EA vs metformin for IR in PCOS 2024

Inspired by Cao et al 2023.[1] With thanks to Deniah for the image. EA – electroacupunctureIR – insulin resistancePCOS – polycystic ovary syndromeBMI – body mass indexHOMA-IR – homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistanceAUC – area under curve key to acronyms I have a blog category for PCOS, but the last post on the topic … Continue reading EA vs metformin for IR in PCOS 2024

Patient–practitioner interactions 2024

Stimulated by Ko et al 2023.[1] A sketch of the treatment room interaction by MC. See below for key to acronyms in this diagram. PPI – patient­–practitioner interactionsWM – Western medicineCM – Chinese medicinePoPS – principles of point selectionWMA – Western medical acupunctureRI – Royal Institution (the place where they do the Christmas Lectures)OA – … Continue reading Patient–practitioner interactions 2024

TEAS vs dexamethasone in PONV

Stimulated by Zhang et al 2023.[1] Diagram by MC illustrating TEAS applied to PC6 in a patient following breast surgery. TEAS – transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (ie a form of TENS)TENS – transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulationPONV – post-operative nausea and vomitingCI – confidence intervalIV – intravenous key to acronyms This paper came out in June … Continue reading TEAS vs dexamethasone in PONV

Acupuncture and obesity 2023

Stimulated by Fumagalli et al 2023 and Landgraaf et al 2023.[1,2] Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Pexels.com VLCD – very low calorie dietBMI – body mass indexPCOS – polycystic ovarian syndrome key to acronyms I have to say that I have never been particularly interested in obesity or its treatments, and certainly not the use … Continue reading Acupuncture and obesity 2023

EA for intestinal barrier function in IBS and UC 2023

Stimulated by Liu et al 2023.[1] Volcano plots from Figure 1 of Liu et al 2023.[1] EA – electroacupunctureIBS – irritable bowel syndromeUC – ulcerative colitisDSS – dextran sodium sulphateDEGs – differentially expressed genesGSEA – gene set enrichment analysis key to acronyms This paper came up in one of my searches in the last week … Continue reading EA for intestinal barrier function in IBS and UC 2023

EA for OIC

Stimulated by Wang et al 2023.[1] EA protocol used for OIC in Wang et al 2023.[1]Diagram by MC. EA – electroacupunctureOIC – opioid-induced constipationCSFC – chronic severe functional constipation5-HT – 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin)TEAS – TENS applied to acupuncture points (ie TENS)TENS – transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulationSCC – severe chronic constipationCSBM – complete spontaneous bowel movementSBM – … Continue reading EA for OIC

EA for PSD

Stimulated by Yao et al 2023.[1] PSD – post-stroke dysphagiaIF – impact factorEA – electroacupunctureaka – also known asROS – reactive oxygen speciesM1 – primary motor cortexPBN – parabrachial nucleusNTS – nucleus tractus solitarius key to acronyms I am pretty selective about choosing laboratory studies to highlight on the blog. I do not have direct … Continue reading EA for PSD

EA for SU

...in neurocritical patients. Inspired by Li et al 2022.[1] Potential mean saving of £10 000 per patient through use of EA. Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com EA – electroacupunctureSU – stress ulcerationGI – gastrointestinal...VEGF – vascular endothelial growth factorHSP70 – heat shock protein 70TFF2 – trefoil factor family 2 key to acronyms This is quite … Continue reading EA for SU

EA for CIPN 2022

Inspired by Chan et al 2022.[1] Photo by How-Soon Ngu on Unsplash. EA – electroacupunctureMA – manual acupunctureCIPN – chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathyAiM – Acupuncture in MedicineFACT/GOG-Ntx – Functional Assessment of Chronic illness Therapy (Gynecologic Oncology Group) Neurotoxicity subscaleMSKCC – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center key to acronyms This week we stay on the topic of … Continue reading EA for CIPN 2022

EA for ERAS 2022

Inspired by Wang et al 2022.[1] EA protocol used in Wang et al 2022 (left), and what I would do in the same circumstances (right). EA – electroacupunctureERAS – enhanced recovery after surgeryPOI – postoperative ileusMA – manual acupunctureTEAS – transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (a form of TENS)TTNS – transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (a form … Continue reading EA for ERAS 2022