Statins controversies, diabetes risk
Statins are widely prescribed to lower cholesterol in order to prevent blockage of coronary arteries. They do carry some risks though! Click through to read the discussion. from the NYtimes Statins, which help lower levels of LDL (or “bad” cholesterol) in the blood, can cause side effects such as headache, muscle pain, brain fog and…
Read MoreMore on Doctored Images in Research Studies
To follow up on the blog post about the doctored images in a landmark study on Alzheimer’s, this article Is written by a scientist who took it upon herself to look through thousands of journal articles in search of photoshopped and altered images. The Times attempted to contact the lead scientists of the retracted papers…
Read MoreCan acupuncture improve objective sleep indices in patients with primary insomnia? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Nice study. Other sleep study here, and here Zhao FY, Fu QQ, Kennedy GA, Conduit R, Zhang WJ, Wu WZ, Zheng Z. Can acupuncture improve objective sleep indices in patients with primary insomnia? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Med. 2021 Apr;80:244-259. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2021.01.053. Epub 2021 Feb 2. PMID: 33610071. Abstract Background: The efficacy of acupuncture for…
Read MoreTranscutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Improves Inflammation but Does Not Interfere with Cardiac Modulation and Clinical Symptoms of Individuals with COVID-19:
When I went to the Neuromodulation conference in May in Barcelona, there was a presentation by someone from Sevilla, who showed improvement in symptoms in patients in the hospital with Covid. Since inflammation plays such a key role in Covid 19 symptoms and disability, any safe means of decreasing inflammation would be welcome. TAVNS can…
Read MoreDifferent Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Parameters Modulate the Anti-Inflammatory Effects on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Inflammation in Mice
In this study, the researchers were measuring inflammatory marker levels as a function of the frequency of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation. They found that 15HZ caused a marked reduction in LPS inflammatory response compared to 25 hz. I will have to try this in the clinic! (Not on mice of course…) Go YY, Ju…
Read MoreEffect of Transcutaneous Vagal Nerve Stimulation and Deep Breathing on HRV
Both deep breathing and TAVNS increased HRV in this study. I discourage patients’ deep breathing while I’m measuring their HRV during acupuncture treatment or acupuncture with TAVNS. The deep breathing distorts the readings wildly. I don’t make a practice of measuring HRV after the intervention has stopped. Maybe I should!! Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and…
Read MoreEffects of Acupuncture on Heart Rate Variability During Sleep: Comparison with Nonacupuncture Site Stimulation Using a Crossover Design.
This is a very nice study that looks at HRV during sleep comparing verum acupuncture with sham acupuncture. They find that there was a significant increase in parasympathetic activity during sleep (except during REM sleep). Heart rate also decreased. Previous studies have shown that acupuncture improves sleep, so here we see that this autonomic shift…
Read MoreDoes Running Really Harm Your Knees?
“Does Running Really Wreck Your Knees?” Contrary to popular opinion, distance running rarely causes knee problems in runners, and often leaves joints sturdier and less damaged. Study after study indicates running rarely causes or exacerbates arthritis in most runners’ knees, even older runners, who are at relatively high risk for arthritis. Can running build stronger…
Read MoreFlaws in Alzheimers Research
This is an important story. For those who have an interest in science and scientific research I highly recommend that you read the article from Science. It reads like a gripping detective story, but is quite chilling. I had been aware that there was controversy about the role of amyloid plaques in Alzheimer’s research. But…
Read MoreDetermination of the Effects of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on the Heart Rate Variability Using a Machine Learning Pipeline.
This study is of keen interest to me since I’ve been trying to figure out which parameter is most reflective of TAVNS effect. In my last poster, I had identified LF/HF as the most pertinent measure. I’m glad to see that they come to the same conclusion! There are so many variables in this research,…
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