Zapping the Brain Fog: Acupuncture for Hip Fracture Patients?

Forget what you think you know about acupuncture—it’s not just for sore backs or stress relief anymore. In fact, a bold new clinical trial out of Shanghai is asking a surprisingly modern question: can electroacupuncture help prevent postoperative brain fog in elderly hip fracture patients?

That “brain fog” has a name—perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND)—and it’s no joke. Affecting as many as 50% of older adults after surgery, PND can show up as memory lapses, confusion, or even full-on delirium, sometimes persisting for weeks or months. It’s a rising concern in geriatric orthopedics—and now, a team of Chinese researchers is testing whether a time-honored remedy with a modern twist could be the answer.