Acupuncture plus donepezil in AD 2026

Elderly man leaning on river railing looking at Shanghai skyline at sunset

Stimulated by Kong et al 2026.[1] An elderly man gazes thoughtfully at Shanghai's skyline during sunset – an AI generated image. AD – Alzheimer’s diseaseRCT – randomised controlled trialIF – impact factorCDR – clinical dementia ratingMA – manual acupunctureEA – electroacupunctureADAS-cog 12 – AD assessment scale, cognitive subscale, 12 item versionMMSE – mini mental state … Continue reading Acupuncture plus donepezil in AD 2026

Acupuncture for DOR 2026

Stimulated by Wang et al 2026.[1] AI generated image used in a previous blog post – see SCs in endometriosis pain 2024. DOR – diminished ovarian reserveRCT – randomised controlled trialIF – impact factorCACMS – China Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesAMH – anti-Müllerian hormoneAFC – antral follicle countSAS – self-rating anxiety scaleIQR – interquartile range … Continue reading Acupuncture for DOR 2026

Plantar fasciitis 2026

Stimulated by Wang et al 2026.[1] Image by Cristian Newman on Unsplash. PF – plantar fasciitisPHP – plantar heel painIF – impact factorCACMS – China Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesRCT – randomised controlled trialEA – electroacupunctureMA – manual acupunctureCI – confidence interval – key to acronyms It has been almost 6 years to the day … Continue reading Plantar fasciitis 2026

Acupuncture for BMS 2026

Stimulated by Sato et al 2026.[1] Photo by Lindsey Franzke on Unsplash. BMS – burning mouth syndromeRCT – randomised controlled trialIF – impact factorACUSAR – acupuncture for seasonal allergic rhinitisARC – acupuncture in routine care (part of the Modellvorhaben Akupunktur)BDI-II – Beck Depression Inventory IIVAS – visual analogue scaleANOVA – analysis of variance – key … Continue reading Acupuncture for BMS 2026

Acupuncture for vulvodynia 2026

Stimulated by Schlaeger et al 2026.[1] Acupuncture protocol for vulvodynia used in Schlaeger et al 2026,[1] and Schlaeger et al 2015.[2] RCT – randomised controlled trialIF – impact factorTYN – Takakura and Yajima needleMPQ – McGill pain questionnaire (computerised version)PINS – pain intensity number scale (0–10)API – average pain intensity (mean of current, least and … Continue reading Acupuncture for vulvodynia 2026

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

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

EA for chronic neck pain 2025

Stimulated by Li et al 2025.[1] Photo by Matthew Zheng on Pexels.com EA – electroacupunctureIF – impact factorAPC – article publishing charge (cost to the authors or their institution for publishing a paper)SEA – sham electroacupunctureWL – waiting listNPQ – Northwick Park neck pain questionnaireMCID – minimal clinically important differenceSF-MPQ – short form McGill pain … Continue reading EA for chronic neck pain 2025

Acupuncture for MwoA 2025

Stimulated by Sun et al 2025.[1] Photo by Tom fly on Pexels.com MwoA – migraine without auraIF – impact factorRCT – randomised controlled trialHIT-6 – headache impact test 6MSQ – migraine specific questionnaireCGRP – calcitonin gene-related peptideRR50 – responder rate 50 (a 50% or more reduction in the relevant metric)VAS – visual analogue scale – … Continue reading Acupuncture for MwoA 2025