Visiting Professor: Gerhard Litscher

In a rigorously designed randomized controlled trial (RCT), Gerhard Litscher and the team from Prof. Liang Fengxia in Wuhan investigated the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion on the autonomic nervous system using heart rate variability (HRV). The ICMART Award Jury highlighted that the study demonstrated distinct physiological responses: acupuncture produced immediate autonomic effects, while moxibustion provided longer-lasting improvements. The findings underscore the potential for these techniques to pave the way for individualized, patient-specific therapies (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Prof. Gerhard Litscher personally presented the study's findings and future aspects to the international audience, highlighting collaboration with the Wuhan team. The presentation took place in Antibes Juan-les-Pins, Côte d'Azur, France, on November 8, 2025.

The International Council of Medical Acupuncture and Related Techniques (ICMART) is the world's leading umbrella organization for medical acupuncture and related techniques (Figure2). Founded in Vienna, Austria in 1983, it represents around 80 national medical acupuncture associations and over 35,000 practitioners worldwide. The organization is committed to promoting scientific research, standardizing training, and integrating acupuncture into modern medicine. Additionally, it organizes annual international world congresses.

 Figure 2 ICMART connects more than 80 national and regional acupuncture societies globally. The Jury recognized Prof. Litscher's collaboration with China as an exemplary model of global partnership in Acupuncture and Related Techniques. © ICMART (https://icmart.org/).