Acupuncture versus topiramate in chronic migraine 2024

Stimulated by Liu et al 2024.[1] IF – impact factorRCT – randomised controlled trialART – Acupuncture Randomised Trial (part of the Modellvorhaben Akupunktur)RR50 – responder rate 50 (50 refers to a reduction of 50% or more in headache days)MMDs – monthly migraine daysNICE – National Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceNMA – network meta-analysis – … Continue reading Acupuncture versus topiramate in chronic migraine 2024

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

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

EA for NVP 2023

Stimulated by Wu et al 2023.[1] EA – electroacupunctureNVP – nausea and vomiting of pregnancyPCOS – polycystic ovarian syndromeLisa SV – Professor Elisabet Stener-Victorin, Karolinska InstitutetPUQE – pregnancy unique quantification of emesisIF – impact factorGWAS – genome wide association studyhCG – human chorionic gonadotrophinGDF15 – growth/differentiation factor 15 key to acronyms This is the largest … Continue reading EA for NVP 2023

Acupuncture for MRM 2022

Inspired by Liu et al 2022.[1] Photo by Anh Nguyen on Unsplash. MRM – menstrual-related migraineMA – manual acupunctureRCT – randomised controlled trialRR50 – responder rate (% of patients with a reduction in headache days of 50% or more)AP – acupuncture point key to acronyms I almost skipped past this paper when it showed up … Continue reading Acupuncture for MRM 2022

EA vs metformin for IR in PCOS 2021

Inspired by Wen et al 2021.[1] Photo by Sebastian Pena Lambarri on Unsplash. The admittedly tenuous link to this week's blog is of course FINS, which feature in both. EA – electroacupunctureMA – manual acupunctureIR – insulin resistancePCOS – polycystic ovary syndromeRCT – randomised controlled trialBMI – body mass indexHOMA-IR – homeostatic model assessment of … Continue reading EA vs metformin for IR in PCOS 2021

Acupuncture for ARC 2021

Inspired by Zhang et al 2021.[1] Photo by Anton Nikolov on Unsplash. ARC – acute renal colicIF – impact factorMA – manual acupunctureIM – intramuscular (injection – a route for administering drugs)IV – intravenous (ditto)NSAID – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugCOX – cyclooxygenaseSEs – side effectsVAS – visual analogue scale (score) key to acronyms This is a … Continue reading Acupuncture for ARC 2021

Should I read a protocol?

Stimulated by Huang et al 2020.[1] Image by Kai Dahms on Unsplash. This is the first BMAS blog that highlights a protocol, rather than the results of research. I rarely read protocols! If it looks like a big study or I know the team, I might have a quick look at the abstract. Protocols really … Continue reading Should I read a protocol?

Acupuncture versus clomiphene controversy

Stimulated by Gao et al 2019.[1] Photo by The Honest Company on Unsplash.Well this little chap looks a little oriental to me, so as all the trials in the highlighted SR were performed in China, he seemed most appropriate. Much as I would have liked to let this one slide by unannounced, I feel obliged … Continue reading Acupuncture versus clomiphene controversy

Segmental EA falls short in ovulation induction

…in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) This blog was first published on 18th November 2017 on BMJ Blogs, but has subsequently been removed. Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Finally, I have come to address this topic, some months following publication of an eagerly awaited (at least by me) large clinical trial.[1] I have been a … Continue reading Segmental EA falls short in ovulation induction