Acupuncture pre-IOL 2024

Inspired by Zamora-Brito et al 2024.[1] IOL – induction of labourMFM – Maternofetal MedicineIF – impact factorSOL – spontaneous onset of labourPROM – premature rupture of membranesCS – caesarean section – key to acronyms This paper in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology MFM (IF 3.8) comes from Barcelona and it comes out of … Continue reading Acupuncture pre-IOL 2024

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 CAD 2024

Inspired by Huang et al 2024.[1] Figure 1 from Ihle-Hansen et al 2023.[2]Calculation of carotid plaque score. CAD – carotid atherosclerotic diseaseUS – ultrasoundSCM – sternocleidomastoid (muscle)cIMT – carotid intima-media thicknessPS – plaque score (based on plaque thickness)PV – plaque volume (3D measure)GSM – grey-scale median (3D measure of fibrosis and hence plaque stability)PWV – … Continue reading Acupuncture for CAD 2024

Acupuncture and stroke risk in insomnia

Inspired by Huang et al 2024.[1] Visual abstract from Huang et al 2024.[1] IF – impact factorAPC – article publishing chargeNHIRD – national health insurance database (Taiwan)LGTD2000 – longitudinal generational tracking database from 2000NSAIDs – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugsaHR – adjusted hazard ratio – key to acronyms This is another large retrospective cohort study from Taiwan … Continue reading Acupuncture and stroke risk in insomnia

Fatal ISCA attributed to acupuncture

Stimulated by Lui et al 2024.[1] Figure 1B from Lui et al 2024.[1] ISCA – intramedullary spinal cord abscessIF – impact factorhvKp – hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniaeGLASS-EAR – Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Surveillance System on Emerging Antimicrobial Resistance ReportingST – sequence typeGI – gastrointestinal – key to acronyms This is an adverse event report from Chengdu … Continue reading Fatal ISCA attributed to acupuncture

Segmental acupuncture for rUTI 2024

Stimulated by Ots et al 2024.[1] The centre and right diagrams represent the protocol used in the trial.The diagram on the left is a segmental EA protocol favoured by MC. UTI – urinary tract infectionrUTI – recurrent UTIRCT – randomised controlled trialDZA – Deutsche Zeitschrift für Akupunktur – key to acronyms This is the largest … Continue reading Segmental acupuncture for rUTI 2024

Acupuncture vs BFT in FI

Stimulated by Ng et al 2024.[1] Photo by Coleen Rivas on Unsplash. This image is taken in the Super Tree Grove, which is one of the Gardens by the Bay, built on reclaimed land in Singapore Marina Bay. BFT – biofeedback therapyFI – faecal incontinencePFE – pelvic floor exercisesUCL – University College LondonIF – impact … Continue reading Acupuncture vs BFT in FI

Acupuncture for MMT reduction 2024

Stimulated by Lu et al 2024.[1] MMT – methadone maintenance treatmentIF – impact factorOUD – opioid use disorderVAS – visual analogue scaleQoL – quality of lifeNMA – network meta-analysisPOAS – protracted opioid abstinence syndrome – key to acronyms This is the second sham controlled trial of acupuncture published in Annals of Internal Medicine (IF 39.2) … Continue reading Acupuncture for MMT reduction 2024

Acupuncture AE at Huatuojiaji

Stimulated by Jeong et al 2024.[1] Needling the multifidus muscle at one finger breadth from the midline. On the right side the needle aims correctly towards the lamina and on the left the lamina is missed. AE – adverse eventIF – impact factorKMD – Korean medical doctorCXR – chest x-ray (film)CT – computed tomography – … Continue reading Acupuncture AE at Huatuojiaji