Acupuncture for axial spondyloarthritis 2026

Stimulated by Kwan et al 2026.[1] AI generated image to illustrate axSpA. axSpA – axial spondyloarthritisIF – impact factorRCT – randomised controlled trialEULAR – European Alliance of Associations for RheumatologySI – sacroiliacNRS – numerical rating scaleBASDAI – Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity indexBASFI – Bath functional indexBAS-G – Bath ankylosing spondylitis global scoreHAQ – health … Continue reading Acupuncture for axial spondyloarthritis 2026 →

Deep acupuncture in LDH 2026

Stimulated by Hao et al 2026.[1] LDH – lumbar disc herniationRCT – randomised controlled trialBUCM – Beijing University of Chinese MedicineVAS – visual analogue scaleSP – spinous process of the vertebra (the lower border in this case)DN – deep needling group (needles placed at 1 cun lateral to the SP and 60 to 70mm deep)CN … Continue reading Deep acupuncture in LDH 2026 →

EA for hand OA 2026

Inspired by Wang et al 2026.[1] EA – electroacupunctureOA – osteoarthritisRCT – randomised controlled trialMA – manual acupunctureDSG – diclofenac sodium gelMCPjs – metacarpophalangeal jointsVAS – visual analogue scaleMCID – minimum clinically important differenceOTC – over the counter (used for medications available to buy without a prescription)QDS – quarter die sumendum (“to be taken 4 … Continue reading EA for hand OA 2026 →

Acupuncture HT and stroke recurrence 2026

Stimulated by Liu et al 2026.[1] Tianjin Eye on the Hai river. Photo by Vishnu Panday on Pexels.com HT – hypertensionRCT – randomised controlled trialIF – impact factorBP – blood pressureSBP – systolic BPDBP – diastolic BPXNKQ – Xing Nao Kai Qiao (needling method and formula for stroke)HXSF – Huo Xue San Feng (needling method and … Continue reading Acupuncture HT and stroke recurrence 2026 →

EA for SF-NR 2026

Stimulated by Wei et al 2026.[1] Image from Slashme on Wikipedia.This is an image of the fruit of Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) split open to show the seed with the surrounding aril (also known as mace). I cannot help thinking it looks a bit like a heart. EA – electroacupunctureSF-NR – slow flow / no-reflow (refers to inadequate myocardial perfusion post-PCI)PCI … Continue reading EA for SF-NR 2026 →

EA for QoL in gastric cancer 2026

Stimulated by Zhu et al 2026.[1] Photo by Mitchell Luo on Unsplash.From a previous blog that is worth revisiting. EA – electroacupunctureQoL – quality of lifeHRQoL – health-related quality of lifeIF – impact factorRCT – randomised controlled trialHBV – hepatitis B virusHDV – hepatitis D virusFACT-Ga – functional assessment of cancer therapy – gastricTOI – trial outcome indexDFS … Continue reading EA for QoL in gastric cancer 2026 →

Acupuncture in the ED 2026

Stimulated by Eucker et al 2025 and Neilsen et al 2026.[1,2] Photo by Charles Givens on Unsplash. ED – emergency departmentIF – impact factorRCT – randomised controlled trialMSK – musculoskeletalBFA – battlefield acupunctureNRS – numerical rating scaleEA – electroacupunctureABVN – auricular branch of the vagus nerveNTS – nucleus tractus solitarius – key to acronyms This … Continue reading Acupuncture in the ED 2026 →

Acupuncture saves costs in cLBP 2026

Stimulated by Herman et al 2026.[1] This is the visual abstract from the main paper reporting the trial (DeBar et al 2025).[2] cLBP – chronic low back painIF – impact factorCEA – cost-effectiveness analysisCUA – cost-utility analysisEA – enhanced acupuncture (rather confusing I’m afraid)SA – standard electroacupunctureUMC – usual medical careRMDQ – Roland-Morris Disability QuestionnaireMCID … Continue reading Acupuncture saves costs in cLBP 2026 →

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 →

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 →