Research Article

The Pattern Element Scale: A Brief Tool of Traditional Medical Subtyping for Dementia

Table 6


NumberPattern element Clinical feature itemWeight score

Limp and aching lumbar5
Urinary incontinence 5
Deafness 4
1Kidney deficiencySexual hypoactivity4
Frequent micturition with clear urine3
Dizziness and tinnitus2
Thready and weak pulse1
Total24

Decrease of diet and anorexia/reduced appetite4.5
Involuntary drooling4
Sloppy stool3.5
2Spleen deficiencyWeakness of four extremities3
Decrease of diet and abdominal distension3
Pale tongue with indentation on margin3
Slow pulse2
Total23

Shortage of breath and disinclination of talking5
Spontaneous perspiration5
Palpitation4
3Qi deficiencyHypodynamia 3
White and lusterless complexion3
Hyperarousal and timidity2
Thready pulse2
Total24

Sallow complexion5
Pale tongue and lip4
Dizziness3.5
4Blood deficiencyPalpitation 3
Ennui and hypodynamia 2
Numbness of extremities2
Thready pulse2
Total21.5

Red and dry tongue5
Thin tongue fur4.5
Dry eyes4.5
5Yin deficiencyEmaciation 4.5
Thready and rapid pulse3
Dry stool3
Night sweat3
Total27.5

Chilly 5
Cold limbs4
Diarrhea almost every morning around three to five o’clock4.5
6Yang deficiencyDifficulty in micturition3.5
Blue and purple lip or nail3
Pale tongue with watery tongue fur3
Weak and sunken pulse2
Total25

Dysbasia5.5
Drumble/bradyphagia5
Aching limbs and tibia 5
7Marrow deficiencyLoss of tooth/teeth 4.5
Thin pale tongue 3.5
Dry and withered hair3.5
Somnolence2
Total29

Irritable mood and irascibility 5.5
Dizziness and vertigo5
Tremoring tongue4.5
8Yang hyperactivitySubsultus tendinum or jumping of muscle4
Tinnitus with a loud wavelike sound4
Headache4
Wiry pulse/stringy pulse3
Total30

Halitosis 5
Yellow tongue fur5
Red complexion 4
9Endogenous heatRed tongue4
Constipation with dry stool2.5
Bitter taste in mouth2
Rapid pulse2
Total24.5

Excessive phlegm 5
Greasy and turbid tongue fur 3
Enlarged tongue2.5
10Phlegm muddinessNausea 3
Distension and fullness in chest and stomach 3
Slippery pulse3
Dizziness and demented/madness2
Total21.5

Petechia in tongue6
Dark purple tongue5
Absurd and bizarre thoughts4
11Blood stasisDark purple lip 3.5
Grayish complexion3.5
Stabbing pain or oppressive pain3
Rough pulse2
Total27