognized experts to contribute perspectives, commentaries and editorials addressing important developments and future directions in the field.
Bringing TCM research to a global audience
By publishing in English and leveraging international publishing and communication channels, JIM seeks to make TCM research more accessible to the global scientific community. This includes promoting scientifically rigorous studies that can contribute to understanding TCM within contemporary biomedical and healthcare frameworks.
The journal’s internationalization strategy is supported by resources and collaboration involving Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Science Press and Elsevier’s international publishing platform. JIM is also strengthening international academic collaboration, developing its young editorial board, and organizing academic conferences, special-topic initiatives and scholarly exchange activities.
A new channel for scientific communication
JIM’s arrival on EurekAlert! represents another step in its efforts to communicate research beyond the traditional academic publishing environment.
We will continue to pursue an international, high-quality and distinctive development strategy, with the long-term goal of becoming a leading international journal in integrative medicine with global influence. As the scientific investigation of traditional medicine increasingly intersects with modern technologies, evidence-based healthcare and interdisciplinary research, JIM looks forward to working with researchers, clinicians, editors and science communicators worldwide to advance rigorous research and broaden international understanding of integrative medicine.
About JIM
Journal of Integrative Medicine (JIM) is a peer-reviewed journal sponsored by Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It was used to be known as Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, which was established in 2003 and published in the Chinese language. The Editors-in-Chief are Chang-quan Ling (Naval Medical University, Shanghai) and Guang Ji (Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai).
JIM is an interdisciplinary journal focusing on studies on integrative medicine. It aims to be a leading journal for studies in integrative medicine and to promote communication and integration among traditional medicinal systems, complementary and alternative medicine and Western medicine. JIM publishes manuscripts regarding acupuncture and moxibustion, traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, herbal medicine, homeopathy, nutrition, chiropractic, mind-body medicine, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, meditation and any other modalities of complementary and alternative medicine, as well as their integration with modern medicine. The article types include, but are not limited to review, original research articles, systematic reviews, methodology, editorials, commentaries and letters to the editor.
Contact us
JIM Editorial Office: Room 421, Building 7, No.110 Ganhe Rd., Shanghai 200437, China
E-mail address: jimjournal2013@163.com
Journal website: https://www.sciengine.com/JIntMed/home
Elsevier homepage: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/journal-of-integrative-medicine