Leveraging DeepSeek: An AI-Powered Exploration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Tai Chi and Qigong) for Medical Research
Robert W McGee
Abstract
This study explores the use of DeepSeek, an advanced artificial intelligence system, in conducting medical research on tai chi and qigong, two ancient practices rooted in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).DeepSeek was tasked with writing essays that identify and discuss cases where tai chi or qigong have been applied as treatments for various ailments and diseases.The first assignment focused on baduanjin, the most widely studied qigong exercise in medical research, which has been investigated as a supplementary treatment in over 100 studies.DeepSeek produced a wellorganized essay that effectively summarized prior research on baduanjin.However, the references it provided were entirely inaccurate, as DeepSeek lacks access to specialized databases and cannot generate reliable citations.For the second task, DeepSeek was asked to summarize how the Yang 24 tai chi form has been used in medical studies to address various health conditions.Once again, it delivered a coherent and well-structured essay that accurately synthesized prior research.However, the references it included, while plausible in appearance, were fabricated.Notably, DeepSeek voluntarily disclosed its inability to provide accurate references and explained the limitations of its capabilities, offering a valuable warning to users about the unreliability of its citations.The study concludes that DeepSeek is a powerful tool for summarizing and organizing complex research literature, demonstrating an ability to explain intricate concepts and provide comprehensive analyses.For instance, while a human scholar might identify three or four subtopics within a given subject, DeepSeek can often identify six or seven, offering a broader perspective.However, its inability to provide accurate citations limits its reliability.As such, DeepSeek is best utilized as a supplementary research tool and a starting point for further investigation, rather than a definitive source for scholarly work.