Brain topology turning points over the human lifespan

Stimulated by Mousley et al 2025.[1] IF – impact factorMR – magnetic resonanceDTI – diffusion tensor imaging3D – three dimensional2D – two dimensionalGMV – grey matter volumeWMV – white matter volumeTCV – total cerebral volume – key to acronyms I heard a news item on this research on BBC Radio 4 at the beginning of … Continue reading Brain topology turning points over the human lifespan

Pneumonia risk in stroke patients on PPIs

Stimulated by Wang et al 2025.[1] Photo by Robina on Unsplash. PPIs – proton pump inhibitorsIF – impact factorCDI – Clostridium difficile infectionSIBO – small intestinal bacterial overgrowthPD – Parkinson’s diseaseGERD – gastroesophageal reflex diseaseOR – odds ratio – key to acronyms I have come to quite like the large retrospective cohort studies that have been published in … Continue reading Pneumonia risk in stroke patients on PPIs

Acupuncture for PSD 3 2025

Stimulated by Li et al 2025.[1] Part of one figure from Yao et al 2023.[2] PSD – post-stroke dysphagiaIF – impact factorWST – water swallowing test (30mls of warm water) – key to acronyms This is the third paper on PSD I have highlighted this year. It is a cohort study from China, which is … Continue reading Acupuncture for PSD 3 2025

Acupuncture and mortality in IHD 2025

Stimulated by Jun et al 2025.[1] Image of Mireuksaji Stone Pagoda, Iksan. IHD – ischaemic heart diseaseCVD – cardiovascular diseaseKIOM – Korean Institute of Oriental Medicinedoi – digital object identifierrTPA – recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (aka Alteplase)DALY – disability-adjusted life yearCHA₂DS₂-VASc score – a scoring system that predicts the risk of CV eventsVIM – variability … Continue reading Acupuncture and mortality in IHD 2025

EA vs Prucalopride in USCC 2025

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

EA for hot flushes 2025

Stimulated by Wang et al 2025.[1] AI generated image. EA – electroacupunctureMA – manual acupunctureJIM – the Journal of Integrative MedicineIF – impact factorJICM – the Journal of Integrative and Complementary MedicineJACM – the Journal of Alternative and Complementary MedicineHF – hot flashes or flushesPCOS – polycystic ovarian syndromePOI – primary ovarian insufficiencyPOF – primary … Continue reading EA for hot flushes 2025

EA for post-RARP UI

Stimulated by Niu et al 2025.[1] Photo by Cheng Shi Song on Pexels.com – skyline of Nanjing. EA – electroacupunctureRARP – robot-assisted radical prostatectomyUI – urinary incontinenceUC – urinary continenceIF – impact factorRCT – randomised controlled trial – key to acronyms This week we have another paper from JAMA Network Open (IF 9.7). This time … Continue reading EA for post-RARP UI

TCM vs flunarizine in MwoA 2025

Stimulated by Liu et al 2025.[1] TCM – traditional Chinese medicine (acupuncture and CHM)CHM – Chinese herbal medicineMwoA – migraine without auraRCT – randomised controlled trialMMD – monthly migraine days (from a 4-week headache diary)EA – electroacupunctureRR50 – responder rate 50 (a 50% or more reduction in MMD)NMA – network meta-analysis – key to acronyms … Continue reading TCM vs flunarizine in MwoA 2025

PC6 for PONV 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

Acupuncture for cLBP 2025

Stimulated by DeBar et al 2025.[1] Photo of Multnomah Falls in Oregan by Makayla Asuncion from Pexels. cLBP – chronic low back painIF – impact factorEA – enhanced acupuncture (rather confusing I’m afraid)SA – standard electroacupunctureUMC – usual medical careRMDQ – Roland-Morris Disability QuestionnaireMCID – minimal clinically important differencePEG – pain, enjoyment, and general activity … Continue reading Acupuncture for cLBP 2025