Stimulated by 10 reports from March to September 2026.[1–10] See if you can guess the case from which this image is taken. AE – adverse eventGPAC – Gram-positive anaerobic coccusIF – impact factorCT – computed tomographyCECT – contrast-enhanced computed tomographyMTP – metatarsophalangealCXR – chest X-ray – key to acronyms I have been accumulating this sample … Continue reading Adverse events 2026
Stimulated by Milia et al 2026.[1] Photo by Mo Hassanein on Pexels.com T2DM – type 2 diabetes mellitusEA – electroacupuncturePCOS – polycystic ovarian syndromePMOS – polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndromeIF – impact factorRCT – randomised controlled trialMA – manual acupuncture – key to acronyms I first heard about the possibility of EA influencing insulin sensitivity in … Continue reading Acupuncture for T2DM 2026
Stimulated by Zheng et al 2026.[1] This is one of the colour versions of the Fashion variety. I think a black one like this was used in the trial. TEAS – transcutaneous electrical acupuncture point stimulationPONV – post-operative nausea and vomitingIF – impact factorRCT – randomised controlled trialIV – intravenousGA – general anaesthesiaNRS – numerical … Continue reading TEAS vs metoclopramide for PONV 2026
Stimulated by Gao et al 2026.[1] Protocol used in Liu et al 2012.[2] EA – electroacupunctureMA – manual acupunctureUSCC – ultra severe chronic constipationSCC – severe chronic constipationCACMS – China Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesIF – impact factorCSBM – complete spontaneous bowel movementMCID – minimal clinically important differenceOIC – opioid-induced constipation – key to acronyms … Continue reading EA vs Prucalopride in USCC 2025
Stimulated by Lee et al 2025.[1] PC6 – the acupuncture point Pericardium 6PONV – post-operative nausea and vomitingTSA – trial sequential analysisNMA – network meta-analysisPON – post-operative nausea (incidence)POV – post-operative vomiting (incidence)CI – confidence interval – key to acronyms It has been 10 years since the last update of this Cochrane review,[2] and this … Continue reading PC6 for PONV 2025
Stimulated by Dong et al 2025.[1] Graphical abstract from Dong et al 2025.[1] EA – electroacupunctureGI – gastrointestinal function (but mainly gastric here)IF – impact factorDMV – dorsal motor nucleus of the vagusChAT – choline O-acetyltransferaseGECI – genetically encoded calcium indicatorGCaMP6s – a fusion protein combining a fluorescent reporter, a calcium binding protein, and a … Continue reading EA and GI function 2025
Stimulated by Yu et al 2025.[1] Photo by Matthew Zheng on Pexels.com EA – electroacupunctureS-AGI – sepsis-induced acute gastrointestinal injuryICU – intensive care unitIF – impact factorPSM – propensity score matchingHR – hazard ratioAPACHE – acute physiology and chronic health evaluationAPACHE-II – a score applied to patients on admission to ICU for risk stratificationTCM – … Continue reading EA for S-AGI
Stimulated by Yang et al 2025.[1] IBS – irritable bowel syndromeIBS-D – diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndromeBUCM – Beijing University of Chinese MedicineMA – manual acupunctureBSFS – Bristol stool form scale – key to acronyms This is a paper from a well-known research group based in BUCM. It reports a multicentre trial, so the authors cover … Continue reading Acupuncture for IBS-D
Stimulated by Chen et al 2024.[1] Diagram by MC illustrating the treatment used in the trial by Chen et al 2024.[1] TEAS – transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (ie a form of TENS)TENS – transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulationCVA – cerebrovascular accidentIF – impact factorRCT – randomised controlled trialICU – intensive care unitGCS – Glasgow coma scaleGI … Continue reading TEAS after CVA surgery
Inspired by Zhao et al 2024.[1] AI generated collage from ancient Rome...The Rome IV diagnostic criteria were used to evaluate patients with suspected refractory IBS. IBS – irritable bowel syndromeRCT – randomised controlled trialMA – manual acupunctureIBS-SSS – IBS symptom severity scale – key to acronyms This is a multicentre RCT from China (Beijing and … Continue reading Acupuncture for refractory IBS
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