Research in acupuncture practice can be incredibly useful for practitioners. It informs them about the latest advancements and supports their decision-making process based on evidence.
Unlike other medical fields such as epidemiology, where cohort studies or cross-sectional studies are typically emphasized, acupuncture focuses on different types of studies. Here are the three types of research publications that are most important for acupuncture practitioners:
Publication(research) type for cacupuncture practitioners
1. Actual treatment modalities "case reports"[pt]
2. Efficacy for decision making : use filter - check: meta analysis, RCT
3. Basic informations : use filter - check : review or "review"[pt]
1. Case Reports
Scenario : Imagine you are treating a patient with a specific condition, and there is limited information in the textbook about the treatment. In the past, you might have consulted a supervisor or senior colleague, but now you can utilize the power of case reports. These reports can offer unique insights into the treatment of rare conditions or novel applications of acupuncture techniques. In PubMed, simply search for your topic of interest and add "case reports"[pt] to your search query. For a more detailed guide on using case reports for practice, you can refer to [link not provided].
Case reports provide detailed information on actual treatment modalities in specific situations. They can be found in PubMed by adding "case reports"[pt] to your search query.
Using case report for the practice, is well instructed in the link below;
https://acupunctureherbalmedicine.blogspot.com/2023/04/why-acupuncturists-need-to-dive-into.html
2. Meta-Analysis and Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)
Scenario : Suppose a patient asks about a new diet or exercise modality, and you need to provide evidence-based advice. You may also need to make a clinical decision based on robust evidence. In this case, you should limit your search to RCTs and meta-analyses. These studies can provide a high level of evidence about the effectiveness and safety of the proposed intervention.
These types of studies are vital for decision-making as they present a high level of evidence on the effectiveness of certain interventions. In PubMed, you can filter these studies by checking the boxes for meta-analysis and RCT under the "Article types" filter.
3. Review Articles:
Scenario 3: If you need to learn about a certain topic but you have no prior knowledge, you should start with review articles. These articles provide an overview of the topic, including the most important developments and recent trends. They are typically written by experts in the field, ensuring the information is reliable and comprehensive. To find review articles on PubMed, add "review"[pt] to your search query. From these articles, you can gain fundamental and updated knowledge about the topic.
Review articles give a comprehensive overview of a particular topic, usually written by leading figures in the field. In PubMed, you can filter these studies by checking the boxes for meta-analysis and RCT under the "Article types" filter. Or in PubMed, add "review"[pt] to your search query.
In summary, by leveraging the different types of research articles - case reports, meta-analyses, RCTs, and review articles - you can effectively update your knowledge and improve your practice in acupuncture based on the most recent and high-quality evidence.