ISO 16843-2:2025

Overview

ISO 16843-2:2025 - "Health informatics - Categorial structures for representation of acupuncture - Part 2: Needling" defines a standardized concept model for representing acupuncture needling (specialized for filiform needles) in health information systems. The standard specifies a set of domain constraints and a concept system that links sanctioned characteristics (semantic links + characterizing categories) to enable consistent, computable representation of needling procedures. This first edition replaces ISO/TS 16843-2:2015 and is part of the ISO 16843 series developed by ISO/TC 215 JWG 1.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Categorial structures: minimal domain constraints required to represent acupuncture needling concepts.
• Concept and category definitions: formal definitions for concepts, categories and characteristics used to describe needling.
• Semantic links: directed associative relations between concepts (with inverses). Examples enumerated include:
  • Measures, Causes, Result of, Evaluation of
  • Co-occurs with, Precedes, Produce, Be applied to
• Characterizing categories specific to needling, such as:
  • Needle grasping, insertion technique, insertion parameters (angle, depth, direction)
  • Needling manipulation, needle withdrawal, needle retaining
  • Supplementation and draining methods (reinforcement/reduction)
  • Additional stimulation methods (e.g., electro-acupuncture)
  • Arrival of qi and acupuncture effect (as defined conceptual characteristics)
• Concept system constraints: each characteristic is constrained by semantic links and applicable characterizing categories to support repeatability and computability.
• No normative references are required; definitions reference standard terminology sources (e.g., ISO Online Browsing Platform).

Applications

• Standardizes representation of needling procedures for:
  • Electronic health records (EHRs) and clinical documentation
  • Terminology systems and controlled vocabularies for acupuncture
  • Clinical trial reporting and meta-analysis where consistent intervention descriptions are required
  • Decision support, data mining, text mining, and database construction for acupuncture literature and historical documents
  • Interoperability and mapping between acupuncture terminologies

Who should use this standard

• Health informatics vendors and terminology developers building acupuncture modules
• Clinicians and acupuncture practitioners documenting needling procedures
• Researchers conducting clinical trials, systematic reviews, or data-driven studies of acupuncture
• Institutions or agencies creating standards-based clinical content or knowledgebases

Related standards and context

• Developed by ISO/TC 215 (Health informatics), JWG 1 - Traditional Chinese Medicine (Informatics)
• Uses terminology approaches consistent with ISO terminology standards (e.g., ISO 17115, ISO 1087) referenced in definitions
• Part of the broader ISO 16843 series for acupuncture representation

Keywords: ISO 16843-2:2025, acupuncture needling, health informatics, categorial structures, semantic links, clinical documentation, terminology systems, electronic health records.