SCs in endometriosis pain 2024

Inspired by Titiz et al 2024.[1] AI generated image. SCs – Schwann cellsIF – impact factorAMA – abdominal mechanical allodyniaPMA – periorbital mechanical allodyniaHMA – hind paw mechanical allodyniaC5a – a small soluble pro-inflammatory peptide that functions as an anaphylatoxinDAMPs – damage-associated molecular patternsC5aR1 – C5a receptor 1GPCR – G protein-coupled receptorNLRP1 – NOD-like receptor … Continue reading SCs in endometriosis pain 2024

Acupuncture in Alberta 2 2024

Inspired by Lu et al 2024.[1] Moraine Lake, Alberta, by John Lee on Unsplash. ABCHIP – Alberta Complementary Health Integration ProjectEQ-5D-5L – EuroQol Group 5D-5L instrument [2]QALY – quality adjusted life yearQoL – quality of lifeCEA – cost effectiveness analysisCBA – cost benefit analysisCAD – Canadian dollars – key to acronyms This paper reports the economic … Continue reading Acupuncture in Alberta 2 2024

EA astrocytes and CIPN 2024

Inspired by Chen et al 2024.[1] AI generated image of an astrocyte in the hippocampus. EA – electroacupunctureCIPN – chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathyIF – impact factorAAV – adeno-associated virusRVM – rostral ventromedial medullaDREADDs – designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugsIP3 – inositol triphosphatehPMCA2 – human plasma membrane Ca2+ channelZP – Zongping (an extra point 1cun … Continue reading EA astrocytes and CIPN 2024

Acupuncture for chronic sciatica 2024

Inspired by Tu et al 2024.[1] IF – impact factorBUCM – Beijing University of Chinese MedicineRCT – randomised controlled trialVAS – visual analogue scoreODI – Oswestry Disability IndexMCID – minimum important clinical difference – key to acronyms A general internal medicine physician colleague from UCLH picked up this paper from JAMA Internal Medicine (IF 39.0) … Continue reading Acupuncture for chronic sciatica 2024

Acupuncture for CP CPPS in drinkers

Inspired by Zhu et al 2024.[1] Points used in the trial adapted from Supplement 3 of the publication.[2] CP – chronic prostatitisCPPS – chronic pelvic pain syndromeRCT – randomised controlled trialMA – manual acupunctureNIH-CPSI – National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index – key to acronyms This is secondary analysis of a large RCT … Continue reading Acupuncture for CP CPPS in drinkers

Acupuncture for chronic neck pain 2024

Inspired by Zhao et al 2024.[1] RCT – randomised controlled trialPPT – pressure pain thresholdVAS – visual analogue scaleMCID – minimal clinically important difference – key to acronyms I reviewed this paper for Annals of Internal Medicine in September last year. It is a large 4 arm RCT (n=716) from a well-known group in Chengdu. … Continue reading Acupuncture for chronic neck pain 2024

Acupuncture in Alberta 2024

Inspired by Lu et al 2024.[1] Moraine Lake, Alberta, by John Lee on Unsplash. ABCHIP – Alberta Complementary Health Integration ProjectBPI – brief pain inventoryPSQI – Pittsburgh sleep quality indexPHQ9 – patient health questionnaire 9PROMIS – patient-reported outcomes measurement information system [2]SF – short formEQ-5D-5L – EuroQol Group 5D-5L instrument [3]NRS – numerical rating scaleQoL – … Continue reading Acupuncture in Alberta 2024

Acupuncture for DLSS

Stimulated by Zhu et al 2024.[1] DLSS – degenerative lumbar spinal stenosisIF – impact factorRCT – randomised controlled trialNRS – numerical rating scaleRMDQ – Roland Morris disability questionnaireMCID – minimum clinical important differenceSSSQ – Swiss spinal stenosis questionnaire – key to acronyms This paper in Annals of Internal Medicine (IF 39.2) reports on a multi-centre … Continue reading Acupuncture for DLSS

EA plus CBZ for TN 2024

Stimulated by Li et al 2024.[1] EA – electroacupunctureCBZ – carbamazepineTN – trigeminal neuralgiaIF – impact factorG – googletid – ter in die (latin for three times a day) – key to acronyms I chose this paper in the Journal of Neurology (IF 6.0) because the 2x2 factorial design is uncommon in acupuncture research from … Continue reading EA plus CBZ for TN 2024

MSK mimics of LS radiculopathy

Stimulated by Bateman et al 2024.[1] This is a section from the BMAS TrP chart with referral patterns relevant to the topic of this blog. MSK – musculoskeletalLS – lumbosacralIF – impact factorLBP – low back painDRG – dorsal root ganglionNCS – nerve conduction studiesEMG – electromyographyOA – osteoarthritisFAI – femoroacetabular impingementQL – quadratus lumborumICT … Continue reading MSK mimics of LS radiculopathy