Aromatase inhibitors, joint pain and acupuncture 2022

Inspired by Hershman et al JAMA Network Open 2022.[1] AI – aromatase inhibitorBPI – brief pain inventoryBPI-WP – brief pain inventory worst pain key to acronyms When this paper popped up on my searches, I was surprised to find that I had not written about AI-related joint pain since the JAMA paper by the same … Continue reading Aromatase inhibitors, joint pain and acupuncture 2022

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

Idiopathic facial palsy 2022

Inspired by Yang et al and Shi et al 2022.[1,2] Scottish neurophysiologist Sir Charles Bell was the first author to describe the anatomical basis for facial paralysis, and has since served as the eponym for Bell's palsy. Bell’s palsy – idiopathic facial palsyMA – manual acupunctureEA – electroacupunctureH-B – House–Brachmann (a grading system for facial … Continue reading Idiopathic facial palsy 2022

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

Acupuncture and dementia risk in migraine

Inspired by Huang et al 2022.[1] Photo by Rad Cyrus on Unsplash. NHIRD – National Health Insurance Research Database (Taiwan)HR – hazard ratioaHR – adjusted hazard ratioSR – systematic reviewNMA – network meta-analysisEA – electroacupunctureMA – manual acupuncture key to acronyms It has been a while since I have seen one of these huge retrospective … Continue reading Acupuncture and dementia risk in migraine

The FAMOUS study 2022

Inspired by Gang et al 2022.[1] SMD – standardised mean difference (effect size)MA – manual acupunctureEA – electroacupunctureTENS – transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulationTEAS – TENS over acupuncture points key to acronyms This is the ninth of the BMJ Series of papers titled Acupuncture: How to improve the evidence base. It comes with the less than … Continue reading The FAMOUS study 2022

Sham acupuncture in chronic pain

Inspired by Zhou et al 2022.[1] Photo by Sven Mieke on Unsplash. MA – meta-analysisNMA – network meta-analysisIPDM – individual patient data meta-analysisRA – real acupunctureSA – sham acupunctureNPSA – non-penetrative SAPSA – penetrative SANA – no acupunctureRCT – randomised controlled trialHRQoL – health-related quality of lifeANCOVA – analysis of covarianceES – effect sizeEA – … Continue reading Sham acupuncture in chronic pain

Acupuncture for ARC 2022

Inspired by Tu et al 2022.[1] Photo by Anton Nikolov on Unsplash. ARC – acute renal colicBUCM – Beijing University of Chinese MedicineIF – impact factorMA – manual acupunctureIM – intramuscular (injection – a route for administering drugs)NSAID – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugaka – also known asde qi – typical needling sensation perceived by the patient … Continue reading Acupuncture for ARC 2022

Acupuncture for CIPN 2022

Inspired by Friedemann et al 2022.[1] CIPN – chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathyNCS – nerve conduction studiesMA – manual acupunctureEA – electroacupunctureSNAP – sensory nerve action potentialSNCV – sensory nerve conduction velocityPROMs – patient reported outcome measuresMYMOP2 – measure yourself medical outcome profile 2 key to acronyms I think I heard one of the authors of this … Continue reading Acupuncture for CIPN 2022