Stimulated by Chen et al 2026.[1] Taken from Figure 2 in Chen et al 2026.[1] EA – electroacupuncturePHN – postherpetic neuralgiaIF – impact factorNRS – numerical rating scaleSD – standard deviationMCID – minimum clinically important differenceNMA – network meta-analysisPSQI – Pittsburgh sleep quality index – key to acronyms This is the largest (n=448) study on … Continue reading EA for PHN 2026
Inspired by Ter et al 2026.[1] Photo by How-Soon Ngu on Unsplash. CIPN – chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathyEA – electroacupunctureMSKCC – Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterCTCAE – common terminology criteria for adverse events (from the US NCI)NCI – National Cancer Institute (US)ADLs – activities of daily livingMA – manual acupunctureNPSI – neuropathic pain symptom inventoryVAS – … Continue reading Acupuncture for CIPN 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
Stimulated by Zhang et al 2026.[1] Figure 1 from Yu et al 2023.[2] EA – electroacupunctureIF – impact factorWDR – wide dynamic rangeSD – Sprague DawleyCFA – complete Freund’s adjuvant (an oily antigenic mixture including heat-killed mycobacteria)PWR – paw withdrawal thresholdAAV – adeno-associated virusRVM – rostral ventromedial medullaGABA – gamma amino butyric acidChR2 – channel rhodopsin … Continue reading Contralateral EA and descending controls 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
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
Stimulated by Yu et al 2025.[1] Image from part of Figure 1 in Yu et al 2023.[2] EA – electroacupunctureCACMS – China Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesIF – impact factorJIM – Journal of Integrated MedicineJCIM – Journal of Chinese Integrated MedicineCJIM – Chinese Journal of Integrated MedicineCFA – complete Freund’s adjuvant (an oily antigenic mixture including heat-killed mycobacteria)SD … Continue reading EA for muscle tenderness 2026
Stimulated by Li et al 2025.[1] Re-edited version of the image used in the Oliveira 2018,[2] illustrating the position of the needle placement described in the current paper. The gluteus maximus muscle and the sacrotuberous ligament are faded so that the deeper structures can be seen. This image has been modified from the version used … Continue reading EPNS for PPUI 2025
Stimulated by Li et al 2025.[1] Part of one figure from Yao et al 2023.[2] PSD – post-stroke dysphagiaIF – impact factorWST – water swallowing test (30mls of warm water) – key to acronyms This is the third paper on PSD I have highlighted this year. It is a cohort study from China, which is … Continue reading Acupuncture for PSD 3 2025
Stimulated by Dunning et al 2025.[1] Figure 1 from the paper... or you wouldn't have believed me. EDN – electrical dry needlingOAK – OA kneeOA – osteoarthritisIF – impact factorPEDN – periosteal electrical dry needlingPIEDN – periosteal and intra-articular electrical dry needlingEA – electroacupunctureWMA – Western medical acupunctureTENS – transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulationSAE – serious … Continue reading EDN in OAK 2025
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