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

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 for DLSS

Stimulated by Zhu et al 2024.[1] DLSS – degenerative lumbar spinal stenosisIF – impact factorRCT – randomised controlled trialNRS – numerical rating scaleRMDQ – Roland Morris disability questionnaireMCID – minimum clinical important differenceSSSQ – Swiss spinal stenosis questionnaire – key to acronyms This paper in Annals of Internal Medicine (IF 39.2) reports on a multi-centre … Continue reading Acupuncture for DLSS

Acupuncture for sleep in PD 2024

Stimulated by Yan et al 2024.[1] PD – Parkinson’s diseaseIF – impact factorRCT – randomised controlled trialPDSS – Parkinson’s disease sleep scaleUPDRS-III – unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale part 3 (motor examination)MCID – minimum clinical important difference – key to acronyms This paper in JAMA Network Open (IF 10.5) reports on a single-centre sham controlled … Continue reading Acupuncture for sleep in PD 2024

Acupuncture in the ED 2024

Stimulated by Eucker et al 2024.[1] Photo by Charles Givens on Unsplash. ED – emergency departmentNC – North CarolinaIF – impact factorRCT – randomised controlled trialMSK – musculoskeletalBFA – battlefield acupunctureASP – Aiguille d’acupuncture Semi-PermanenteNRS – numerical rating scaleMCID – minimal clinically important differenceLBP – low back painEA – electroacupuncture – key to acronyms This … Continue reading Acupuncture in the ED 2024

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